Forever Analytical Enables PFAS Detection in Paints and Primers with Non-Destructive Screening
SOUTH BEND, Indiana (March 16, 2026) In laboratories and manufacturing facilities around the world, paints and primers are carefully engineered to protect surfaces from moisture, stains, and wear. But in recent years, scientists and regulators have begun asking a new question about these coatings: do they contain PFAS?
Known as “forever chemicals” because of their persistence in the environment, PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances—have been used for decades to enhance water and oil resistance in a variety of materials. Now, as governments tighten restrictions on PFAS and industries move toward safer alternatives, companies are working to identify where these chemicals may exist in their products. Forever Analytical, an environmental detection company based in South Bend, Indiana, is helping bring answers to the coatings industry through innovative, non-destructive PFAS screening technology.
The Role of PFAS in Coatings
PFAS have long been valued for their unique chemical characteristics. Their ability to repel moisture, resist oils, and withstand extreme conditions has made them useful in a wide range of industrial applications.
In coatings and surface treatments, fluorinated additives can enhance performance by improving stain resistance, durability, and chemical protection. However, these same properties also make PFAS highly persistent in the environment, leading to increasing regulatory attention worldwide.
As governments across the United States and Europe introduce restrictions on PFAS use, manufacturers are under growing pressure to understand whether these substances are present in their products or supply chains.
Detecting PFAS in Paints and Primers
Identifying PFAS in coatings can be challenging. Traditional testing methods often focus on a limited list of specific compounds, leaving the possibility that other fluorinated substances remain undetected.
Because PFAS are invisible, odorless, and often embedded in complex chemical formulations, reliable screening requires advanced scientific methods capable of identifying fluorine, the defining element in PFAS chemistry.
Forever Analytical addresses this challenge by screening for total fluorine, a key indicator that PFAS may be present within a material.
Innovative Non-Destructive Screening
Forever Analytical uses a specialized technique known as Particle Induced Gammaray Emission (PIGE) spectroscopy to screen materials for total fluorine. This technology allows scientists to analyze both liquid and solid materials without damaging them during the testing process.
For manufacturers and suppliers in the coatings industry, this approach offers several advantages:
- Non-destructive testing that preserves product samples
- Rapid screening results compared with traditional laboratory methods
- Detection of total fluorine rather than only a small subset of PFAS chemicals
- Compatibility with many materials, including coatings, polymers, and textiles
By measuring total fluorine levels, the technology can indicate whether PFAS were intentionally incorporated into a formulation during manufacturing.
Supporting Compliance and Product Development
As regulatory frameworks evolve, companies in the coatings industry are increasingly focused on verifying the chemical composition of their products. Screening technologies provide a practical way to evaluate both raw materials and finished coatings before they reach the market.
For manufacturers developing PFAS-free paints and primers, reliable testing can help confirm that new formulations meet internal standards and regulatory expectations.
Testing also provides valuable insight into supply chains, helping companies identify potential sources of fluorinated compounds that may appear unintentionally in production processes.
A Changing Landscape for Coatings
The coatings industry is undergoing significant transformation as sustainability, environmental impact, and chemical transparency become more prominent concerns.
Advances in materials science are leading to new paint and primer formulations designed to maintain durability and performance while reducing the use of persistent chemicals. At the same time, improved screening technologies are helping manufacturers better understand the materials they use.
By combining scientific innovation with rapid analytical capabilities, Forever Analytical is helping bring greater clarity to PFAS detection in paints, primers, and other coatings, supporting the development of safer and more sustainable products.
About Forever Analytical, Inc.
With operating locations in South Bend, Indiana, and Eindhoven, the Netherlands, Forever Analytical is an environmental diagnostics company that provides PFAS screening and monitoring services to global customers. The Company is also commercializing field deployable systems for onsite, real-time PFAS screening and monitoring for municipal and commercial water/wastewater plants, industry, environmental cleanup sites, and other labs. Forever Analytical’s patented proton-beam powered technology rapidly detects total fluorine (PFAS) and other contaminants in minutes and in so doing support fluorine-free human and environmental health.
CONTACT: Jenna Burd, jennaburd@yallasolutions.net