Vesconite Bearings confirms PFAS-free status of long-standing standard material

Vesconite Bearings is pleased to confirm that its long-established Standard Vesconite bearing material is completely free of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) and has been since its development in 1969.

This includes the absence of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), a commonly used fluoropolymer that is now increasingly targeted under international environmental legislation due to its persistence in the environment. With tightening PFAS regulations across the European Union, the United States, and other jurisdictions, Vesconite Bearings offers manufacturers, plant operators, and OEMs a proven, compliant alternative that does not compromise on performance.

"Standard Vesconite was engineered from the beginning to be a dry-running, self-lubricating material," says Vesconite Bearings CEO Dr Jean-Patrick Leger. "More than 50 years on, its PFAS-free formulation is gaining new relevance as industrial users seek to move away from fluorinated substances without sacrificing durability or efficiency."

Standard Vesconite's dry-running performance is made possible through internal lubrication that reduces the need for external greasing. This translates into smoother operation, lower maintenance, and longer service life - all without relying on environmentally contentious additives.

Importantly, Standard Vesconite's composition and performance profile make it suitable for a wide range of bearing and wear part applications in sectors such as agriculture, water treatment, mining, construction, marine, and food processing. Its dimensional stability, low coefficient of friction, and chemical resistance ensure reliability in challenging operating environments.

"Standard Vesconite gives users peace of mind that their operations won't be impacted by future restrictions," says Leger.

"It's a time-tested material that's already helping companies meet compliance requirements while reducing maintenance costs and improving operational performance."

For industries seeking reliable bearing and wear solutions that support PFAS-related compliance, Standard Vesconite remains a forward-looking, environmentally responsible choice.

77 Mimetes Rd,
Denver,
Johannesburg,
2094
South Africa

The story of Vesconite Bearings goes back to 1958. Originally focused on engine reconditioning and hard-chroming, in 1968, founder and chemical engineer Alain Leger began researching the potential for bearing materials in the ultra-deep gold mines of South Africa - a notoriously harsh environment characterised by abrasive dust and moisture.

Vesconite Bearings is a world-leading manufacturer of low-friction, low-wear bearing materials for a wide range of industries, including the pump, agricultural, rail, mining, heavy transport, hydro, wind and wave energy, earthmoving, marine and construction industries.

Our factory is based in Virginia, South Africa, and spans an area of 15,000 m2. This is one of the largest polymer engineering facilities in the world, producing Vesconite, Vesconite Hilube, Vesconite Superlube, Hitemp 150, Hitemp 160, Hitemp 230, Vescoflex, Hilube 10, Hilube 20, Ultrablack, Vescolene and Polycap bearing and wear materials.

The company has 100 CNC machines, including those with 5-axes that can make highly complex parts. The company is particularly proud of our large-volume production facility, which produces production runs of 10,000 to 100,000 per part a year, and our extra-large-bearing production unit, which can quickly produce two-meter-long bearings with outside diameters of up to 1,6 metres.

This release was published on openPR.