Treotham Automation is helping companies navigate environmental regulations by providing alternatives to PTFE and PFAS while maintaining performance in demanding applications.
The evolving technological advancements in Australia’s food and beverage manufacturing sector are nothing new. Every day, challenges are addressed with solutions that improve processes, from sourcing and production to packaging and delivery. One company trying to streamline processes is Treotham Automation, which has offered a range of automation solutions for more than three decades.
Established in 1992, Treotham began as a small enterprise supplying industrial automation products. Today, it has grown into a national distributor of energy chains, chainflex cables, polymer bearings and flexible conduit systems. The company has long-standing partnerships with international manufacturers such as igus and PMA and manages distribution through a network of warehouses across Australia, stocking more than 10,000 products.
In the food and beverage industry, where hygiene, safety and sustainability are paramount, Treotham Automation supplies products designed to meet the strict demands of the sector. With its large national footprint across Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth, the company highlights the role of “motion plastics” in ensuring high-quality, efficient and sustainable manufacturing.
Importance of motion plastics
Treotham Automation’s focus on automation control and systems tailored to different industries is closely tied to motion, which always carries the risk of wear. Maintenance is one of the biggest challenges in food and beverage manufacturing, particularly due to labour costs and downtime. Resistance to corrosive cleaning agents and the ability to withstand extreme temperatures are equally important in food processing.
When faults slip through in manufacturing, the result can be wasted production time or even irreparable damage. Treotham’s partnership with igus helps address these issues by ensuring hygiene in food and beverage manufacturing.
German-based igus specialises in motion control components and polymer-based bearing solutions for multiple industries, with many of its products approved for food applications. Its motion plastics are designed for low maintenance and long service life while reducing the need for external lubrication. With the help of low-wear polymers, components for industrial movement including energy chains, cables and linear guide systems, improve both durability and efficiency.
For example, igus’ iglidur coating powder can be applied to metallic surfaces to protect stressed areas from wear. The tribologically optimised polymer powder, which is tested according to DIN EN ISO 9227 with salt spray, demonstrated corrosion protection quality after 480 hours of testing.
Applicable in beverage filling lines and packaging equipment, igus uses a variety of materials including polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a synthetic fluoropolymer plastic. PTFE ensures low-friction, dry operation and reduces the need for lubricants. It is part of the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) family, known for their resistance to wear, weathering, chemicals and extreme temperatures. These substances are often described as “forever chemicals” because of their long service life and environmental persistence.
Widening the portfolio
The durability of PFAS and PTFE also means they are difficult to degrade in the environment. Over time, these substances can harm ecosystems, animals and humans. With stricter global regulations being introduced to reduce environmental impacts, industries such as food and beverage manufacturing are under pressure to find alternatives. The European Union (EU), for example, is considering banning PFAS altogether.
Through new formulations, testing and adapted production processes, igus has expanded its portfolio of materials that avoid PTFE and PFAS. Treotham Automation has committed to delivering these solutions to Australian food and beverage manufacturers who are conscious of reducing their environmental footprint. This effort applies not only to the products themselves but also to the entire supply chain.
With igus’ materials that contain no PTFE or PFAS, manufacturers now have a choice that maintains performance while keeping costs manageable. These alternatives are tested under real conditions, ensuring they meet specifications without compromising safety or efficiency. Importantly, they are also inexpensive and free of ingredients that may face future regulatory bans.
While the environmental benefits are clear, Treotham’s long-standing partnership with igus also ensures that performance remains the top priority.
Results of substituted PTFE
According to igus, materials that replace PTFE perform better in terms of friction and wear compared with the original. Wear rates were reduced by up to 60 per cent, while temperature stability, mechanical load-bearing capacity and shrinkage behaviour remained almost the same. Materials such as iglidur JPF and iglidur WPF, which are PTFE-free, have already been tested and released.
In total, igus now offers more than 40 materials that exclude over 100 types of PFAS considered environmentally harmful. This range gives manufacturers flexibility while supporting compliance with tightening regulations.
A long-term partnership for the industry
For Australian manufacturers, the availability of PFAS-free and PTFE-free solutions ensures that the sector can stay ahead of regulatory changes demanded in food and beverage production. By providing customers with options for functional materials that support both performance and sustainability, Treotham reinforces its values of innovation and problem-solving.
The company’s work reflects a broader trend in the industry – the move towards environmentally responsible technologies that still deliver results. By focusing on alternatives to PFAS and PTFE, it is not only addressing an environmental challenge but also supporting the future of food and beverage manufacturing in Australia.