Syensqo launches first certified circular elastomers and lubricants, integrating recycled fluor, enhancing sustainability, supply chain resilience, and high-performance solutions.
Syensqo, a global leader in high-performance specialty polymers, has announced the worldwide availability of an innovative portfolio of elastomers and lubricant fluids with certified circular content. Produced at its Spinetta Marengo facility in Piedmont, Italy, these products incorporate up to 29% post-industrial recycled (PIR) hydrofluoric acid (HF) through a mass balance system, marking a significant step forward in sustainable manufacturing and circular economy practices.
These high-performance materials, which include Tecnoflon? FKM and FFKM elastomers as well as Fomblin? M lubricant fluids, are derived from fluorspar—a mineral recognized for its exceptional properties such as heat and chemical resistance and long-lasting lubrication. Their unique characteristics make them indispensable in highly specialized industrial applications, including semiconductor manufacturing, automotive engine components, battery and transmission seals, gaskets, and precision o-rings used in dry etch and deposition processes.
Fluorspar is considered a critical mineral under both the United States Energy Act and the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act. The EU, for example, aims to source at least 25% of its annual fluorspar consumption from domestic recycling by 2030. By recovering fluor from industrial waste directly within the Spinetta Marengo plant, Syensqo reduces reliance on a lengthy, globally distributed supply chain that traditionally spans mining, refining, and HF production. This approach not only shortens the supply chain but also enhances resilience against geopolitical, trade, and ESG-related risks.
Tom Wood, Senior Vice President and Head of Product & Asset Management for Syensqo Specialty Polymers, emphasized the significance of this development: “Customers in elastomers and lubricant fluids are increasingly seeking circular solutions to meet their ambitious sustainability and circular economy targets. Through this certification and our investment to expand recycled fluor production, we are proud to enable our clients to achieve these goals. Syensqo is now the first manufacturer to provide a certified circular portfolio in this product category, advancing the transition toward circular value chains in our markets.”
The certified circular portfolio empowers customers to integrate more sustainable materials into their operations without compromising performance, thereby accelerating their shift to a circular economy. As demand grows for these materials, especially in semiconductor, automotive, and other high-tech manufacturing sectors, Syensqo’s leadership in circular specialty polymers sets a new benchmark in the industry, demonstrating that high performance and sustainability can coexist seamlessly.
With this launch, Syensqo not only strengthens its supply chain resilience but also positions itself as a pioneer in providing circular solutions for specialty polymers, meeting evolving market demands while supporting global sustainability initiatives.
