CEAMS CASE STUDY: CRP (Corrosion Resistant Products)

The Challenge

By the end of 2025, the European Union (EU) is expected to make a decision on a proposed ban of per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, a range of about 10,000 different chemicals, including fluoropolymers such as perfluoroalkoxy alkanes (PFA) and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).

If implemented, this would constitute one of the largest chemical bans in Europe. Concerns regarding the significant risks posed by some of these “forever chemicals” have been raised for some time, with growing evidence linking some to environmental damage, such as through soil and water contamination, as well as public health impacts.

PFA and PTFE are widely used for corrosion-resistant coatings and materials due to their valuable properties, including high chemical resistance, low surface energy, non-stick properties, and durability in harsh environments.

The proposed ban would have serious implications across several industries for the manufacture, sale and use of PFA/PFTE chemicals, both in their pure form and as formulations with other substances. Companies would be forced to seek alternative solutions, a challenge made more difficult by the fact that the unique combination of properties found in PFA/PTFE-based materials is difficult to replicate in other materials.

CRP (Corrosion Resistant Products) specialises in manufacturing and supplying corrosion-resistant equipment and utilises both PTFE and PFA as lining materials in their piping and broader equipment range. If no alternatives are implemented, companies using CRP products in their operations would need to source PFA/PTFE-free options from elsewhere, presenting an existential threat to the company.

The Solution

Through this CEAMS collaboration, a Senior Application Scientist from the Henry Royce Institute (Royce) conducted a 4-month study to identify suitable materials that could be used to replace, wholly or in-part, PTFE and PFA usage in CRP’s product line.

Alternative materials would need to have processing similarities to PFA and PTFE to minimise re-tooling costs and staff retraining; they would need to demonstrate high chemical resistance, particularly against typical corrosive chemicals; and any candidate materials would need to match against a list of required properties.

It was also critical to consider the performance, cost and availability of any suitable alternatives to assess the feasibility of using these materials in CRP’s daily operations.

The Impact

The project identified several candidate materials that could potentially replace PTFE/PFA in some limited duties, all of which could be processed by CRP. Notably, the project also highlighted that there are no like-for-like alternatives for PTFE and PFA currently available.

Through the CEAMS programme, the team at Royce provided the dedicated technical expertise required to review extensive literature, enabling CRP to make streamlined research and development decisions ahead of the potential EU chemical ban.

By helping companies navigate a shifting regulatory landscape, CEAMS has gained the opportunity to help shape the future of the chemical industry as it transitions towards a more sustainable future.