Albis at Fakuma 2026 PFAS-Free Materials and Recycled Solutions

At Fakuma 2026, distributor Albis will present material options that meet stricter EU requirements, such as PFAS restrictions, PPWR, and ELV. Processors will be offered material alternatives, including PFAS-free grades as well as recycled and mass-balanced polymers. A practical example demonstrates how metallic assemblies can be replaced in continuous operation.

From October 12 to 16, 2026, Albis will showcase specialized thermoplastics for the mobility, healthcare, electrical & electronics, and consumer & construction sectors at Fakuma 2026. The focus will be on the technical and economic evaluation of materials against the backdrop of stricter environmental and safety standards. In addition to mechanical and thermal properties such as chemical resistance and flame retardancy, regulatory expertise is also becoming increasingly important.

Regulatory Requirements for Material Selection

The transition to sustainable plastics is forcing injection molders and extruders to incorporate regulatory requirements into the assembly development process at an early stage. Among the hurdles are the planned EU-wide PFAS restriction, regulations governing contact with food and drinking water, as well as quotas set forth in the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the End-of-Life Vehicles Regulation (ELV).

“For our customers, it’s no longer just a matter of which plastic works from a technical standpoint,” explains Horst Klink, CEO of the plastics distributor Albis. “What matters most is which solution best meets the overall requirements of a specific application—technically, regulatorily, and economically,” Klink emphasizes.

PFAS-free alternatives and component substitution

For applications in which fluorinated additives have traditionally been used to optimize friction and wear, PFAS-free and NIA-PFAS (“not intentionally added”) types are now coming into focus. As an example of an application, Albis showcases a two-gear design for airport baggage conveyor systems made from a PFAS-free Ultraform POM variant from BASF. 

The polymer solution replaces the previous metal design, reduces the component's weight, and lowers noise levels during operation. At the same time, the polyacetal material provides the required abrasion resistance and low friction coefficients without the use of fluorinated additives. 

Mass Balance and Use of Recycled Materials

To meet the future requirements of the ELV Directive in the automotive industry and the recycling rates specified by the PPWR, the portfolio also includes post-consumer recycled materials (PCR). In addition, ISCC-Plus-certified, mass-balanced polymers are available that replace fossil-based raw materials as a drop-in solution without changing the processing parameters on the injection molding machine. Verified environmental and product data help processors fully document the required evidence in accordance with the EmpCo guideline. (mg)