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Innovative Solutions for a PFAS-Free Future
The debate around banning PFAS is accelerating in the pharmaceutical and medical technology sectors – and so is the search for safe material alternatives. RAUMEDIC is actively driving the development of PFAS-free solutions and already offers ultra-pure silicone components that meet the highest industry standards. This article explores the risks of PFAS, regulatory developments in the EU, and the innovation potential for companies that act early.
Not long ago, a world without PFAS seemed almost unimaginable. These chemicals are used nearly everywhere to enhance the properties of plastic products. However, the pharmaceutical and medical technology industries are now discussing the substitution of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and are actively seeking alternative materials. The reason: due to their risks to human health and the environment, these once-praised substances have come under scrutiny and are likely to disappear from the market sooner or later. Even the EU has begun to reassess the approval of these popular chemicals.
The anticipated end of PFAS will not mean the disappearance of heart catheters, endoscopes, tubes, implants, cannulas, and other standard medical components. On the contrary – a new market will emerge, offering clear advantages to innovative suppliers who reposition themselves early with reliable material alternatives.
RAUMEDIC is also actively advancing PFAS substitution and is already developing promising alternative materials. For example, the company offers stoppers and other components made from ultra-pure silicone that meet the highest standards of pharmaceutical and medical technology providers – all without the “typical PFAS side effects.
Silicone Stoppers from RAUMEDIC offer a PFAS free solution for a known product.
The soft cannulas from RAUMEDIC are also a great example for PFAS free possibilites.
PFAS – An Underestimated Danger
PFAS are used to make packaging, clothing, devices, and components durable, water- and dirt-repellent, heat-resistant, low-friction, or non-stick. The pharmaceutical and medical technology industries have benefited from these properties for decades. But today we know: per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances are extremely persistent and very difficult to eliminate. As a result, they are gradually spreading throughout our environment. PFAS have even been detected in food and the human body1.
The problem: PFAS are based on a very stable chemical bond between carbon and fluorine. As so-called “forever chemicals,” they degrade very slowly, if at all, in nature. A study2 by the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) found that long-chain PFAS can have a half-life of several years – more than enough time for these chemicals to accumulate in the environment, soil, water, and ultimately the human body.
One possible solution would be consistent and comprehensive recycling. However, breaking down PFAS requires a great deal of energy. Therefore, PFAS molecules must be destroyed using high-temperature treatments in specialized waste incineration plants – a technically complex and costly process. Moreover, neither bacteria, water, air, nor light can fully degrade PFAS molecules.
Daniel Mielert, Head of Injection & Dosing Devices and Complex Tube Sets
With our experience in developing medical components and materials, RAUMEDIC is in an excellent position. This allows us to play a key role in the new PFAS-free market and set early benchmarks with alternative materials. Through our material innovations and customer-specific services, we specifically target providers who lack their own development resources.
PFAS are now ubiquitous in our environment3. They permanently contaminate our water and soil – not just where they are produced or improperly disposed of, but worldwide. PFAS have even spread to the Arctic4 via air and water. These chemicals can now be found in our daily food and drinking water5, as they are absorbed by plants and animals through the food chain.
It’s no surprise that various studies link PFAS to numerous health issues. The European Environment Agency, for example, cites potential liver damage, thyroid disorders, obesity, fertility problems, and cancer6. The Bio-Pro Regulatory Guide for the Health Industry in Baden-Württemberg7 also reports weakened immune defenses, less effective vaccinations, increased infection risks, and possible hormonal effects. PFAS can also cause developmental disorders and behavioral abnormalities in children, reduce birth weight in infants, and more.
An insightful article published on May 14, 2025, in the trade journal DeviceMed explores the opportunities and risks of PFAS substitution. It highlights the potential for sustainable transformation that could reshape the European healthcare industry and create new markets. The article also explains why companies that adapt quickly, flexibly, and innovatively to the new conditions can gain market share. You can read the full article here:
Sources:
[2] www.bfr.bund.de/cm/343/pfas-im-koerper-sind-nicht-alle-ewigkeitschemikalien-von-dauer.pdf
[3] www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/2546/publikationen/uba_sp_pfas_web_0.pdf
[4] www.umweltbundesamt.de/sites/default/files/medien/2546/publikationen/uba_sp_pfas_web_0.pdf
[6] www.eea.europa.eu/de/help/haeufig-gestellte-fragen-faq/was-sind-pfas-und-inwiefern
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