Think differently. Do better.
There are those moments when a single question changes everything. For us, it was the simple—yet uncomfortable—question of whether lubricants really need PFAS and PTFE. Whether there really is no alternative. The answer we found was clearer than we had expected: Yes, there is another way. And in many cases, it’s even better.
As a CEO, you find yourself in many discussions about trends, regulation, and markets. But it’s rare to come across topics where you feel: This isn’t just about numbers or technology—it’s about direction. For me, PFAS was exactly that kind of topic. The more we looked into it, the clearer it became to me that these substances are not just a chemical problem, but a societal one. Their accumulation in the environment and in organisms is a silent but serious warning sign. And the political and regulatory signals are clear: the rules of the game are changing.
So we decided not to wait and see, but to forge ahead. It was precisely this commitment that gave rise to BECHEM Nexus Technology—the result of many years of development work and many uncomfortable questions. The most important of these was: Is it possible to do without PFAS and PTFE, and how can sustainability be combined with technical excellence? Today we can say: Yes, it is possible. And often, it’s even better. We’ve replaced PTFE with a new, in-house-developed formulation, thereby creating BECHEM Nexus Technology—a PFAS-free lubricant technology that doesn’t compromise but delivers: lower CO2 emissions and less impact on the environment and human health. At the same time, it achieves a level of performance that at least matches—and in many applications even sets new standards—across wide temperature ranges, under high loads, and in the most demanding applications.
The path to getting there proved to be challenging, complex, and time-consuming. But it was necessary. And it demonstrates what we stand for. For me, this technology embodies a fundamental shift in the way we understand industrial value creation. It demonstrates that environmental sustainability and technical excellence are not mutually exclusive. That we can protect sensitive ecosystems without making technical compromises. And that our customers do not have to choose between sustainability and performance, but can expect both—plus regulatory certainty and guidance in a changing environment.
BECHEM Nexus Technology marks the
beginning of a new generation from which
more PFAS-free products are continually emerging.
When I look back on this journey today, I am more convinced than ever that responsibility is the foundation of innovation. True progress comes when we are willing to question the status quo and rethink things. Not someday, but now. That is exactly what we have done. And that is exactly what we will continue to do. There is a better way. And we are taking it.