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Quick answer: Preventol D7 is an isothiazolinone-based in-can preservative from Lanxess that protects water-based coatings from bacteria, mold, yeast, and algae while the product sits in the can. Safic-Alcan distributes the full Preventol portfolio, including Preventol WB, an isothiazolinone-free alternative for formulators managing EU labeling constraints, and Preventol MP 440-D for dry-film protection after the coating is applied.



Preventol D7 Protects Coatings in the Can, Not on the Wall



Preventol D7 is an in-can biocide: its job is to stop microbial growth inside the container, from the moment water is added to the formulation until the product is opened and applied. According to Lanxess technical documentation, the product is built around a blend of the isothiazolinones CMIT and MIT at roughly 1.5% active content, dispersed in a low-viscosity, water-soluble carrier. That formulation gives it activity against bacteria, including formaldehyde-resistant strains, along with mold, yeast, and algae, and it stays effective across a pH range of roughly 2.5 to 9.



Formulators use Preventol D7 in polymer dispersions, pigment slurries, filler suspensions, and architectural and industrial water-based paints, usually adding it early in the process once enough water is present to dissolve it. In the US, the Lanxess EPA-registered label for the product gives an in-can dosage window of roughly 425 to 1,675 ppm of product, equivalent to about 6 to 25 ppm of active isothiazolinones. Authorized dosage, wording, and even product availability shift from one country to another, so the current safety data sheet and label for your market remain the reference, not a figure copied from a different region's registration.



Isothiazolinone Labeling Is the Real Reason This Topic Keeps Coming Up



Isothiazolinones didn't get harder to use because they stopped working. They got harder to use because they're recognized skin sensitizers, and EU chemical safety rules have tightened around that fact. Under the CLP Regulation, methylisothiazolinone (MIT) and CMIT/MIT mixtures carry harmonized classifications that trigger sensitizer labeling on any mixture, including paints, once concentration passes a specific threshold, with a lower threshold that already requires an allergy warning statement on the label. ECHA tracks this class of substances specifically because of how often it shows up in downstream product labeling disputes.



None of this bans isothiazolinone preservation in coatings. It does mean two things for a formulator: the finished paint's label depends directly on how much active isothiazolinone ends up in the can, and a growing number of brand owners ask their suppliers for a documented isothiazolinone-free route before a reformulation even starts. For the full picture of how the BPR classifies and approves biocide chemistries beyond isothiazolinones, see our guide to industrial biocides. That's the practical opening for the rest of the Preventol range.



Preventol WB Removes Isothiazolinones From the Equation



Preventol WB is built on phenolic chemistry instead of isothiazolinones, and it covers the same core threats: bacteria, yeasts, and mold fungi in the can. It's positioned for concrete admixtures, print thickeners, and architectural coatings, the same territory where D7 operates, which makes it a direct substitution candidate rather than a niche product. Swapping to a phenolic in-can preservative doesn't remove every labeling consideration from a formulation (phenolics carry their own hazard profile), but it does take MIT and CMIT/MIT concentration out of the label conversation entirely.



The choice between the two isn't about one being "better." D7 has a broader and longer-documented track record across more substrate types; WB exists specifically for formulations where isothiazolinone-free is a stated requirement, whether that comes from a retailer specification, an eco-label, or a customer's own regulatory file.



In-Can Protection Ends Where Dry-Film Protection Begins



A biocide that stops bacteria in a wet can does nothing once that coating is on a wall, a facade, or a piece of wood exposed to humidity. That's a separate biocidal product type under EU rules, film preservation (PT 7) rather than in-can preservation (PT 6); our biocides overview breaks down all 22 BPR product types in detail. Mold and algae growth on a dried film is a dry-film problem, and it needs a fungicide built for that stage.



Preventol MP 440-D covers that second stage. It's a dispersible fungicide developed for water-based wood coatings, paints, lacquers, stucco and plaster, putty, pigment pastes, and printing inks, protecting the dried film against fungal growth once the in-can preservative's job is already done. A formulation that only addresses in-can protection can still fail on the wall months later; the two product types are complementary, not redundant.



Comparing the Three Products







Safic-Alcan Supplies the Full Preventol Range With Local Technical Support



As Lanxess's distribution partner, Safic-Alcan carries Preventol D7, Preventol WB, Preventol MP 440-D, and the rest of the range across multiple markets, alongside the current safety data sheets and technical documentation formulators need to confirm dosage and regulatory status before they commit a batch. Biocide selection is rarely the only variable in a waterborne system: formulators juggling foam and film defects at the same time may also find our piece on defoamers useful. 



Frequently Asked Questions



What is Preventol D7 used for? 



Preventol D7 is an in-can preservative for water-based industrial products, most commonly polymer dispersions, pigment slurries, filler suspensions, and paints and coatings, where it protects against bacteria, mold, yeast, and algae during storage.



Is Preventol D7 an isothiazolinone? 



Yes. Preventol D7 is formulated around a blend of the isothiazolinones CMIT and MIT. Formulators who need to avoid isothiazolinones on the label typically look at Preventol WB, which uses phenolic chemistry instead.



What's the difference between in-can and dry-film biocides?



In-can biocides like Preventol D7 and Preventol WB protect the coating while it's still liquid, in the container. Dry-film biocides like Preventol MP 440-D protect the coating after it has been applied and dried, against fungal and algal growth on the finished surface. A formulation typically needs both, not one or the other.



Is there an isothiazolinone-free option in the Preventol range for coatings?



Yes, Preventol WB is the isothiazolinone-free in-can preservative in the range, built on phenolic chemistry, and it targets the same applications as Preventol D7.


Coatings, Inks &amp; Construction Industrial specialties

Preventol D7 and the Preventol Range: Choosing the Right Biocide for Water-Based Coatings


Longevity has stopped being a slogan and become a business model. Across skincare, hair care, supplements and devices, brands are repackaging the same underlying promise (age well, not just look young) into products, clinics and content that treat beauty as one input among several in a much bigger picture: sleep, nutrition, hormones, stress, movement. And the audience buying into it is not just wealthy fifty-somethings. Recent consumer research among under-30s found that around seven in ten already describe themselves as concerned about longevity, splitting into three distinct mindsets that brands are now building entire strategies around.



Three mindsets, three marketing playbooks



Holistic Lifers, roughly a third of under-30s surveyed, want beauty that fits into a broader, values-led lifestyle rather than a technical protocol. They favour products that work with the body’s natural rhythms: skincare synchronised to hormonal cycles, sleep masks that release actives on a circadian schedule, or dietary supplements designed to mimic the cellular benefits of fasting without an actual fast. One example cited in recent trend research is a “biomimetic” cell-care supplement built around spermidine and niacin, marketed as a way to activate autophagy and support mitochondrial repair. For this group, naturalness, simplicity and a coherent story sell as hard as the science.



Longevity Hackers, the largest group at around 40%, treat their own biology as a personal project. They track their biological age, layer supplements into their skincare routine, and are the most likely to combine dermatology-grade actives with wellness rituals such as facial massage or in-clinic treatments. Dietary supplements built around micro-nutrition, sleep and mental health sit naturally in this group’s routine, alongside “beauty from within” formulas and biotech-forward skincare that promises to optimise gene expression. This is also the segment most receptive to subscription models and trackable, data-backed results.



Age Fixers, about a quarter of the group, are anxious about visible signs of ageing but want low-effort, immediate answers rather than a full lifestyle overhaul. This is where accessible longevity devices thrive: at-home diagnostics that deliver a skin or biomarker readout in minutes, and toning tools such as FOREO’s FAQ 402, a dual-microcurrent LED device marketed on visible results within a single week . For this audience, longevity has to compress into a five-minute routine, not a new identity.



The marketing behind it: Vichy’s healthy ageing playbook



Nowhere is this repositioning clearer than at Vichy. In February 2026, the L’Oréal-owned dermocosmetics brand opened a Longevity Clinic in Paris, explicitly framing beauty as one input among several: nutrition, hormones, sleep quality, environmental stress and metabolic health. Brand ambassador and biochemist Jessie Inchauspé, known online as Glucose Goddess, used the event to make a point that has little to do with skincare at all: “When we eat a lot of sugar and have many blood sugar spikes during the day, this creates inflammation and glycation. Glycation is ageing. It fragments collagen and leads to wrinkles”. Fellow ambassador Emily DiDonato made the same case for sleep: “High-quality sleep is unsexy and boring, but it makes the biggest difference”.



That philosophy runs through the brand’s product pipeline too. Vichy built what it calls a Longevity Wheel, which regroups nine biological hallmarks of skin ageing into three clusters. For mature skin, the brand’s formulas are built to address four of them specifically: loss of proteostasis, chronic microinflammation, mitochondrial dysfunction and cellular senescence. The resulting product, Neovadiol Longevity Cream, combines Proxylane, which targets proteostasis, an NAD+ Booster, which targets mitochondrial dysfunction and microinflammation, and Senesveium, a Ginkgo Biloba extract positioned as helping skin clear senescent, or “zombie,” cells. Vichy reports clinical increases of 31% in youthful skin tissue and up to 42% in skin volume. The companion Dercos Aminexil Clinical R.E.G.E.N. Booster applies the same logic to hair, and was clinically shown to add over 14,000 hairs in 12 weeks.



As global brand president Vincent Chauvière put it: “We do not want to talk anymore about anti-ageing, because that seems like we are acting against your age. We want to talk about healthy ageing because although your chronological age cannot be changed, we can act on skin’s biological age, and optimise it by acting at the cellular level”.



A cross-sector movement: sport, nutrition, retreats and retail



Longevity marketing is no longer a beauty-only conversation. Recent cross-industry trend research maps the same promise, extending healthspan rather than just improving looks, playing out across sport, nutrition, hospitality and retail. For personal care brands, that is worth watching closely: the competition for the word “longevity” is no longer just other skincare brands.



Sport



Sport and athleisure brands are folding recovery and physical longevity into their proposition. alo Wellness House, an offshoot of the yoga and activewear label Alo, is built around physical benefits, with sleep management and structured physical activity sitting alongside the clothing line, turning a fashion-adjacent brand into a longevity destination. It reflects an expectation consumers already voice unprompted: “I try to keep a healthy routine, drink plenty of water, go to bed early, walk 10,000 steps a day, eat well, avoid sugar and alcohol, and exercise three times a week”.



Nutrition



Nutrition remains one of the most literal entry points into longevity, and it is increasingly formulated with the same rigour as skincare. Combeau’s NHCO L-AminoSkin positions itself around micro-nutrition, sleep and mental health as three pillars of a single supplement range, while Mimio’s Biomimetic Cell Care mimics the cellular effects of fasting to activate autophagy and support mitochondrial repair, built around spermidine and niacin. Consumers already frame the link between diet and ageing in exactly these terms: “To preserve my youth and my health, I watch what I eat. I have always cooked at home, and I still do”.



Retreats



Hospitality and luxury fashion brands are moving into longevity through experience rather than product. Six Senses Ibiza has built wellness and general-health care directly into its hotel offering, while Ba&amp;sh Wellness Escape and DIOR Wellness Retreat extend a fashion label and a luxury house into curated retreats built around wellbeing benefits and the art of hosting. For these brands, longevity becomes a multi-day, high-margin experience rather than a single product, competing for the same consumer wallet share as a skincare routine.



Retail



Perhaps the most structural shift is in retail itself. Diagnostic-first, subscription-based models are replacing the browse-and-buy logic of traditional beauty retail. Superpower, for instance, pairs biomarker testing with peptide protocols on a recurring subscription, built on the idea that the diagnostic creates the anxiety, the protocol resolves it, and the subscription makes it permanent. Byome Derma applies the same logic to skin specifically, with a five-minute skin microbiome diagnostic feeding an AI-personalised, eco-conscious routine. Even fragrance retail is adapting: concepts such as Pouchard Paris, a scent sanctuary shaped by 14 artisans, reframe a purchase as an intimate ritual rather than a prescribed transaction, the same instinct for slowness and personalisation that underpins longevity retail more broadly.



None of this replaces skincare, but it reframes it as one input among several, alongside sport, nutrition, hospitality and retail, in a longer relationship between a brand and a consumer trying to manage their own biological age.



What this means for formulators and brands



For personal care brands, this is both an opportunity and a constraint. The opportunity is a genuinely engaged, cross-category audience willing to invest in credible longevity products, across skin, hair, supplements and devices, and starting younger than the industry expected. The constraint is that the bar for “credible” keeps rising: Vichy’s own marketing leans on a named mechanism, proteostasis, mitochondrial dysfunction, senescence, for every claim it makes. Translating that kind of science into a formulable, substantiated product, without the R&amp;D budget of an L’Oréal-owned brand, is exactly the gap Safic-Alcan’s upcoming webinar sets out to address.



Sources



Internal longevity consumer trend research, NellyRodi Trendlab, 2026. Used here for illustrative market examples only.



Josefin Forsberg, “Vichy’s Longevity Clinic made me rethink these lifelong beauty habits,” Vogue Scandinavia, 25 February 2026. https://www.voguescandinavia.com/articles/vichy-longevity-clinic-2026



Beatrice Wihlander, “Vichy launches longevity-focused skin and hair care for aging populations,” Personal Care Insights, 17 September 2025. https://www.personalcareinsights.com/news/vichy-skin-hair-care-innovation.html



Jennifer Weil, “Vichy Laboratoires Delves Into Longevity With Skin and Hair Care,” WWD, 17 September 2025. https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/hair/vichy-laboratoires-delves-longevity-skin-hair-care-1238168247/



Amanda May, “Vichy’s longevity science play addresses hair loss and zombie cells,” Cosmetics Business, 17 September 2025. https://cosmeticsbusiness.com/vichy-longevity-play-addresses-hair-loss-and-zombie-cells



FOREO, FAQ™ 402 Dual Microcurrent LED Firming Device, product page. https://www.foreo.com/faq-swiss-402


Join our upcoming webinar, Augmented Longevity: Reprogramming the Skinspan, and explore how science, technology and AI are reshaping the future of skin longevity.

Curious about what's next beyond healthy ageing? 

Selling Longevity: How Beauty Brands Are Marketing the Shift From Anti-Ageing to Healthy Ageing


Biohacking has moved from Silicon Valley labs to bathroom shelves. Today’s most curious consumers no longer just want a cream that “reduces the appearance of wrinkles”: they want to understand, and ideally influence, the biological processes that drive skin longevity and skin ageing in the first place. Call it skin hacking: a data-driven, science-first approach to skin health that treats skin less like a canvas to correct and more like a system to optimise.



This isn’t just a trend to dismiss. It reflects a genuine shift happening across the personal care industry, from anti-ageing to what scientists now call the “skinspan”: how well, not just how long, skin functions over a lifetime. This shift reflects a broader vision of healthy skin, combining prevention, resilience and long-term skin health rather than simply correcting visible imperfections. And skinspan science starts in one place: the biological mechanisms, or hallmarks, that drive ageing itself. The aging process affects every layer of the skin and progressively alters its structure, function and appearance.



Ageing is unavoidable, and it starts earlier than most people think: the first molecular signals appear from around age 30, as the result of a complex interplay between genetic inheritance and environmental exposure. As skin age advances, biological changes accumulate within tissues and cells long before visible symptoms appear.



Why does this matter commercially? Between 2025 and 2032, the global anti-ageing cosmetics market is projected to grow at a compound annual rate of 5.5% (1). Consumers are increasingly willing to pay for results, but “results” now means credible science, not just a good story. Some of these mechanisms can already be influenced by well-known antioxidant or sirtuin-activating actives; others (mitochondrial decline, senescent cell accumulation, stem cell exhaustion, a disrupted skin microbiome) are a different order of complexity, and exactly where biotechnology, advanced delivery systems and artificial intelligence are starting to change what’s possible.





The 12 hallmarks of skin longevity



In 2013, Carlos López-Otín’s landmark publication “The Hallmarks of Ageing” (2) gave researchers a shared map of the biological processes behind ageing. In the 2023 update, “Hallmarks of Ageing: An Expanding Universe” (3), that map grew to 12 interconnected hallmarks, all playing a role in maintaining the body’s homeostasis and its response to stress.



Genomic instability



The integrity and stability of the genome are constantly challenged by exogenous chemical, physical and biological agents, as well as by endogenous factors such as DNA replication errors and oxidative processes. Dedicated DNA repair and maintenance mechanisms exist to address damage to both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). However, the efficiency of these repair mechanisms declines with age, accelerating the accumulation of genomic damage.



Telomere attrition 



Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes, responsible for maintaining genomic integrity and proper cell function. Each telomere is made of a repetitive, non-coding DNA sequence. After many rounds of cell division, telomeres shorten significantly, triggering genomic instability that leads either to apoptosis or cellular senescence.



Telomerase is an enzyme capable of counteracting telomere shortening by adding DNA sequences to chromosome ends after each cell division. The rate of telomere attrition is influenced by age, genetic variants and lifestyle. Mice with shortened or elongated telomeres show, respectively, a decrease or increase in lifespan, and premature ageing in telomerase-deficient mice can be reversed when telomerase is genetically reactivated. In humans, numerous studies have established a causal link between short telomeres and age-related disease.



Epigenetic alterations



Epigenetics refers to the mechanisms that modify gene expression in response to environmental exposure, without altering the underlying DNA sequence. Histone modification (histones being the proteins involved in DNA packaging and folding) is one of the epigenetic mechanisms that reversibly controls and regulates gene expression. With age, these epigenetic modifications become dysfunctional, leading to gene dysregulation. Sirtuins, a family of enzymes that modify histones, contribute to healthy ageing: overexpression of SIRT1 has been shown to improve genomic stability and metabolic efficiency during ageing in mice.



Loss of proteostasis 



Protein homeostasis, or proteostasis, refers to the full set of mechanisms that ensure protein synthesis, folding, recycling and degradation. Among the key players, chaperone proteins (produced under stress) help proteins fold correctly, while the proteasome handles the recycling and elimination of damaged proteins. With age, misfolded, oxidised or glycated proteins accumulate, forming aggregates that are implicated in many visible signs of ageing. These include loss of firmness, reduced elasticity and the appearance of wrinkle formation linked to damaged proteins.



For example, feeding the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster with AGEs (Advanced Glycation End-products, glycated proteins or lipids) or lipofuscin (a cross-linked aggregate of proteins, sugars and lipids) leads to an accumulation of carbonylated proteins, accompanied by a reduction in both lifespan and healthspan. Conversely, administering recombinant human HSP70 chaperone protein to mice increases proteasome activity, reduces lipofuscin levels in the brain, improves cognitive function and extends lifespan.



Disabled macroautophagy



Autophagy, or macroautophagy, is a quality-control system that maintains cellular homeostasis. It slows the ageing of the organism by limiting the accumulation of macromolecular damage that would otherwise drive cellular senescence and regulated cell death. In humans, the expression of autophagy-related genes declines with age. In model organisms, genetically inhibiting autophagy accelerates the ageing process, while stimulating autophagy decelerates it. Because autophagy supports cellular maintenance, it is increasingly studied as a driver of regeneration and long-term tissue resilience.



Deregulated nutrient sensing 



The nutrient-sensing system and its signalling pathways form a central regulator of cellular activity, responding to nutritional status and stress levels. Deregulated nutrient sensing is partly linked to the sirtuin family of enzymes. Depending on nutrient availability, SIRT1 helps optimise cellular energy production by mitochondria (6), while SIRT3, expressed within mitochondria, neutralises reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits apoptosis (7). Overnutrition inhibits both SIRT1 and SIRT3, suppressing adaptive stress responses such as autophagy, antioxidant defence and DNA repair. Conversely, fasting and caloric restriction activate SIRT1 and SIRT3, stimulating adaptive cellular stress responses and extending longevity across many model organisms. Several longevity-focused ingredients are designed to support these pathways using targeted molecules such as peptide technologies and metabolic modulators.



Mitochondrial dysfunction (3) (8)



Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell, present in virtually all our cells, responsible for cellular respiration and the production of ATP, the body’s primary energy source. They are the only organelles to carry their own DNA, known as mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). With ageing, mitochondrial function deteriorates through multiple interdependent mechanisms, including oxidative stress, impaired communication between the cell nucleus and mitochondria, accumulation of mtDNA mutations, deficient proteostasis destabilising respiratory chain complexes, and reduced organelle turnover. This compromises the mitochondria’s ability to supply sufficient cellular energy, increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and can trigger accidental permeabilisation of mitochondrial membranes, driving inflammation and cell death. Restoring mitochondrial function is now an active target for next-generation actives and delivery systems designed to protect mitochondrial membranes and support ATP production directly at the site of damage. Supporting mitochondrial performance is increasingly viewed as a cornerstone of skin longevity, helping preserve healthy cellular function over time.



Cellular senescence 



Cellular senescence is a response triggered by acute or chronic damage. Senescent cells stop dividing, secrete pro-inflammatory molecules, and are normally cleared by the immune system. The negative effects of senescence become apparent once immune clearance becomes less efficient, which happens progressively with age, allowing senescent cells to accumulate. Senescent cells are associated with a secretory phenotype known as SASP (Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype), which drives chronic inflammation and progressive fibrosis of the surrounding tissue microenvironment. In humans, senescent cells accumulate with ageing, notably among fibroblasts, endothelial cells and immune cells, and genetic or pharmacological elimination of senescent cells has been shown to extend both healthspan and lifespan in naturally ageing mice. Because senescent cells accumulate with aging, they are now considered one of the major biological drivers of declining tissue performance.



Stem cell exhaustion



The skin’s epidermis is characterised by high turnover and constant exposure to external aggressors. It relies on several stem cell niches, notably those associated with hair follicles. Stem and progenitor cells are themselves subject to the hallmarks of ageing: with age, tissue renewal declines under baseline conditions, and tissue repair after injury becomes impaired, largely due to slower cell division and insufficient stem cell replacement. Cellular reprogramming toward pluripotency (converting adult somatic cells into embryonic-like pluripotent cells) has been shown to rejuvenate cellular hallmarks of ageing, including the DNA methylation clock, DNA damage, the epigenome and the age-associated transcriptome. Biotechnology platforms, from plant stem cell cultures to bio-fermentation, are increasingly used to support the skin’s own regenerative reserves. These approaches aim to preserve the regenerative potential of tissues and maintain the activity of healthy skin cells throughout life.



Altered intercellular communication



Ageing is accompanied by progressive alterations in intercellular communication, which compromise homeostatic regulatory mechanisms. These include deficiencies in neuronal, neuroendocrine and hormonal signalling pathways, compounded by immune decline and elevated SASP levels. Ageing also causes extensive damage within the extracellular matrix (ECM), including the formation of AGEs, protein carbonylation, elastin fragmentation and collagen cross-linking, driving tissue fibrosis, or “fibroaging.” Maintaining efficient communication between cells is increasingly recognised as a key hallmark of long-term tissue functionality. Notably, an ECM prepared from young human fibroblasts has been shown to induce a “rejuvenated” state in aged and senescent cells. This is where advanced delivery systems matter most: getting an active ingredient to the right cell, in the right form, at the right depth of the skin, changes what is actually achievable. Preserving extracellular matrix quality is also essential to sustain collagen production and maintain a more youthful appearance.



Chronic inflammation 



By activating the immune system, inflammatory responses support tissue repair and regeneration. However, inflammatory responses that are too strong and/or become chronic tend to worsen existing damage and cause new injury. With age, levels of inflammatory cytokines rise, a phenomenon known as “inflammaging”. This persistent inflammatory state contributes to tissue degradation and accelerates biological aging. Senescent cells, which release pro-inflammatory molecules, accumulate over time and fuel this age-related chronic inflammation. AI-assisted screening is now accelerating the discovery of new anti-inflammaging actives by predicting which molecules are likely to modulate cytokine signalling before a single test is run.



Dysbiosis



Once bacterial diversity is established in childhood, it remains relatively stable through adulthood. With ageing, this microbial diversity within the microbiome declines. As the microbiome becomes imbalanced, it becomes more vulnerable to pathogens and external aggressors. Several studies in centenarian populations have shown a reduction in certain taxa, such as Bacteroides and Roseburia, alongside an increase in others, such as Bifidobacterium and Akkermansia, which appear to have favourable effects on longevity. Microbiome-targeted actives (prebiotics, postbiotics and biotics designed around specific bacterial taxa) are one of the fastest-growing categories in longevity-driven skincare. Modern skincare strategies increasingly integrate microbiome science within a more holistic vision of longevity and wellness.



From knowing to hacking



Understanding these 12 interconnected mechanisms is the easy part. Turning that knowledge into claim-ready, formulable cosmetic ingredients (some already within reach through well-characterised actives, others only now becoming addressable through biotechnology, advanced delivery systems and AI-driven discovery) is where the real challenge lies. Which mechanisms can realistically be targeted through topical actives? Which levers are scientifically credible enough to build a claim on? And how do you separate credible science from noise in a field moving this fast? Many opportunities lie in combining biotechnology, delivery systems and advanced formulation approaches to improve efficacy.



These are exactly the questions Safic-Alcan is tackling in its upcoming global webinar, bringing together market, scientific and technical perspectives to decode what “augmented longevity” can credibly mean for personal care innovation. The future of skin longevity depends on understanding how biological pathways interact and how innovation can help delay the visible signs of aging linked to oxidative stress and other age-related mechanisms.



Augmented Longevity: Reprogramming the Skinspan



Where science, technology and AI redefine ageing.



Why attend?




Understand the shift from anti-ageing to skin longevity and healthy ageing



Identify the ageing mechanisms most relevant to skin care formulation



Explore emerging technologies, from biotechnology to advanced delivery systems, including next-generation serum concepts and longevity-focused actives



Discover how AI is accelerating ingredient discovery and formulation



Translate longevity science into credible claims and product strategies




Sources



https://www.databridgemarketresearch.com/reports/global-anti-ageing-products-market



Telomere length: from cellular senescence to human ageing trajectories, ScienceDirect.



Inserm, Epigenetics dossier: https://www.inserm.fr/dossier/epigenetique/



Futura Santé, Sirtuin definition.



NCBI Gene, SIRT3: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/23410



Video: “The 9 causes of ageing, episode 5: mitochondria”, Dr Guilhem Velvé Casquillas, LongLongLife.



LongLongLife, Biological causes of ageing and longevity.



(Beerman I, et al. “Proliferation-Dependent Alterations of the DNA Methylation Landscape Underlie Hematopoietic Stem Cell Aging.” Cell Stem Cell 12(4), 2013: 413–25. doi:10.1016/j.stem.2013.01.017.



Rübe CE, et al. “Accumulation of DNA Damage in Hematopoietic Stem and Progenitor Cells during Human Aging.” PLoS ONE 6(3), 2011. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0017487.


Skin Longevity : The 12 Biological Hallmarks Behind Skin Aging 


Quick answer



A factory-applied, no-intentionally-added-PFAS anti-graffiti coating is qualified by cleanability performance under the German TL/TP AGS Beton and Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. framework, not by a water-repellency or freeze-thaw standard. Applying it during production rather than after installation gives manufacturers documented, batch-controlled coverage instead of a variable site application, and any service-life figure attached to the coating should be sourced to a written technical data sheet before it appears in a customer-facing document. For a more detailed view on PFAS, you can read our guide to the EU PFAS restriction for anti-graffiti coatings. 





Graffiti-resistant wall finishes for public infrastructure: which system to choose



Public infrastructure (underpasses, bridges, noise barriers, stations) needs protection that survives repeated cleaning without damaging the substrate. The choice is between three families of anti-graffiti systems: sacrificial, semi-permanent and permanent.



Silane-siloxane based systems penetrate mineral substrates, keep them breathable and reduce the adhesion of paint, which makes cleaning easier. They are a PFAS-free route that fits the EU restriction direction.



Validate performance with the test standard required by your project.



What "factory-applied" means for an anti-graffiti coating, and why it matters



A factory-applied anti-graffiti coating is applied to the concrete tile, precast element, or facade panel during production, before the unit leaves the plant, rather than sprayed on afterwards by a separate applicator once the piece is installed. That distinction matters for three practical reasons: the substrate's condition at the moment of coating is known and consistent, coverage can be verified against a batch record rather than a site inspection, and the coating step becomes part of the manufacturer's own production control rather than a separate scope that a downstream contractor can skip, under-apply, or delay. It also changes who can answer a customer's compliance question. A factory-applied coating means the manufacturer, not an installer three steps removed, can state exactly what was applied and confirm the declaration that goes with it.



Why this matters for concrete, precast and facade panel manufacturers specifically



Anti-graffiti protection on precast and facade elements has traditionally relied on fluoropolymer and fluorosilane chemistry, precisely the category the EU's PFAS restriction targets. Manufacturers who supply into public-sector projects, schools, transit infrastructure, are already seeing procurement questionnaires ask for a PFAS declaration that didn't exist two years ago, and the qualification work (which coating, which test standard, which declaration wording) takes longer to complete than most manufacturers expect. Doing it once at the plant level, rather than leaving it to be handled per project by whichever contractor applies the finish on site, is the more defensible position going into a tender process.



Which standard actually applies to a factory-applied anti-graffiti coating



A water-repellency or freeze-thaw standard does not measure what an anti-graffiti coating is designed to do, and citing one on a technical data sheet for this product category is a substrate and application mismatch worth avoiding before it reaches a customer's compliance file. The framework that actually applies is the German TL/TP AGS Beton standard (BASt) together with the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. (Quality Association Anti-Graffiti) requirements, not ISO 11998, which measures wet-scrub resistance for wall coatings rather than the cleanability of an impregnation system. Substrates are coated with three defined paint systems, cleaned with an approved graffiti cleaner, and the cleaning is repeated ten times on the same spot, with a Ci value recording the degree of paint removal. A durability data sheet built on this framework, rather than one borrowed from a different application, is the one that holds up under a customer's technical review.



What to verify before quoting a service-life figure



This is the step worth being disciplined about before anything goes into a data sheet or a customer-facing article. Evonik's Protectosil® range includes both deep-penetrating fluorosilane sealers, which can extend a substrate's service life well beyond a decade, and non-penetrating, fluorine-free surface coatings like ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI, which is a different product built for a different purpose and does not carry the same service-life figures. The two should never be quoted interchangeably. A service life belongs on paper as a tested, written figure tied to the specific product and test method, not as a number carried over from a related product in the same supplier's range.



Why factory application is a genuine quality-control advantage



Precast manufacturing already runs under controlled plant conditions for temperature, curing, and mix consistency, the core quality argument the precast industry makes for itself over site-cast concrete. Extending that same controlled environment to the anti-graffiti coating step means the manufacturer, not a downstream contractor, controls the variables that determine whether the coating performs as tested: substrate condition, ambient conditions during application, and coverage rate. A site-applied coating depends on a separate trade reading the same instructions correctly, months after the panel left the factory floor, with no batch record tying the application back to a specific test report.



Which chemistry is available for factory application



Evonik's Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI, distributed through Safic-Alcan's coatings portfolio, is a surface-applied, non-penetrating, fluorine-free anti-graffiti coating that does not contain intentionally added PFAS, per its technical data sheet, suited to factory application on concrete tiles, precast elements and facade panels. It should be specified and tested against the TL/TP AGS Beton and Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti requirements for cleanability, not against a water-repellency or freeze-thaw standard written for a different category of treatment.



Factory-applied vs site-applied anti-graffiti coating



                                                              Factory-applied vs site-applied anti-graffiti coating



FAQ



Which standard tests an anti-graffiti coating's performance for concrete or precast elements? 



The German TL/TP AGS Beton standard (BASt) together with the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. requirements, not ISO 11998, which measures wet-scrub resistance for wall coatings rather than the cleanability of an impregnation system. Water-repellency or freeze-thaw standards test a different property and don't apply to this coating category either.



Can a manufacturer use the same service-life figure across an entire Protectosil range? 



No. Penetrating fluorosilane sealers and non-penetrating, fluorine-free surface coatings like ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI work through different mechanisms and carry different tested service-life figures. Each product's figure should be sourced to its own written test data.



What is the advantage of a factory-applied coating over a site-applied one? 



Controlled application conditions and batch-level documentation tied to the manufacturer's own production control, rather than a separate site-based application step carried out by a different contractor after installation.



What is the best anti-graffiti coating for concrete?



For high-risk sites, a permanent system that keeps concrete breathable. Silane-siloxane based systems combine easy cleaning with a PFAS-free formulation.



Does a factory-applied coating change what a manufacturer can tell customers about PFAS compliance? 



Yes. A manufacturer who applies the coating in-house can state exactly what was used and provide the declaration directly, rather than relying on a downstream installer to know or communicate that information correctly.






Silane-based graffiti protection for concrete, precast and facade panels. Without intentionally added PFAS.

Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI

PFAS-Free Anti-Graffiti Coatings for Concrete, Precast and Public Infrastructure


Quick answer



A PFAS-free anti-graffiti specification clause needs a performance requirement (cleanability under the TL/TP AGS Beton and Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. framework, not a brand name), a precise chemical declaration ("does not contain intentionally added PFAS," Evonik's own confirmed wording, rather than an unqualified "PFAS-free"), and, if any product or standard is referenced, the words "or equivalent" attached to it. Under Article 42 of Directive 2014/24/EU, a clause that names one product without allowing equivalents is an automatic breach, confirmed by the CJEU in 2024.





A PFAS-free anti-graffiti specification clause, ready to adapt for public tenders.



What a PFAS-free anti-graffiti clause actually needs to cover



A specification clause is not a marketing claim, it is a contractual requirement that has to survive a tender evaluation panel and, increasingly, a legal challenge from a competing bidder. For an anti-graffiti coating, that means stating three things separately: the cleanability performance the coating must achieve after repeated graffiti-removal cycles, the chemical declaration the product must meet, and the wording that keeps the clause open to more than one supplier. A clause that only says "PFAS-free anti-graffiti coating required, as manufactured by [supplier]" fails on more than one front at once, and public procurement law is now explicit about why.



Why anti-graffiti coatings specifically are affected



Anti-graffiti coatings are one of the applications where fluorochemicals have historically done the work: fluoropolymer and fluorosilane systems repel paint and solvent-based markers and let graffiti be removed without staining the substrate. That is exactly the chemistry the EU's PFAS restriction targets. Five national authorities submitted the restriction proposal to ECHA in January 2023, and by March 2026 ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee had adopted its final opinion, with the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee's consultation running to 25 May 2026 and a final opinion due by the end of 2026. A restriction entering into force before 2027 is unlikely, but anti-graffiti systems on public buildings are specified years ahead of installation, so the clause needs to be written now. The formulator-side detail of that timeline is covered in full in our silane-siloxane vs organofluorine comparison; this piece stays on what changes in the tender document itself.



How EU procurement law requires this clause to be written



Can a tender name a specific anti-graffiti product?



Not without qualifying it, and getting this wrong is now a documented legal risk, not a theoretical one. Article 42(3) of Directive 2014/24/EU gives contracting authorities an exhaustive list of ways to write a technical specification: in terms of performance or functional requirements, by reference to a technical standard, or a combination of both. Article 42(4) is the operative constraint: a specification that points to a particular product or brand is only lawful if followed by "or equivalent," unless the authority can objectively justify why no alternative would work. In 2024 the Court of Justice ruled on exactly this point in Case C-424/23, finding that a Belgian contracting authority's requirement for a specific pipe material, without "or equivalent," was an automatic breach of Article 42(2) and Article 18(1) even though the authority believed it had good technical reasons for the restriction.



What does "or equivalent" actually require from a specifier?



It means the clause has to describe what the coating must achieve, not which coating it must be. A clause built around a performance outcome (cleanability class, number of scrub cycles withstood, PFAS declaration) and, only secondarily, a named example product followed by "or equivalent," is the version that survives both a competing bidder's challenge and a compliance audit. A clause that names one supplier's anti-graffiti system with no equivalence language attached is the version that gets struck down.



Which performance test actually belongs in the clause



What test framework measures an anti-graffiti coating's performance?



Not ISO 11998, which measures wet-scrub resistance for wall coatings, not the cleanability of an impregnation system. Anti-graffiti performance for this product category is evaluated under the German TL/TP AGS Beton standard from the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), combined with the requirements of the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. (Quality Association Anti-Graffiti). Substrates are coated with three defined paint systems, cleaned with an approved graffiti cleaner, and the cleaning is repeated ten times on the same spot, with a Ci value recording the degree of paint removal. Permanent systems must pass ten cycles after weathering equivalent to ten years outdoors (3,000 hours QUV); semi-permanent systems target a lower cycle count. This is the standard that actually measures what the buyer cares about: does the coating survive repeated cleaning without losing its protective performance. It replaces any water-repellency or freeze-thaw standard that doesn't test what an anti-graffiti product is designed to do.



"PFAS-free" or "does not contain intentionally added PFAS": the wording that survives review



These are not interchangeable. "PFAS-free" is an absolute claim, zero PFAS at any detectable level, which is difficult to substantiate given how ubiquitous trace fluorochemical contamination can be across a supply chain. "Does not contain intentionally added PFAS" is a formulation declaration, the exact wording used in Evonik's own technical data sheet for Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI: the manufacturer did not deliberately introduce a PFAS-based raw material for a functional purpose. It does not guarantee zero PFAS at trace level, and it is the wording that is legally defensible under REACH rather than an unsubstantiated absolute claim. A tender clause should use this exact phrasing rather than "PFAS-free" as a product descriptor.



Which chemistries meet this declaration today Non-fluorinated, surface-applied anti-graffiti coatings are the category responding to this shift. Evonik's Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI, distributed through Safic-Alcan's coatings portfolio, is a surface-applied, non-penetrating, fluorine-free coating in this category that does not contain intentionally added PFAS, per its technical data sheet. It is not a deep-penetrating water repellent and should not be specified as one; its role is graffiti protection and cleanability, which is what the TL/TP AGS Beton and Gütegemeinschaft clause above is written to test



Brand-named clause vs performance-based clause







FAQ



Can a public tender name a specific anti-graffiti product? 



Only if followed by "or equivalent," or if the authority can objectively justify why no alternative meets the requirement. A 2024 CJEU ruling (Case C-424/23) confirmed that naming a product without this qualifier is an automatic breach of EU procurement law.



What standard should test an anti-graffiti coating's performance in a spec clause? 



Not ISO 11998, which measures wet-scrub resistance for wall coatings. The relevant framework is the German TL/TP AGS Beton standard (BASt) together with the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. requirements, which test what an anti-graffiti coating is designed to do, unlike water-repellency or freeze-thaw standards written for different applications.



Is "PFAS-free" a defensible claim in a tender document? 



Not without qualification. "Does not contain intentionally added PFAS," the wording Evonik uses in its own technical data sheet, is defensible under REACH, since an unqualified "PFAS-free" claim implies zero detectable PFAS, which is difficult to substantiate.



Does "or equivalent" weaken a specification? 



No. It shifts the specification from a brand reference to a performance requirement, which is both the legally required approach under Article 42 and the version least exposed to a successful challenge from a competing bidder.



Can a public tender require PFAS-free anti-graffiti coatings?



Yes, if the requirement is objective, linked to the subject of the contract and worded as a performance or composition requirement, with "or equivalent" when a product is named.


PFAS-Free Anti-Graffiti Specification Clauses for Tender Documents


The performance requirement does not change because the chemistry does. An anti-graffiti system has to reach a defined cleanability standard, whether it gets there through organofluorine chemistry or through an alternative. This article compares the two approaches at chemistry level: how each handles the water repellency and the resistance to oil-based graffiti that anti-graffiti performance depends on, where they differ in durability and substrate interaction, and what a pathway without intentionally added PFAS looks like in practice. For a broader view on PFAS, you can read our guide to the EU PFAS restriction for anti-graffiti coatings.





The two performance requirements: what anti-graffiti systems must deliver



Anti-graffiti performance is not simply water repellency. It rests on two distinct surface properties, which are two different chemistry problems.




Water repellency (hydrophobicity): the treated surface repels water, rain and water-borne contaminants. A hydrophobic surface shows a water contact angle above 90 degrees; strongly hydrophobic surfaces exceed 120 degrees. Water repellency is measured by the water absorption coefficient (DIN 52617, Karsten tube method: a calibrated tube is sealed to the treated surface and the volume of water absorbed over time is recorded) and by vapour permeability (EN ISO 7783). It controls rain penetration, chloride ingress, freeze-thaw resistance and efflorescence.



Resistance to oil-based graffiti: the treated surface reduces the adhesion of oil-based media such as spray paint, permanent marker and aerosol adhesive, so that graffiti can be removed by cleaning rather than by aggressive solvent attack. The surface is not oil-repellent in the strict sense; it is engineered so that spray paints bond weakly enough to be lifted during cleaning.










Anti-graffiti performance for these systems is evaluated under the German TL/TP AGS Beton standard from the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), combined with the performance requirements of the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. (Quality Association Anti-Graffiti). Products are tested against both. The association rules (ReGG) derive from the Technical Regulations first issued on 18 May 1998, and BASt approval under TL/TP AGS Beton is required for use on federal infrastructure.



In the test, graffiti-protected substrates are coated with three defined paint systems; once dry, the paint is removed with an approved graffiti cleaner; the cleaning is repeated ten times on the same location; after each cycle the result is evaluated visually and documented; and performance is expressed as a Ci value reflecting the degree of paint removal. Samples are tested unweathered and after both artificial and natural weathering. For a permanent system, the requirement is ten cleaning cycles after artificial weathering equivalent to ten years of outdoor exposure, which corresponds to 3,000 hours of QUV. Semi-permanent systems are designed for a lower number of cycles.



Water repellency on its own is not enough. A surface that repels water but lets spray paint bond firmly cannot be cleaned without aggressive solvent, which usually damages the substrate. Delivering both properties without fluorinated chemistry is the formulation challenge the PFAS restriction creates.



How organofluorine chemistry achieves both properties



The C-F bond has the lowest surface energy of any common functional group in organic chemistry. PTFE has a critical surface tension of about 18 to 20 mN/m, below the surface tension of virtually all common liquids, including water (about 72 mN/m) and the carriers used in spray paint and aerosol adhesives (about 25 to 35 mN/m). A surface whose critical surface tension falls below that of the applied liquid cannot be wetted by it.



The relationship between critical surface tension and wettability was formalised by Zisman, 1964 in foundational work on low-energy surface wetting. Plotting the cosine of contact angle against liquid surface tension for a series of liquids determines the critical surface tension of the solid, and any liquid with surface tension above this value will not spread on it. This remains the reference framework for comparing fluorinated and non-fluorinated coating systems.



An important note on context: fluorinated anti-graffiti systems on the market today are technically high-performing and fully compliant with all applicable regulations. The EU PFAS restriction is not yet in force. Many suppliers, including within the Evonik and Safic-Alcan portfolios, produce or have produced high-performing fluorinated systems. The comparison here is forward-looking: which chemistry will remain unrestricted once the restriction enters into force.



In anti-graffiti formulations, fluorinated chemistry was delivered mainly through two approaches:




Fluoropolymer film-forming coatings: PTFE or similar fluoropolymers applied as a surface film. High initial oil repellency from the low surface energy of the CF2 and CF3 groups. Vulnerable to surface abrasion and UV degradation over time.



Fluorinated silane modifiers: fluoroalkylsilane compounds where a fluorinated group is grafted onto a silane coupling-agent backbone, combining the substrate adhesion of the silane with the oil repellency of the fluoroalkyl end-group. These fluorosilanes hardly penetrate mineral surfaces; they act at the surface. This was the most common approach in premium anti-graffiti systems for masonry and facade applications.




The restriction covers both approaches. Fluoropolymer coatings contain intentionally added PFAS. Fluorinated silane modifiers, where the fluoroalkyl group meets the OECD definition (any substance with at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom), are equally within scope regardless of chain length. C4 and C6 fluoroalkylsilanes are within scope alongside C8 compounds.



The silane-siloxane mechanism and its durability



Organosilane chemistry works through a different mechanism from film-forming coatings. The common case is an alkoxysilane, which cures in three stages:




Hydrolysis: contact with moisture causes the alkoxy groups to react. For a trimethoxysilane, R-Si(OCH3)3 + 3H2O converts to R-Si(OH)3 + 3CH3OH. The silane becomes a reactive silanol.



Condensation and substrate bonding: the silanols react with surface hydroxyl groups on mineral substrates such as concrete, brick, stone, tile and render. R-Si(OH)3 reacts with HO-substrate to form R-Si-O-substrate bonds plus water, producing covalent Si-O-Si bonds between the treatment and the substrate. The organic R group orients outward, presenting its hydrophobic character at the surface.



Crosslinking: further condensation between adjacent silanols creates a crosslinked siloxane network within the treated zone, reinforcing the treatment and improving its chemical and mechanical resistance.




Protectosil® is supplied as a silanol, not as an alkoxysilane. The silanol is already formed, so the first stage does not apply: there is no hydrolysis and no alcohol is released during cure. On this product the process runs in two stages, condensation and substrate bonding followed by crosslinking.



Some systems are supplied as silanols rather than alkoxysilanes. Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI is one of them. Because the silanol chemistry is already formed, it does not go through the hydrolysis step and releases no alcohol, so its cure follows two stages rather than three.



Penetration depends on product type. For water repellents, durability is closely tied to how deeply the active molecules penetrate the substrate. Depending on molecule size, substrate porosity and application method, penetration for silane water repellents is typically 3 to 15 mm in concrete, with peer-reviewed studies confirming 3 to 7 mm for brush and immersion application. This does not apply to surface protection systems such as easy-to-clean and anti-graffiti products. Neither the legacy PFAS products nor the PFAS-free technology penetrate deeply. Their durability comes from strong covalent bonding at the surface, which keeps them from being washed out by rain and weathering, not from a deep treatment zone.




Vapour&nbsp;permeability:&nbsp;because silane treatment lines pore walls rather than blocking pores, the treated substrate keeps its moisture&nbsp;vapour&nbsp;transmission. The Sd value (EN ISO 7783) stays well below 0.1 m for validated silane treatments, meeting the breathability requirement standard in facade and masonry specifications, classified under EN 1504-2. Dense film-forming coatings can produce higher Sd values, creating&nbsp;vapour&nbsp;barriers that cause spalling,&nbsp;carbonation&nbsp;and freeze-thaw damage over time.&nbsp;





Substrate selectivity:&nbsp;silanes rely on the alkaline pH of cementitious substrates to&nbsp;catalyse&nbsp;condensation, making them most effective on concrete and&nbsp;render. Siloxanes react via atmospheric moisture and work across a broader range including brick, natural&nbsp;stone&nbsp;and clay-based materials. Combined silane-siloxane formulations cover the full substrate range relevant to facade and masonry.&nbsp;




How Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI reduces graffiti adhesion



Standard&nbsp;alkylsilane&nbsp;chemistry&nbsp;does not by itself resist oil-based graffiti. The alkyl groups presented at an&nbsp;alkylsilane-treated mineral surface give a surface energy of about 20 to 25&nbsp;mN/m, enough to repel water but not enough to keep oil-based media such as spray paint (surface tension about 25 to 35&nbsp;mN/m) from bonding. A surface energy above the surface tension of the applied liquid will be wetted by it, so the paint bonds and needs solvent to remove.&nbsp;



Protectosil&nbsp;ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI&nbsp;from Evonik addresses this differently. It relies on a balanced combination of hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties in the impregnation layer, which generates a surface structure that reduces the adhesion of spray paints. The result is a silane-based system that delivers the water repellency and the graffiti cleanability required by the TL/TP AGS Beton and&nbsp;Gütegemeinschaft&nbsp;requirements for a semi-permanent system, without intentionally added PFAS.&nbsp;



Performance comparison&nbsp;



                        Performance comparison: fluorinated silane system vs Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI



Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI is a semi-permanent, PFAS-free system. It is not positioned as a performance match for a permanent system. The trade-off for removing intentionally added PFAS is a lower number of cleaning cycles and a shorter service interval.



Durability under weathering



Once the condensation reaction is complete and the siloxane network is formed within the pore walls of the mineral substrate, three primary degradation mechanisms are significantly reduced:




UV: the siloxane backbone (Si-O-Si) has substantially higher UV resistance than carbon-chain polymers. The organic R group in a alkylsilane -treated concrete is shielded by overlying substrate material, not exposed at the surface.



Alkaline attack: cementitious substrates are strongly alkaline (pH 12 to 13). Silane treatments form covalent bonds in the same alkaline environment that would attack a surface film; the alkalinity catalyses bond formation rather than degradation.










"Without intentionally added PFAS": what the claim means



"Without intentionally added PFAS" is the correct claim language for Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI and for any formulation using it. It states that no PFAS compound has been deliberately introduced to achieve a functional property. It is defensible under REACH because it reflects a documented formulation decision rather than an absolute zero-detection guarantee.



For formulators incorporating it into their own products, carry the same precision into the product data sheet and customer documentation. "This formulation does not contain intentionally added PFAS" is the correct statement. Obtain written PFAS status confirmation from Evonik for the raw material and retain it as part of your REACH compliance documentation.



Reformulation: practical considerations




Substrate-specific validation: silane performance is substrate-dependent. Results on concrete do not automatically predict results on brick, render, natural stone or tile. Test the specific substrates in your specification under TL/TP AGS Beton and the Gütegemeinschaft requirements.



Application method review: penetrating silane systems have different application requirements from film-forming fluoropolymer coatings. Coverage rate, substrate preparation (dry and free of existing surface treatments) and application method should be confirmed with Evonik.



Product data sheet update: review and update all PFAS-related language in data sheets, SDS documents and marketing literature. Replace any instance of "PFAS-free" with "without intentionally added PFAS."



Customer specification equivalence: where existing approvals reference a permanent fluorinated formulation, a semi-permanent PFAS-free system will not reproduce the permanent system's cycle count or service life. Re-test under TL/TP AGS Beton to document the actual performance level of the reformulation rather than assuming equivalence.



Supply chain documentation: request written PFAS status statements from Evonik referencing the OECD universal PFAS definition, and retain them in your REACH compliance file.




Frequently asked questions



What is the chemistry difference between organofluorine and silane-based anti-graffiti systems?



Organofluorine chemistry gives oil repellency through the very low critical surface tension of the C-F bond (about 18 to 20 mN/m for PTFE, per Zisman, 1964), below the surface tension of both water and oil-based media. Silane chemistry gives water repellency by forming covalent bonds with the mineral substrate. Standard alkylsilane chemistry does not by itself resist oil-based graffiti. Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI uses a balanced hydrophobic and hydrophilic surface structure to reduce spray-paint adhesion, meeting the requirements for a semi-permanent system without intentionally added PFAS.



How is anti-graffiti performance evaluated?



Not under ISO 11998, which describes the wet-scrub resistance of a coating rather than an impregnation system. Performance is tested under the German TL/TP AGS Beton standard (BASt) together with the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. requirements. Substrates are coated with three defined paint systems, cleaned with an approved graffiti cleaner, and the cleaning is repeated ten times on the same spot, with a Ci value recording the degree of paint removal. Permanent systems must pass ten cycles after weathering equivalent to ten years outdoors (3,000 hours QUV); semi-permanent systems target a lower cycle count.



Why do silane treatments behave differently from film-forming coatings?



They form covalent bonds with the substrate rather than sitting on top as a film, so they keep the substrate vapour-permeable and resist alkaline attack. For water repellents this is reinforced by penetration into the pore structure, as confirmed in peer-reviewed studies. For surface protection systems such as anti-graffiti products, durability comes from surface bonding rather than deep penetration, and abrasion remains a limit for all of them, PFAS-based or not.



What is the Sd value and why does it matter for facade treatments?



The Sd value (equivalent diffusion thickness), measured under EN ISO 7783, represents resistance to water vapour transmission. A low Sd value (below 0.1 m is the usual requirement for facade treatments) means moisture vapour can diffuse through the substrate. For concrete, masonry and natural stone facades, vapour permeability prevents internal pressure build-up that causes cracking, spalling and accelerated carbonation. Penetrating silane treatments achieve low Sd values because they line pore walls rather than blocking pores.



Does the universal PFAS restriction cover short-chain fluorinated silane modifiers?



Yes. The universal PFAS restriction submitted to ECHA in January 2023 applies the OECD universal PFAS definition: any substance containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom is within scope. C4 and C6 fluoroalkylsilanes are within scope alongside C8 compounds. Moving from long-chain to short-chain fluorinated chemistry did not resolve the regulatory exposure.



What performance testing is needed when reformulating to Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI?



Testing under TL/TP AGS Beton and the Gütegemeinschaft requirements on the specific substrates in the product specification. DIN 52617 (water absorption coefficient) and EN ISO 7783 (vapour permeability) provide additional confirmation. For facade panels, precast concrete tiles and materials exposed to freeze-thaw cycling, EN 12371 is also relevant.



What claim language should appear on a product data sheet for a formulation using Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI?



"Without intentionally added PFAS." This reflects a documented formulation decision and is the defensible wording under REACH. "PFAS-free" should not be used as a product claim because it implies a zero-detection guarantee that cannot be substantiated. Retain Evonik's written PFAS status statement for the raw material as part of the REACH compliance file.






Silane-Siloxane vs Organofluorine Chemistry in Anti-Graffiti Coatings: A Technical Comparison


A note on claim language: throughout this article, the phrase "does not contain intentionally added PFAS" is used when referring to product formulations. This is Evonik's own confirmed language for Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI and the precise regulatory language recommended under the current REACH framework. It reflects a documented formulation decision, no PFAS has been deliberately introduced for functional purposes. It does not constitute a guarantee that the product contains zero PFAS at trace levels, which cannot be substantiated given the widespread presence of PFAS in the environment and in some raw material supply chains. Formulators and suppliers should apply the same precision in their own claims.



The EU PFAS restriction creates a formulation challenge that the coatings industry is actively working through. If you are developing or maintaining anti-graffiti coatings or water-repellent surface treatments, the fluorinated chemistry used to achieve oil-repellency performance is within scope of the universal restriction proposal. This article explains the regulatory timeline, identifies which formulation types are affected, and outlines the technical pathway that is available today.





Understanding the challenge requires understanding why fluorinated chemistry entered anti-graffiti formulations in the first place. Water repellency and oil repellency are different problems. Water repellency, making liquid water bead up and run off a surface, is achievable with silane and siloxane chemistry. Oil repellency, the property that allows spray paint and marker ink to be removed without solvent, has historically relied on the low surface energy of the carbon-fluorine bond. That dual function is what the restriction now requires the industry to replicate through different chemistry.



What are PFAS, and how do they function in anti-graffiti formulations?



PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) is a class of man-made chemicals defined by the presence of at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom. The OECD published a universal definition in 2021 covering more than 10,000 individual substances, from legacy compounds such as PFOA and PFOS to short-chain fluorinated alternatives that were later developed as replacements.



In coating chemistry, the carbon-fluorine bond creates very low surface energy, meaning both water and oil-based liquids are repelled by the treated surface. For anti-graffiti applications, this dual effect, water and oil repellency together, makes the surface easy to clean: spray paint and marker residues can be removed with water or mild detergent rather than solvents. This combination of properties is what made fluorinated chemistry standard in anti-graffiti formulations.



Silane-based chemistry provides the water-repellent component of this performance profile but does not, on its own, deliver the same oil repellency. The formulation challenge created by the restriction is to find an alternative route to the combined performance, not simply to remove fluorinated ingredients.



The EU regulatory timeline



ECHA supports the PFAS restriction with targeted derogations: what changed in March 2026



On 26 March 2026, ECHA announced that its Risk Assessment Committee (final opinion, 2 March 2026) and its Committee for Socio-Economic Analysis (draft opinion, 10 March 2026) both support an EU-wide restriction on the manufacture, placing on the market and use of PFAS, with targeted derogations.



For anti-graffiti coatings this is the key point: derogations are meant for uses where alternatives are not yet available. Anti-graffiti protection already has a PFAS-free formulation pathway based on silane-siloxane chemistry, so formulators and specifiers should not plan on a derogation for this use.



RAC also recommends that any derogated use comes with emission controls, supply-chain communication and reporting. This increases the cost of staying on PFAS chemistry even where it remains allowed.



Next steps: the SEAC consultation closed on 25 May 2026, SEAC's final opinion is expected by the end of 2026, then the Commission drafts the restriction and Member States vote in the REACH Committee.



The restriction process has developed over several decades and across multiple regulatory instruments. The current universal restriction proposal is the most significant step to date.



2009: PFOS restricted in the EU under the Persistent Organic Pollutants Regulation, following its listing under the Stockholm Convention. First major PFAS substance addressed at EU level.



2020: PFOA and related compounds restricted under the EU POPs Regulation (Commission Delegated Regulation 2020/784), covering surface treatments and coatings. Long-chain PFAS specifically.



13 January 2023: regulatory authorities from Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway and Sweden submitted a universal PFAS restriction proposal to ECHA. Scope: approximately 10,000 PFAS substances under a single restriction, including short-chain alternatives. Coatings and surface treatment applications are explicitly listed as a use category. Over 5,600 responses were received during the public consultation.



3 March 2026: ECHA's Risk Assessment Committee (RAC) adopted its final opinion supporting an EU-wide restriction with targeted derogations.



26 March 2026: ECHA published RAC's final opinion alongside the Socio-Economic Analysis Committee's (SEAC) draft opinion, and opened a 60-day public consultation on SEAC's draft opinion, running until 25 May 2026. Both committees concluded that existing measures are insufficient and that further EU-wide action is needed.



Next steps: once SEAC finalises its opinion, expected by the end of 2026, the European Commission and EU Member States will decide on the restriction. Specific transitional periods by use category will be set at that stage. A restriction entering into force before 2027 is unlikely. The direction of travel is confirmed.



Important for formulators: the universal restriction covers short-chain fluorinated compounds. Reformulating from C8 to C4 or C6 chemistry did not resolve the regulatory exposure. Any intentionally added PFAS, regardless of chain length, is within scope.



Which coating formulation types are affected?



The restriction targets intentionally added PFAS, those introduced to achieve a functional performance benefit. The following coating categories fall within scope:




Coatings where fluorinated polymers, co-monomers or additives are used to achieve oil repellency or graffiti resistance



Water-repellent masonry treatments that use fluorinated components for enhanced easy-clean performance



Surface treatments for prefabricated construction products where anti-pollution or anti-graffiti performance is delivered through fluorinated surface modification




Coatings and treatments based exclusively on silane or siloxane chemistry, without fluorinated components, are not affected by the universal restriction. This applies to the majority of the Protectosil® range from Evonik, which is silane-based. The PFAS formulation challenge is specific to grades requiring oil repellency alongside water repellency.



Industry context: many coating suppliers and raw material manufacturers are working through the same formulation challenge. The restriction creates a transition period for the sector as a whole. This article does not position any currently available product as non-compliant, the restriction is not yet in force, and many suppliers are actively developing alternatives. The purpose is to help formulators understand their timeline and available options.



What the restriction means for formulators



For a formulator developing or maintaining an anti-graffiti coating, the restriction creates three immediate questions.



1. Does my current formulation contain intentionally added PFAS?



Review your raw material safety data sheets and request written PFAS status statements from your suppliers. Apply the OECD universal PFAS definition: any substance containing at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom is within scope. Fluorinated surfactants, fluorinated polymers and fluorinated co-monomers introduced for oil repellency or surface modification are all within scope.



2. What is the performance target I need to match?



The commercial benchmark for anti-graffiti performance is the German TL/TP AGS Beton standard from the Federal Highway Research Institute (BASt), combined with the requirements of the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. (Quality Association Anti-Graffiti). Not ISO 11998, which measures wet-scrub resistance for paints and varnishes rather than the cleanability of an impregnation system. Under TL/TP AGS Beton, graffiti-protected substrates are coated with three defined paint systems; the paint is removed with an approved graffiti cleaner; cleaning is repeated ten times on the same location; and performance is expressed as a Ci value reflecting the degree of paint removal. For a permanent system, the requirement is ten cleaning cycles after artificial weathering equivalent to ten years of outdoor exposure (3,000 hours of QUV). Semi-permanent systems are designed for a lower number of cycles.



Any reformulation must demonstrate equivalent performance under TL/TP AGS Beton and the Gütegemeinschaft requirements. This is the benchmark that specifiers reference and that customers will require before accepting a reformulated product.



3. What formulation pathway is available?



The challenge is to match the combined water and oil repellency of fluorinated systems using alternative chemistry. Silane-based systems achieve durable water repellency through chemical bonding with the mineral substrate. The oil-repellency component requires specific system design: chemistry selection, concentration, application method and substrate type all affect graffiti-removal performance. Validated systems are now available; the technical comparison is covered in silane-siloxane vs organofluorine chemistry..



The silane-siloxane formulation pathway



Silane chemistry achieves water repellency by penetrating mineral substrates, concrete, brick, stone, tile, and reacting chemically with surface silanol groups to form covalent bonds. The result is a hydrophobic zone within the material, not a surface film. Because the treatment is integrated into the substrate, penetrating silane water repellents offer significantly longer service life than film-forming treatments.



Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI from Evonik is a silane-based system formulated to deliver anti-graffiti performance that does not contain intentionally added PFAS. It is a surface-applied, non-penetrating system, distinct from Evonik's deep-penetrating water-repellent range, and is the specific product in scope for this campaign and the reference point for formulators and material manufacturers assessing their options in this category. 



Reformulation checklist



Before the restriction enters into force, formulators should work through the following steps:




Audit current formulations. Identify any raw materials containing intentionally added PFAS against the OECD universal definition.



Request PFAS status statements from all relevant suppliers. Retain written confirmation.



Establish your TL/TP AGS Beton baseline. Document current performance under TL/TP AGS Beton and the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti requirements before beginning reformulation.



Run reformulation trials with candidate systems. Test against TL/TP AGS Beton, the Gütegemeinschaft requirements, and DIN 52617 water absorption benchmarks.



Align claim language. Use "does not contain intentionally added PFAS" consistently. Update safety data sheets and technical data sheets. Do not use "PFAS-free" as a product claim.



Communicate with customers on specification equivalence and transition timeline. If your customers are writing public tender specifications, the clause wording they'll need is covered in our guide to anti-graffiti specification clauses




Frequently asked questions



What is the legal definition of PFAS under EU law? 



The most widely applied reference is the OECD definition (2021): a substance is a PFAS if it contains at least one fully fluorinated methyl or methylene carbon atom. The universal PFAS restriction dossier submitted to ECHA in January 2023 adopts this definition and covers approximately 10,000 individual substances.



Are all PFAS being restricted at the same time? 



ECHA's scientific committees have confirmed support for an EU-wide restriction with targeted derogations. The final restriction will include use-category-specific transitional periods, set by the European Commission following adoption. Some substances, PFOA and PFOS, are already restricted under existing EU regulations.



Does reformulating from long-chain to short-chain chemistry resolve the regulatory exposure? 



No. The universal restriction covers short-chain compounds (C4, C6) as well as long-chain compounds (C8 and above). Any intentionally added substance containing at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom is within scope, regardless of chain length.



What performance test is used to validate anti-graffiti coatings? 



Not ISO 11998, which is a wet-scrub resistance test for paints and varnishes. Anti-graffiti performance is tested under the German TL/TP AGS Beton standard (BASt) together with the Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. requirements: three defined paint systems, an approved graffiti cleaner, ten cleaning cycles on the same spot, and a Ci value recording the degree of paint removal. Complementary tests include DIN 52617 (water absorption) and EN ISO 7783 (vapour permeability, Sd value).



Did ECHA approve the PFAS restriction?



ECHA's committees support it. RAC adopted its final opinion on 2 March 2026 and SEAC its draft opinion on 10 March 2026. The Commission will propose the legal text after SEAC's final opinion, expected by the end of 2026.



Will anti-graffiti coatings get a PFAS derogation?



Derogations target uses without available alternatives. PFAS-free silane-siloxane anti-graffiti systems exist, so planning on a derogation is risky.



What does "does not contain intentionally added PFAS" mean, and why is it used instead of "PFAS-free"? 



It indicates that no PFAS compound has been deliberately introduced into the formulation for functional purposes. It is the correct claim language under the current regulatory framework, and the wording Evonik itself uses for Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI, because it reflects a documented formulation decision and is legally defensible under REACH. The broader claim "PFAS-free" implies a zero-detection guarantee across all possible sources, including raw material supply chains and environmental background levels. That guarantee cannot be substantiated for most formulated products and should not be used as a product claim.



Where can I access the ECHA PFAS restriction dossier and committee opinions? 



The restriction dossier, RAC final opinion, and SEAC draft opinion are publicly available at echa.europa.eu, under Hot Topics, PFAS, for the most current timeline and status.



Does the restriction affect the full Protectosil® range? 



No. The majority of the Protectosil® range from Evonik is silane-based and does not contain intentionally added PFAS. The formulation challenge is specific to grades requiring oil repellency alongside water repellency, the anti-graffiti segment specifically. Protectosil® ECO-TRETE ANTIGRAFFITI is the relevant product for that segment.



Download the PFAS Transition Guide. A 16-page reference covering the restriction timeline, affected formulation types, the technical pathway, and a specification clause template for specifiers. Free download.



Sources




European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). ECHA supports PFAS restriction with targeted derogations. March 2026.



European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Universal PFAS restriction proposal. February 2023.



European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), hot topics.



OECD (2021). Reconciling terminology of the universe of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Series on Risk Management No. 61.



Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/784 of 8 April 2020, listing of PFOA under the POPs Regulation. EUR-Lex.



Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 on persistent organic pollutants. EUR-Lex.



TL/TP AGS Beton (BASt) and Gütegemeinschaft Anti-Graffiti e.V. (ReGG) performance requirements. German technical regulations, no public URL.







See the Evonik PROTECTOSIL range, download TDS and request samples.

Specifying anti-graffiti protection? 

PFAS in Anti-Graffiti Coatings: The EU Restriction Timeline and What Formulators Need to Know 


Quick answer: Longevity skincare no longer seeks to erase wrinkles on the surface. It tackles the biological mechanisms that cause the skin to age: cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, degradation of the extracellular matrix. This preventive and cellular approach redefines what it means to “take care of your skin over the long term.”



Wrinkles remain the most visible symbol of ageing. Yet dermatology researchers and formulators now consider them a symptom, not a cause. This shift in focus towards the root causes of skin ageing represents one of the most important changes in skincare science in two decades.



The market is following this evolution. The global anti-ageing sector was valued at approximately 71.6 billion dollars in 2024 and is expected to reach 143 billion by 2033, with an annual growth rate of around 7.9%. It is not demand for conventional anti-wrinkle creams that is driving this growth: it is the increasing interest in active ingredients that target biological ageing at its most fundamental level.





What is skin biomechanics?



Skin biomechanics refers to all the physical and mechanical properties of the skin: its elasticity, its tensile strength, and its ability to recover its shape after deformation. These properties depend directly on the dermal extracellular matrix (ECM), a three-dimensional network composed mainly of collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid.



Research has shown that the link between the ECM and the cells that produce it works in both directions. Dermal fibroblasts secrete collagen and elastin, but in return they receive mechanical signals from the ECM that regulate their activity. When collagen integrity is compromised, as is the case during chronological ageing or under the effect of UV rays, mechanotransduction is disrupted. Fibroblasts lose their biochemical reference points, their function deteriorates, and collagen synthesis slows down even further in a well-documented vicious circle.



A study published in Aging Cell in 2023 describes this process precisely: skin ageing manifests itself through a reduction in the thickness and resilience of the dermis, linked to the decrease in the synthesis of ECM components and their increased degradation by aged fibroblasts.



Another study, published in Aging Cell in 2024 and conducted on human samples covering a broad age spectrum, shows that dermal stiffness governs the topography of the epidermis and the basement membrane. With age, the depletion of hemidesmosomes impairs the maintenance of epidermal stem cells, weakening the skin’s regenerative capacity.



The hallmarks of skin ageing: beyond wrinkles



The science of longevity applied to the skin is based on a conceptual framework developed from the work of López-Otín et al., taken up and adapted to dermatology by several recent reviews. A 2023 publication in Aging and Disease identifies seven hallmarks of skin ageing: genomic instability and telomere attrition, epigenetic alterations, loss of proteostasis, dysregulation of the nutrient-sensing system and its signalling pathways, mitochondrial dysfunction, cellular senescence, and altered intercellular communication.



These biological processes do not occur in a linear sequence: they interact, mutually amplify one another, and together accelerate tissue degradation.



Cellular senescence and the SASP phenotype



Cellular senescence deserves particular attention because it directly links cell biology to the visible signs of ageing. Senescent cells stop dividing under the effect of stress, but they remain metabolically active and secrete a group of pro-inflammatory molecules called the SASP (Senescence-Associated Secretory Phenotype). This cocktail includes matrix metalloproteinases (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-9), which actively degrade the collagen of the ECM.



A review published in PMC in 2024 on senescent dermal fibroblasts specifies that SASP components maintain autocrine senescence within fibroblasts and, at the same time, propagate senescence to neighbouring cells through paracrine signalling, thereby exacerbating tissue dysfunction across the entire dermis.



Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress



Cellular energy is at the heart of skin ageing. When mitochondria become dysfunctional, ATP production decreases and the production of free radicals (ROS) increases. This oxidative stress directly impairs fibroblast function, collagen structure and the skin barrier. A review published in Frontiers in Aging in 2025 on longevity cosmeceuticals describes this mitochondrial mechanism precisely as one of the central accelerators of photoageing.



Autophagy, a cellular maintenance mechanism



Autophagy is the process through which cells degrade and recycle their own damaged components. This maintenance mechanism plays a protective role against the accumulation of misfolded proteins and dysfunctional mitochondria. The Aging and Disease review (2023) confirms that autophagy decreases in aged fibroblasts, keratinocytes and melanocytes, contributing to the loss of proteostasis and the progression of skin ageing.



Why conventional anti-wrinkle skincare is no longer enough



As the skin is a mechanical and sensory organ, its long-term health depends on the integrity of its deep structures.



A proteomic and secretomic study on young human fibroblasts (under 35 years old) and aged human fibroblasts (over 55 years old), published in Aging in 2024, shows that cytoskeletal alterations are key markers of fibroblast cellular ageing, resulting in reduced mechanical skin tension and wound-healing defects. These alterations precede visible signs, sometimes by several years.



It is precisely within this time window that longevity skincare is positioned: intervening at the cellular level before the signs of ageing are expressed on the surface.



Active ingredients that target biomechanics and cellular longevity



Bioactive peptides



Peptides represent one of the best-documented active ingredient families for stimulating collagen production. They act as biological messengers, signaling fibroblasts to produce more extracellular matrix. A randomized double-blind clinical trial published in Cosmetics in 2024 demonstrated that supplementation with low molecular weight collagen peptides significantly reduced wrinkles and improved skin elasticity within 6 weeks in women aged 30 and older.



A similar trial published in Dermatology Research and Practice in 2024, conducted with high-resolution ultrasound imaging, confirmed an increase in collagen content in the papillary dermis after 12 weeks of daily hydrolyzed collagen supplementation.



Seno-active ingredients: fisetin and EGCG



Peptides represent one of the best-documented families of active ingredients for stimulating collagen production. They act as biological messengers, signalling fibroblasts to produce more extracellular matrix. A randomised double-blind clinical trial published in Cosmetics in 2024 demonstrated that supplementation with low-molecular-weight collagen peptides significantly reduced wrinkles and improved skin elasticity within 6 weeks in women aged 30 and over.



A similar trial published in Dermatology Research and Practice in 2024, conducted using high-resolution ultrasound imaging, confirmed an increase in collagen content in the papillary dermis after 12 weeks of daily supplementation with hydrolysed collagen.



NAD+ and mitochondrial precursors



NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a central coenzyme in cellular energy metabolism. Its level declines with age, contributing to reduced cellular energy and mitochondrial dysfunction. Precursors such as NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide) and NR (Nicotinamide Riboside) help support cellular lifespan by restoring NAD+ levels and activating sirtuins, proteins involved in DNA repair and the regulation of oxidative stress.



Astaxanthin as a mitochondrial protector



Astaxanthin, a carotenoid extracted from microalgae, activates the Nrf2 pathway (Nuclear Factor Erythroid 2-related Factor, a transcription factor involved in the cellular response to oxidative stress) and exerts a documented mitochondrial protective action. The Frontiers in Aging review (2025) cites data showing that it improves elasticity, hydration and wrinkle reduction by mitigating oxidative damage at the dermal level.



Note: Organic silicon, particularly in the form of silanols, also plays a role in collagen synthesis and the maintenance of dermal structure by activating fibroblasts and participating in the mineralisation of the extracellular matrix.



Formulating longevity skincare: challenges and constraints



The transition from corrective cosmetics to a comprehensive approach centred on skin longevity involves complex formulation choices. Targeting the biological processes responsible for ageing requires active ingredients that are stable, capable of penetrating to the targeted dermal layers, and compatible with the other components of the formula.



The Frontiers in Aging review (2025) emphasises that, unlike marketing-driven products, longevity cosmeceuticals require rigorous scientific validation, combining contributions from dermatology and longevity science. This requirement transforms the criteria used to select active ingredients: increased attention to documented mechanisms of action, measurable biomarkers (dermal density, thickness, hydration, cellular markers), and clinical evaluation methods (high-frequency ultrasound imaging, confocal imaging, proteomic analyses).



The Cureus review (2024) on actionable topical strategies against the hallmarks of skin ageing confirms that combining targeted topical therapies with minimally invasive procedures represents a significant advance in aesthetic medicine, paving the way for personalised strategies to slow visible ageing.



The future of beauty: preventive, cellular, measurable



Skin longevity is not simply a marketing promise. It is a scientific direction structured around precise biological mechanisms, objective biomarkers and active ingredients whose effects are documented at the cellular level. What recent scientific advances make possible is to think of “skin longevity” no longer as an aesthetic ideal, but as a measurable and accessible state of skin health.



Longevity skincare seeks to maintain young and functional cells for as long as possible, regenerate degraded dermal structures, and restore the skin’s natural ability to maintain and repair itself.



It is a proactive approach that fundamentally changes the relationship between healthy skin and skincare. And, according to researchers, it is the only approach that is truly relevant when faced with the biological mechanisms of ageing.



FAQ: skin longevity and skin biomechanics



What is the difference between conventional anti-ageing skincare and longevity skincare?



Longevity skincare targets the biological processes underlying the first signs of ageing and even before they appear: cellular senescence, mitochondrial dysfunction, and degradation of the extracellular matrix. The objective is not to conceal the signs of ageing, but to delay them by maintaining cellular health.



What is cellular senescence and how does it affect the skin?



Cellular senescence refers to the state of a cell that stops dividing after stress (UV exposure, oxidation, telomere shortening) but remains active. Senescent cells secrete inflammatory molecules (SASP) that degrade collagen and spread dysfunction to neighbouring cells. In the dermis, the accumulation of senescent fibroblasts progressively reduces extracellular matrix production and accelerates visible skin ageing.



What role do fibroblasts play in skin ageing?



The fibroblast is the key cell in dermal architecture. It synthesises collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid, and ensures the homeostasis of the extracellular matrix. With age, fibroblasts age, lose their contractile function and secrete more matrix-degrading enzymes (MMPs). This process is aggravated by the loss of mechanotransduction when the matrix itself is degraded.



Are peptides really effective for collagen production?



Yes, under certain conditions. Randomised double-blind clinical trials, published in 2024 in Cosmetics and Dermatology Research and Practice, show measurable improvements in dermal density, elasticity and wrinkle reduction with hydrolysed collagen peptide supplements. The results are significant after 6 to 12 weeks of daily use. The route of administration (oral vs topical) and the molecular weight of the peptides influence their bioavailability and effectiveness.



What is NAD+ and why is it used in cosmetics?



NAD+ is a central coenzyme in cellular energy metabolism. Its level declines with age, contributing to the reduction in cellular energy and the mitochondrial dysfunction observed in aged fibroblasts and keratinocytes. Precursors such as NMN and niacinamide make it possible to partially restore these levels and support DNA repair through sirtuins. Niacinamide, a precursor of NAD+, is also one of the best-tolerated and best-documented topical active ingredients in dermatology.



How is skin longevity measured objectively?



Several non-invasive methods can be used to assess the biomarkers of skin ageing: high-frequency ultrasound (20–100 MHz) measures dermal thickness and density; confocal microscopy assesses collagen content in vivo; cutometry measures elasticity and skin fatigue; corneometry quantifies epidermal hydration.


Skin Longevity: Why Brands Are Targeting Skin Biomechanics, Not Just Wrinkles


Quick answer: Sustainable chemistry rests on three levers that formulators can combine, not choose between: bio-based feedstocks that replace fossil carbon, circular material flows that keep resources in use through recycling and mass balance certification, and REACH compliance that sets the legal floor for any substance placed on the EU market. None of the three works in isolation. A bio-based ingredient still has to clear REACH registration, and a circular feedstock still needs a genuine environmental case, not just a marketing one.



Sustainable chemistry in specialty chemicals



Sustainable chemistry is the practice of designing, sourcing and formulating chemical substances so that they reduce dependency on virgin fossil carbon, minimise waste and toxicity across their life cycle, and comply with the regulatory frameworks that govern their use, principally REACH in the European Union. For a distributor and formulator audience, it is less a single technology than a set of sourcing and compliance decisions made project by project: which feedstock to specify, which certification to ask a supplier for, and which regulatory obligations follow from that choice.



The term is often used loosely alongside green chemistry. The two overlap but are not identical.



Sustainable chemistry versus green chemistry



Green chemistry, as originally framed by Paul Anastas and John Warner, is a design discipline: it asks how to make a chemical reaction or process inherently less hazardous, using its twelve principles as a checklist (atom economy, safer solvents, catalysis, and so on). Sustainable chemistry is broader. It includes green chemistry principles but also covers feedstock origin (bio-based or fossil), end-of-life circularity, and regulatory compliance across the whole value chain, not just the synthesis step. In practice, a formulator asking "is this ingredient sustainable" is usually asking a question that spans all three areas covered in this guide, not just process design.



Bio-based chemistry: definition and scope



A bio-based chemical is one in which some or all of the carbon originates from recently living biomass (plants, agricultural residues, algae, or biogenic waste) rather than from fossil petroleum. The distinction matters because bio-based is not automatically synonymous with biodegradable, non-toxic, or REACH-exempt: a bio-based molecule still has to be registered and evaluated on its own hazard profile.



Measuring and certifying bio-based content



Bio-based carbon content is quantified through radiocarbon analysis under ASTM D6866, which measures the ratio of carbon-14 (present in recent biomass, absent in fossil carbon) to total organic carbon in a sample, expressed as a percentage. This is the analytical backbone behind most bio-based labelling schemes, including the USDA BioPreferred Program and TÜV Austria's OK Biobased mark.



Alongside physical bio-based content, the industry also uses mass balance certification, most commonly through ISCC PLUS, to track a bio-based or recycled input through a shared production process and attribute a proportional share of output to a specific customer order, even when the physical molecules are mixed with conventional feedstock on the production line. This is how many polymer and specialty chemical producers offer bio-attributed grades without rebuilding dedicated plants. When evaluating a supplier claim, it is worth asking explicitly whether a "bio-based" grade is physically segregated, mass-balance attributed, or based on a book-and-claim credit system, since the practical implications for a customer's own carbon accounting differ.



Sectors adopting bio-based ingredients fastest



Market sizing for bio-based chemicals varies significantly depending on scope (bioplastics only versus the full chemical portfolio), which is worth flagging rather than repeating a single figure as fact. Fortune Business Insights put the global market at roughly 110 billion US dollars in 2025, growing near 9.6% a year to 2034, while Precedence Research estimated a similar 2025 base with Europe holding around half of global share. Independent of forecast scope, Cefic's indicators put bio-based chemicals turnover at 6 to 8% of total EU chemicals industry turnover today, which is a useful grounded baseline against which to read the more bullish market forecasts. Packaging, paints and coatings, cosmetics, and personal care are consistently cited as the applications adopting bio-based grades fastest, largely because drop-in bio-based polymers and emollients can substitute for fossil equivalents without reformulating the whole product.



Circular chemistry: closing the loop on feedstock



Circular chemistry means keeping carbon and material value in use for as long as possible through recycling, reuse, and alternative feedstock, rather than routing waste to landfill or incineration and drawing exclusively on virgin fossil resources for new production. For a deeper look at how this applies specifically to specialty chemical sourcing, see our dedicated piece on circular economy models for chemical distribution.



Chemical recycling versus mechanical recycling



Mechanical recycling physically reprocesses plastic waste (sorting, washing, shredding, extruding) without altering its chemical structure, which limits it to relatively clean, single-polymer waste streams. Chemical recycling breaks polymers back down to monomers or feedstock-grade molecules through processes such as pyrolysis or depolymerisation, which allows it to handle mixed or contaminated waste streams that mechanical recycling cannot process, and to output feedstock of virgin-equivalent quality. Cefic frames the two as complementary rather than competing routes, with chemical recycling positioned specifically for the harder-to-recycle fraction of plastic waste.



The EU Circular Economy Act and chemical suppliers



The Circular Economy Act is part of the European Commission's Chemicals Industry Action Plan, published in July 2025, and is intended to unlock markets for secondary raw materials, including recycled and chemically recycled feedstock, by clarifying when recyclate stops being classified as waste. As of mid-2026 the initiative has moved into its implementation phase alongside related measures such as the Circular Plastics Alliance relaunch and new EU rules on recycled content tracking. For chemical distributors and formulators, the practical consequence is a clearer legal pathway for specifying recycled-content feedstock across borders, which today is complicated by inconsistent waste classification between member states.



REACH compliance: the regulatory backbone



REACH, Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006, is the EU framework requiring companies to register, evaluate and, for the most hazardous substances, seek authorisation for chemicals manufactured or imported above one tonne per year. No sustainable chemistry initiative, bio-based or circular, replaces this obligation: a substance still has to clear REACH on its own hazard and exposure profile regardless of its carbon origin.



REACH regulation changes in 2026



On 27 April 2026, the European Commission confirmed it would not proceed with the comprehensive REACH revision that had been under discussion since 2020 under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability, following pushback over competitiveness concerns from parts of the European chemical industry. This does not mean REACH is static: the Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern kept expanding through the year, and Annex XVII restrictions, including new PFAS-related entries, continued to move forward. We track these updates in detail, including the current SVHC count and specific substances added, in our dedicated brief on 2026 REACH updates.



REACH obligations for formulators and distributors



A formulator sourcing a substance above the one-tonne threshold, or an article containing a Candidate List substance above 0.1% by weight, has communication and, in some cases, notification obligations that exist independently of any sustainability claim attached to the substance. In practice this means treating REACH status as a baseline filter applied before evaluating bio-based content or circularity credentials, not after.



Bio-based, circular and conventional feedstock compared







Building a&nbsp;sustainable&nbsp;chemistry&nbsp;approach&nbsp;as a&nbsp;formulator&nbsp;



Start from the application, not the label. A bio-based emollient that performs worse than its fossil equivalent, or a recycled-content polymer that fails a mechanical spec, does not advance a sustainability goal, it just creates a product problem. Three practical steps help avoid that:



First, ask suppliers for the certification behind any bio-based or circular claim, physical segregation, mass balance, or book-and-claim, rather than accepting the label alone. Second, confirm REACH status independently of the sustainability claim: registration status, SVHC presence, and any Annex XVII restriction apply regardless of carbon origin. Third, where a switch to bio-based or recycled feedstock is being evaluated for plastics and rubber applications, validate performance data (mechanical, thermal, ageing) against the incumbent grade before committing to a reformulation, since drop-in equivalence is common but not universal.



For the regulatory reasoning behind a broader shift toward more accountable sourcing across our own supply chain, our piece on responsible chemistry sets out how this connects to distributor-level sourcing decisions.



FAQ



Is sustainable chemistry the same as green chemistry? 



No. Green chemistry is a process design discipline focused on reducing hazard in chemical synthesis. Sustainable chemistry is broader and includes feedstock origin, circularity, and regulatory compliance across the value chain.



Did the EU cancel the REACH revision in 2026? 



The European Commission confirmed on 27 April 2026 that it would not proceed with the comprehensive REACH revision proposed under the Chemicals Strategy for Sustainability. Existing REACH obligations, including SVHC Candidate List updates and Annex XVII restrictions, continue to apply and evolve.



Is a bio-based ingredient automatically exempt from REACH?



No. Bio-based origin has no bearing on REACH registration or restriction status. Every substance is evaluated on its own hazard and exposure profile, whichever feedstock it comes from.



What is mass balance certification? 



Mass balance, most commonly certified under ISCC PLUS, is an accounting method that allows a bio-based or recycled input mixed with conventional feedstock during production to be proportionally attributed to specific customer orders, without requiring physical segregation of the molecules.



What is the difference between mechanical and chemical recycling?



Mechanical recycling physically reprocesses plastic waste without changing its chemical structure and works best on clean, single-polymer streams. Chemical recycling breaks polymers down to monomer or feedstock level, which allows it to process mixed or contaminated waste and to output virgin-equivalent feedstock.


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Sustainable Chemistry: Bio-Based, Circular and REACH-Compliant Solutions 

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