Evonik highlights high-purity siloxane additives portfolio for coatings and inks amid new EU hazard classification rules

Evonik highlights high-purity siloxane additives portfolio for coatings and inks amid new EU hazard classification rules

(IN BRIEF) Evonik Coating Additives has confirmed through extensive analytical testing that more than 95% of its active siloxane-based coating and ink additives contain low levels of relevant Substances of Very High Concern, helping customers maintain compliance with evolving EU chemical regulations without reformulating products or switching to more expensive purified alternatives. The announcement comes as certain low-molecular-weight siloxanes face increased regulatory scrutiny under REACH and the latest CLP revision, which introduced the new EU hazard classes vPvB and PBT. The affected substances include L3, Octamethyltrisiloxane, CAS 107-51-7; L4, Decamethyltetrasiloxane, CAS 141-62-8; and M3T, Heptamethyl[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]trisiloxane, CAS 17928-28-8, all classified as vPvB with hazard phrase EUH441. Cyclic siloxanes D4, Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, CAS 556-67-2; D5, Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, CAS 541-02-6; and D6, Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, CAS 540-97-6, are classified as vPvB and PBT with hazard phrases EUH441 and EUH440. Evonik said careful raw material selection and optimised production processes have enabled its TEGO® siloxane additive portfolio to remain suitable for use in Ecolabel-certified paints and inks, while supporting customers with regulatory certainty, consistent performance and reduced resource use.

(PRESS RELEASE) ESSEN, 11-Jun-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Evonik Coating Additives is strengthening its positioning in regulatory compliance and sustainability by confirming that more than 95% of its active siloxane-based coating and ink additives contain low levels of Substances of Very High Concern, supporting continued use in Ecolabel-certified paints and inks.

The company said extensive analytical testing has verified the high purity of its siloxane-based additives portfolio. Through continuous process optimisation and the use of high-quality raw materials, Evonik has reduced the presence of relevant low-molecular-weight siloxane impurities, helping customers maintain compliance without the need for reformulation or switching to more costly purified alternatives.

The development comes amid recent regulatory changes in the European Union, where certain low-molecular-weight siloxanes have been classified as Substances of Very High Concern under REACH because they meet criteria linked to persistence and bioaccumulation. The latest Classification, Labelling and Packaging revision also introduced new EU hazard classes for vPvB, very persistent and very bioaccumulative substances, and PBT, persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic substances.

Under the updated rules, substances have been subject to new labelling obligations since May 2025, while mixtures face corresponding obligations from May 2026. Any product containing 0.1% or more of substances classified as vPvB and/or PBT must be classified and labelled accordingly, with vPvB requiring the hazard phrase EUH441 and PBT requiring EUH440.

The substances affected include several linear, branched and cyclic siloxanes. Short-chain linear and branched siloxanes recently added to the ECHA Candidate List of Substances of Very High Concern include L3, Octamethyltrisiloxane, CAS 107-51-7, classified as vPvB with EUH441; L4, Decamethyltetrasiloxane, CAS 141-62-8, classified as vPvB with EUH441; and M3T, Heptamethyl[(trimethylsilyl)oxy]trisiloxane, CAS 17928-28-8, classified as vPvB with EUH441.

Cyclic siloxanes already listed as SVHCs since 2018 include D4, Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, CAS 556-67-2; D5, Decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, CAS 541-02-6; and D6, Dodecamethylcyclohexasiloxane, CAS 540-97-6. These are classified as vPvB and PBT and therefore carry the hazard phrases EUH441 and EUH440 when present at relevant concentrations.

Evonik said these linear and cyclic siloxanes can occur as common impurities in many siloxane materials, but their concentration can be significantly reduced through careful raw material selection and optimised production processes. The company’s testing shows that more than 95% of its active TEGO® siloxane additive portfolio contains no levels of the relevant SVHC substances that would trigger classification as vPvB or PBT.

For customers in the coatings and inks industry, this means that siloxane-based TEGO® grades can continue to be used without regulatory disruption, reformulation or changes in product performance. Evonik said the result provides uninterrupted compliance, reliable supply and continued suitability for decorative paints and varnishes with Ecolabel certification.

Kristina Meier, Global Head of Product Line Silicone & Acetylenics at Evonik Coating Additives, said customers can rely on Evonik to anticipate regulatory changes and provide solutions that combine compliance and performance. She said the achievement reflects the company’s commitment to sustainability, regulatory excellence and simplifying compliance for customers and partners.

Evonik Coating Additives provides up-to-date material safety data sheets and regulatory information through COATINO®, its digital platform for coatings formulators.

The company offers a broad portfolio of additives for coatings and inks, including solutions for waterborne, radiation-curable and solvent-borne systems, as well as inkjet and printing inks. With its high-purity siloxane additive portfolio, Evonik aims to help customers meet evolving regulatory requirements while maintaining product performance and reducing the need for resource-intensive reformulation.

Easy access to up-to-date MSDSs as well as regulatory information is provided on www.coatino.com.

Evonik: Leading beyond chemistry

Evonik goes beyond the boundaries of chemistry with its combination of innovative strength and leading technological expertise. The global chemical company, headquartered in Essen, Germany, is active in more than 100 countries and generated sales of €14.1 billion and earnings (adjusted EBITDA) of €1.9 billion in 2025. The common motivation of the approximately 31,000 employees: to provide customers with a decisive competitive advantage with tailor-made products and solutions as a superforce for industry, thereby improving people’s lives. In all markets. Every day.

About Custom Solutions

The Custom Solutions segment focuses on innovation-driven, tailor-made solutions for customers in specific growth markets. These solutions include additives for coatings, adhesives and sealants, polyurethane foams and lubricants, catalysts, and ingredients for the cosmetics, cleaning and pharmaceutical industries. In 2025, the segment generated sales of €5.4 billion with around 9,500 employees.

Disclaimer

In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.

Media Contacts:

Fabian Schwane
Head of Market Communications Coating Additives
+49 172 213 3935
fabian.schwane@evonik.com

Dr. Jürgen Krauter
Head of Market Communications
+49 6181 59-6847
juergen.krauter@evonik.com

SOURCE: Evonik