Open Innovation Submission Portal

Non-Fluorinated (PFAS-Free) Anti-Fog Coating Materials for Fluorinated Substrates

Request Number 174607 | Author Kobayashi

Inquiries regarding this need:
yet2.com Asia Ltd. (Kobayashi Pharmaceutical Portal Site Team)
Tel： 03-5217-0217
Email: kobayashi@yet2.com

Deadline: December 11, 2026

Background：

At Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, our anti-fog products for optical lenses (e.g., eyeglasses), we currently use common fluorosurfactants (such as Capstone) to ensure the wetting and spreading of the coating liquid on lens substrates that have a fluorinated anti-fouling coating (low surface energy substrates), while also providing hydrophilicity (anti-fog properties). However, with the recent tightening of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) regulations, particularly in Europe, there is an urgent need to transition to fluorine-free (PFAS-free) alternative materials.

In our internal evaluations to date, we have faced the challenge that common non-fluorinated surfactants are repelled by the fluorinated substrate, failing to form a film. Furthermore, simply lowering the surface tension compromises the anti-fog performance of the outermost layer. Therefore, we are globally seeking new material designs and coating technologies—and development partners—capable of achieving wettability, anti-fog properties, and a low refractive index suitable for optical lenses on these difficult-to-adhere fluorinated substrates.

Key Requirements:

Materials, or combinations thereof, that can achieve both uniform wetting/spreading (film formation) and outermost anti-fog functionality on fluorinated substrates (such as PTFE) without using fluorinated materials. We are particularly interested in technologies such as the following:

• Urethane or acrylic resins that possess cationic structures, allowing them to adhere and form a film through interaction with the fluorinated surface.
• Non-fluorinated hybrid materials that can drastically lower surface tension (e.g., to 23 mN/m or below) while maintaining hydrophilic anti-fog properties. (We also welcome proposals even for materials that have excellent wettability but raise safety concerns, such as eye irritation, as there may be room for concentration adjustments.)
• Multi-component or two-layer coating technologies that introduce an intermediate layer between the substrate and the anti-fog layer to gradually control interfacial energy.

What We Are Not Looking For:

The following materials and technologies are out of scope:

• Materials containing PFAS.
• Conventional standard hydrocarbon-based surfactants and silicone oligomers (as our internal evaluation has already confirmed their insufficient wettability).
• Processes that require strong chemical treatments or physical roughening that significantly impair the physical properties of the fluorinated substrate, as well as processes requiring specialized high-temperature treatments.

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Requested Information for technology submission:

1. Material/Technology Characteristics: (Please describe the overview of the proposed material or coating process)
2. Mechanism of Action: (Please describe the mechanism that achieves both wetting/spreading on the fluorinated substrate and anti-fog properties)
3. Physical Properties and Composition Information: (Please provide known physical properties and classifications such as surface tension, electric charge, and safety information. Please note any concerns such as eye irritation if applicable)
4. Track Record: (Please note any track record of adoption in other applications or application to similar low surface energy substrates)
5. Development Stage: (Technical concept proven at the laboratory level, mass production technology under consideration, currently sold as a product, other)
6. Patent Rights: (Please indicate the status of patents held by the proposer or a third party)