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FP liner to cope with PTFE shortages

For more than 2 years, the world economy has been in crisis mode, due to the global impact of the Corona pandemic and the recent military conflict in Eastern Europe. Whereas the pandemic has already been causing massive disruptions on international markets, these have been significantly intensified by the conflict since the beginning of the year. As a result, raw material markets are subject to various, sometimes blatant price increases including material shortages. International supply chains are regularly interrupted. The further course and long-term consequences are as yet unforeseeable. Results of this are the current energy crisis and general shortage of raw materials. A striking example of the current shortage is the fluoropolymers, in particular the almost universally used fluoroplastic PTFE. Fluoropolymer tubing made of PTFE also plays an important role in GREMCO GmbH’s multi-layered product portfolio. However, we do have alternatives such as our FP liners for a large portion of the typical applications of PTFE tubing.

Shortage of PTFE: Reasons and consequences

As explained earlier, the current crisis is leading to various disruptions in supply chains internationally. This is particularly true in the area of raw material processing. For example, serious restrictions are currently becoming apparent in the fluoropolymer industry due to the lack of reliable raw material supplies. Particularly with regard to PTFE production, there are increasing supply shortages and failures. Accordingly, Dyneon/3M, one of the major fluoroplastic producers, acknowledged problems regarding this already in the spring of this year. So far, it is unclear whether these have been resolved. Furthermore, Solvay announced its final exit from the fluoroplastics market as of July 1, 2023. Consequently, the material procurement of PTFE for further processing is uncertain. As a result of Solvay’s exit, the scarcity will intensify enormously. Accordingly, future disruptions are expected to increase and further substantial cutbacks are to be expected in all processing areas.

Given the reduced supply of PTFE on the market, the existing demand will not be met, for the medium term at least. This applies in particular to the automotive sector. Here, various fluoropolymer tubing, preferably made of PTFE, is required, whereby the enormous demand can already only just be met at present. These are used frequently as inner linings for mechanical actuating cables, such as hood cables, gearshift cables, brake cables, accelerator pedal cables, door locks, fuel tanks, trunk releases, hatch covers, allonge control cables, clutch cables and transmission cables. Meeting the enormous demand for PTFE tubing in the automotive industry is already proving to be extremely challenging. As a result of the further supply shortage due to Solvay’s announced exit from the fluoroplastics market, it may no longer be possible to completely meet this demand, particularly in the automotive sector.

GREMCO FITCO®Liner-FP as an Alternative for PTFE Liners

Regarding the expected difficulties in sourcing sufficient PTFE, we provide excellent alternative FP liners to adequately compensate for the potential shortage of PTFE products. Primary in this context are our FP liners (Fluorinated Engineering Polymer liners) based on a material similar to PBT (Polybutylene Terephthalate). Thanks to the incorporation of fluorinated additives, these FP liners are of significantly higher quality and performance than standard PBT pipes. In terms of friction and sliding behavior, said FP liners can be classified as almost equivalent to PTFE liners. Only in terms of temperature resistance PTFE liners are superior.

In most applications, however, the temperature resistance of FP liners is perfectly adequate. FP liners are characterized by a tighter dimensional tolerance (0.05mm to 0.08mm), easier processability and lower costs. Especially for less temperature-intensive applications such as in the door area or the interior of an automobile, FP liners are an excellent alternative to classic PTFE liners. For example, our FITCO® Liner FP080 and FITCO® Liner FP100 are ideal for use as locking cables (door, hood, trunk).