Belgium based leader in low pressure plasma technology Europlasma launched a new range of nanocoatings under the Nanofics 110 brand name.

Referring to nanoscaled functionalization into the core of complex shaped materials and products, Nanofics  is Europlasma’s patented and patent pending nanocoating technology platform, first  applied on industrial scale in 1998.

PFOA and PFOS free

The Nanofics 110 coatings are highly water and oil repellent type of nanocoatings deposited by low pressure plasma technology.

The unique aspect of these coatings is that they are free from PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as C8 and perfluorooctanoate) and PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid or perfluorooctane sulfonate) , meanwhile traditional nanocoatings with high levels of water and oil repellency are derived from long molecular chains which contain traces of PFOA and PFOS. There is a general trend to move away from these chemistries for health reasons.

Peter Martens, Europlasma’s product manager, explained: “ In wet chemical DWR (durable water repellent) coating of technical textiles the switch from longer to shorter molecules is already well advanced. It is only a matter of time until the same switch will take place in the nanocoating market.”

“Europlasma is now the first to offer  PFOA and PFOS free nanocoatings for technical textiles. And we are able to apply these coatings on an industrial scale.”

Nanofics 120

The Nanofics 110 coatings are an addition to the existing Nanofics 120 range of nanocoatings and other custom designed coating systems.  The Europlasma low pressure plasma machines have the flexibility to use both the Nanofics 110 and Nanofics 120 nanocoating systems.

This gives to the Europlasma customers the possibility to switch from one chemistry to another whenever there is a need for different coating specifications.

Filip Legein, Europlasma’s managing director, said: “ Europlasma was the first company to put an industrial nanocoater in the field in 1998. This low pressure plasma machine was already capable of depositing different types of fluoropolymer nanocoatings to repel water and oil. In 2003 Europlasma was the first company to deposit these nanocoatings on complex three dimensional structures instead of flat substrates, an invention that was patented by Europlasma.”

“Since 2003 Europlasma has brought many other patented and patent pending innovations to this market. Now Europlasma is the first company to realise the transition from longer to shorter chained chemistries in the nanocoating market.  I am proud that our team of engineers and scientists confirm Europlasma’s role as a true pioneer and innovator in this emerging industry.”

www.europlasma.be