Safic-Alcan will be back at Fakuma, the international trade fair for plastics processing, from 12 to 16 October 2026 at Messe Friedrichshafen, Germany. The Safic-Alcan Plastics team will welcome visitors at Stand B5-5405, in Hall B5, presenting solutions across the plastics value chain, from compounding to processing and recycling.
Sustainability is at the heart of this year's edition, and Safic-Alcan is happy to welcome Silike as a co-exhibitor. Silike specializes in silicone additives and PFAS-free polymer processing aids (PPA), offering processors a compliant, high-performance alternative as fluoropolymer regulations tighten across Europe.
Ahead of the show, we spoke with Kamil Antos, Business Development Director Plastics & Polyurethanes at Safic-Alcan, and Amy Wang, Vice General Manager at Silike, to share their perspectives on this shift and on what visitors will find at Stand B5-5405.
Amy Wang, Silike: The tightening of EU PFAS regulations and the complete ban on fluorine by downstream brands have directly accelerated the elimination of traditional fluorinated additives.
Silike's non-PFAS PPA is a mature performance replacement solution, we trust this could help European customers complete the compliance switch at a low cost and quickly, while maintaining market access eligibility.
Kamil Antos, Safic-Alcan: What we hear from customers is quite practical: “I understand that I may need to replace my current processing aid, but what can I use instead, and what will this change in my production?”.
Customers use processing aids because they simply need them. If additives didn't bring a real benefit, nobody would add extra cost to the formulation. PFAS-based processing aids are very efficient, even at very low dosage, so replacing them is not always straightforward.
Our role is therefore to understand the customer's process and, together with partners like Silike, help them find an alternative that gives the right balance between performance, dosage and cost.
Amy Wang, Silike: The entire series is compliant without fluorine, does not precipitate or affect the printing and optical properties of the products. It can reduce processing torque, extend cleaning cycle, and is compatible with most plastic materials. Enterprises can directly use it without significantly modifying the original formula, achieving cost reduction and efficiency improvement.
Kamil Antos, Safic-Alcan: Silicone-based PPAs, and particularly the SILIMER technology from Silike, are an interesting alternative because they can offer a good compromise between performance, dosage and cost.
Personally, I don't believe there is one universal replacement for PFAS-based processing aids. We need to look at each application individually: the dosage, processing efficiency, final product quality and, of course, the overall cost.
To sum up, I think the right solution is the one that meets the regulatory requirements while still allowing the customer to manufacture a high-quality and competitive product.
Amy Wang, Silike: SAFIC-ALCAN is our core authorized distributor in Europe. The two parties are complementary partners in terms of technology and local channels. We provide mature non-fluorine products and technical support, while SAFIC-ALCAN provide on-the-ground service for European local customers. Together, we quickly respond to the market demand for non-fluorine substitution.
Kamil Antos, Safic-Alcan: I believe Silike is a very good example of the type of partner we want to work with. They bring proven technologies and strong technical expertise, and we bring our knowledge of the European market and our customers.
Their solutions definitely deserve attention, especially today when customers are looking for new alternatives. This is why I am very happy to have Silike with us at Fakuma and give our customers the opportunity to discover their technologies and meet their team directly.
Amy Wang, Silike: This time, we focus on showcasing the entire series of non-fluorine PPA, as well as automotive scratch-resistant agents, wire and cables processing additives, and other non-fluorine rubber and plastic additives. Visitors can view sample pieces, obtain compliance reports, and have a face-to-face discussion with the German-Chinese team about your production line's non-fluorine substitution plans. Samples can be applied for on-site immediately.
Kamil Antos, Safic-Alcan: Fakuma is the perfect place to introduce new technologies directly to plastics processors. Silike brings the technology and product expertise, while Safic-Alcan brings the local presence, market knowledge and customer relationships. Together, we can introduce the right solutions to the right customers and support them locally.