European Sealing Association prepares for PFAS public consultation

Neu-Ulm, Germany – The European Sealing Association (ESA) is preparing “a coordinated industry response” ahead of the public consultation by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) on restrictions on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

In a recent announcement, ESA said the process – set to start with a public consultation by the SEAC (Socio-Economic Analysis Committee) in March 2026 – will be different from ECHA’s first process.

Unlike the 14 specific sectors that have already undergone detailed assessment, the additional eight sectors – including sealing applications – will be asked to submit “general information rather than sector-specific data,” said ESA.

According to ESA, SEAC will impose “strict limitations” on the length of responses in its Q&A, with no attachments or data files accepted.

ESA said it is preparing “well in advance” to ensure the industry’s position is clearly reflected.

The association called on members to “contribute new, clear, factual and concise information – particularly insights different from those submitted during the first ECHA public consultation in 2023.”

To support members, ESA will share updates and case studies via its PFAS Information Hub.

Specifically, ESA said it is interested in examples where PFAS-free alternatives are "unavailable or inadequate", adding that socio-economic data on costs, operational risks and loss of performance would help strengthen the industry’s case.

ESA also encouraged members to submit technical evidence demonstrating the “unique properties and necessity” of fluoropolymer-based sealing materials.

The Neu-Ulm-based group stressed that member input was “vital” to ensuring SEAC and ECHA “fully understand the technical realities and socio-economic consequences of potential PFAS restrictions.”

Consolidated evidence, it said, will help present ‘credible arguments for derogations’ and highlight the role of fluoropolymers in industrial reliability and safety.

Case study: long-life seals in engines and turbines

As an example, ESA highlighted a recent Fraunhofer research showing the challenges in replacing fluoropolymers in demanding environments such as marine diesel engines, power generators and wind turbines.

Fluoropolymer-based seals are essential in applications requiring long operational lifetimes, ESA noted, with ship engines typically serviced every five years.

“PFAS-free alternatives generally fail much earlier under these conditions,” the association said, adding that fluoropolymer seals can operate for up to 40,000 hours without failure.

Another study by Noordermeer and Masen on rotary propeller seals in marine transport outlined several key performance requirements: continuous operation at ≥130°C, resistance to oil and saltwater, high mechanical strength and abrasion resistance, and stable behaviour at temperatures down to around 5°C.

Current non-fluorinated options — such as NBR, HNBR, ACM and CR — do not meet these “combined criteria”.

The study, therefore, concluded that “experiences over the past decades show that no alternatives exist that match the combination of characteristics required to substitute FKM.

“Replacing FKM in propeller shaft seals is practically not realistic and will require at least many years of research,” it said.