The safety of building materials is now more important than ever. At the same time, one issue is increasingly coming to the fore: PFAS. This group of substances has entered the public debate and is also becoming an increasingly common factor in decision-making within the construction industry.
PFAS comprise a large group of chemical compounds that have been used, amongst other things, for their water-, grease- and chemical-repellent properties. They are also attracting increasing attention because they are highly persistent and can accumulate in the environment. This is why they are often referred to as ‘forever chemicals’.
The choice of materials in the construction industry is therefore no longer considered solely from a technical perspective. The question of how building materials fit into the context of current environmental and regulatory debates is also gaining in importance. It is precisely against this backdrop that Sto and StoCretec have set itself the goal of offering PFAS-free solutions for concrete and flooring applications, thereby meeting current and future environmental requirements.
Currently, all products manufactured within Sto SE & Co. KGaA under the brand names StoPox, StoPur, StoCryl, StoJet and StoCrete are, to the best of our knowledge and belief, free from PFAS. This means that systems are available which meet high technical standards whilst also providing a solid basis for making informed material choices.
With our solutions, we combine technical performance with durability and application-oriented safety. Whether for the refurbishment of damaged concrete surfaces, the protection of industrial infrastructure or floor coatings in commercial, industrial and logistics buildings: Sto and StoCretec offer solutions for applications where technical requirements, durability and responsible material selection come together.
PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. They belong to the group of fluorinated hydrocarbons and are also known as PFCs (per- and polyfluorinated chemicals) or PFTs (perfluorinated surfactants). This group of substances comprises around 10,000 different chemicals. Some individual substances, such as PFOA, are already regulated or banned due to their properties. For example, PFOA has been prohibited in the EU since 2020.
PFAS are extremely persistent and hardly degrade at all in the environment. Consequently, they persist in soil, water and air for very long periods and are often referred to as "forever chemicals". Their high persistence means that these substances can enrich the environment over years or even decades.
PFAS offer many technical advantages, as they are water-, dirt- and grease-repellent, as well as resistant to heat and UV radiation. At the same time, these substances do not occur naturally in the environment, yet they have been verified worldwide in soil, water bodies, the air and even in drinking water. According to estimates, around 12.5 million Europeans live in communities where PFAS have been detected in drinking water. As a result, these substances are increasingly the focus of environmental protection, research and regulation.