Sol Gel Coatings from Ilag and Whitford
ILAG Sol-Gel Coatings
ILAG develops sol-gel-based ceramic coatings for cookware that are PFAS- and PTFE-free, with several key features:
- Hard and scratch-resistant, but somewhat brittle. The non-stick effect comes from siloxanes, not fluoropolymers.
- Whimsical color options, more efficient and environmentally friendly than traditional fluoropolymer coatings.
- Known under product lines such as:
- XERADUR 5: two coats, 40-60 µm thick, curing at approx. 250 °C
- XERADUR 3, XERADUR 2, XERAMAT, XERADUR Color: variations in layer thickness (35-60 µm) and temperature (approx. 250-270 °C)
- CERALON: one- or two-layer, PFAS-free, curing from about 200 °C, use temperature up to 250 °C; combines temperature stability, non-stick and ease of cleaning
Sol-gel coatings from ILAG are composed of a hard ceramic top and bottom coat, with good adhesion to pretreated substrates.
They offer in addition:
- Energy efficiency through lower curing temperatures, contributing to lower production emissions
- Environmentally friendly properties, including PFAS-free and broader color options
Whitford – Fusion® Coatings (Sol-Gel)
Whitford’s Fusion® coatings are sol-gel hybrid systems, water-based, without PFOA or PTFE, with organic and inorganic ceramic components
Variants:
- Fusion: improved non-stick, gloss and stain resistance compared to other ceramic nonstick systems
- Fusion TI: enriched with titanium particles, even higher wear resistance and durability
- Fusion HR: exceptional non-stick performance, longer lasting (more than 2.5x compared to other sol-gel ceramic coatings) under both thermal and chemical stresses
- Fusion X: one-coat system available in bright colors, suitable for extreme temperatures (up to about 500 °C), excellent for exterior or exterior solutions
Other benefits:
- Legal food safety certification in compliance with FDA and EU regulations (1935/2004)
- Weather and heat resistance: sol-gel systems tolerate extreme temperatures (up to 455 °C), much better than PTFE which already begins to degrade at about 345 °C
- Waterborne: easier in processing, cleaning and environmental process
- Lower energy consumption due to lower curing temperatures
- Compared to other sol-gel coatings, the advantages of Fusion are clear: better release, higher gloss and less stain sensitivity
Comparative Table
Feature / Manufacturer | ILAG Sol-Gel Coatings (XERADUR, CERALON) | Whitford Fusion® Sol-Gel Coatings. |
Technology | Sol-gel (siloxane-based) | Sol-gel hybrid (organic + inorganic) |
Waterborne | No (solvent-based or ceramic binder) | Yes |
Curing temperature | approx. 200-270 °C | Lower temperatures (no exact value) |
Temperature resistance | Up to about 250 °C | Up to approx. 455 °C or even 500 °C (Fusion X) |
Anti-stick / release | Good, hard surface, PFAS-free | Excellent, almost like PTFE |
Wear resistance | Hard, scratch-resistant | Fusion TI extra wear resistant |
Food safety certification | Standard test methods, PFAS-free | FDA & EU 1935/2004 certified |
Color Options | Broad, PFAS-free palette | Fusion X: bright colors possible |
Conclusion
- ILAG offers reliable, robust sol-gel coatings (such as XERADUR and CERALON series) that are durable, tough and PFAS-free, suitable for everyday cookware with low environmental impact.
- Whitford takes sol-gel technology further with the Fusion line: water-based systems with superior non-stick, stunning heat resistance and sophisticated aesthetics – with official food-compliance certifications.
