PTFE is Smeermiddelen. Airolube kan zonder!
PTFE. What is it?
AND HOW DO WE GET RID OF IT?

PTFE is one of the most favored additives in traditional lubricants. But what does the name stand for and what are the effects of PTFE on the environment? In this blog, we'll fill you in on PTFE and why Airolube doesn't use it.


What is PTFE?

PTFE stands for Polytetrafluoroethylene and is better known by the brand name Teflon. It's a type of plastic that can be used to create a water and dirt repellent coating. It also enables smooth sliding between two surfaces. It's these applications that make Teflon (PTFE) popular as an additive in lubricants. 

PTFE in the environment

The substance PTFE is part of the PFAS family, a collection of over 6,000 different industrial compounds. Some substances within the PFAS family have been associated with serious environmental risks. For others, there's still insufficient research on their consequences. Regarding PTFE, the following is known.

PTFE doesn't break down in nature and has the property of easily spreading in the environment and accumulating in the human body, the bodies of animals, or plants. In short, lubricating one bicycle doesn't harm the environment. But with 20 million bicycles (the number in the Netherlands in 2019), the story is different. For humans, exposure to PTFE vapor or accumulation can be irritating and may cause flu-like symptoms. Birds are particularly sensitive to PTFE and can even die from exposure.

Airolube is taking a stand against PTFE. We've created a complete line of lubrication and cleaning products based on natural ingredients like Rapeseed. This line is completely biodegradable and therefore free of PTFE. When you choose Airolube, you're opting for a cleaner, equally well-maintained bicycle in a cleaner and safer world.

Airolube 20 January, 2021
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