News — fluoropolymer

Every piece of Mackies bakeware leaves our facility with a fluoropolymer coating system applied by Australia Surface Treatments (AST) — Australia's only Chemours-licensed industrial coating applicator. Here's what you need to know about the coatings on your production bakeware.

PTFE or PFA — Which System Is on Your Bakeware?

Mackies uses two Chemours fluoropolymer systems depending on your production requirements:

• PTFE (Teflon) — Our standard system for bread pans, flat trays, and general-purpose moulds. Film build of 25–35µm. Excellent release at a lower cost per unit.
• PFA — Our premium system for high-volume 24/7 operations and automated depanning lines. Film build of 35–200µm. Thicker, more abrasion-resistant, and longer intervals between recoats.

Both systems are FDA food-contact compliant. For a detailed comparison, see AST's PTFE vs PFA coating guide.

Why Coating Quality Matters

A properly applied fluoropolymer coating eliminates or significantly reduces the need for greasing agents, delivers consistent product release, and protects the steel substrate from corrosion. The coating is the consumable part — the bakeware itself lasts decades with periodic recoating.

All Mackies bakeware is coated using genuine Chemours materials applied to manufacturer specification, with full batch traceability. Every coating job is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty.

When to Recoat

Most production bakeries recoat their bakeware every 2 to 5 years depending on volume and product type. Signs you're due:

• Product sticking or requiring increased greasing
• Visible substrate showing through the coating
• Uneven release or inconsistent product shape

Recoating is almost always more economical than replacing bakeware. AST handles recoating for all Mackies bakeware — including strapped pan sets as complete assemblies. Read more in AST's guide on how long Teflon coating lasts.

Bakeware We Manufacture and Coat

• Bread pan sets (strapped)
• Flat trays and sheet pans
• Muffin, cupcake, and specialty trays
• Baguette and sub roll trays
• Custom moulds and forms

Mackies bakeware is designed and engineered in Australia for bakeries across Australia, New Zealand, Asia, and the Middle East. For the full rundown on coating options for production bakeware — including how we compare to Mecatherm, American Pan, Kaak, and Kempf equipment — see AST's comprehensive Teflon coating for bakeware guide.

Need a Quote?

Whether it's new bakeware with coating or a recoat on your existing fleet, contact Mackies on 1800 BAKE IT (1800 225 348) or request a coating quote from AST directly.

Non-stick coatings are essential for commercial bakeware performance. They reduce product release failures, minimise cleaning time and extend the working life of your pans and trays. But not all coatings are equal. Here's what you need to know about the coatings used on professional bakeware.

What Are Fluoropolymer Coatings?

Fluoropolymer is the family name for the non-stick coating materials used in commercial bakeware. The most common types are:

• PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) — the original and most widely used non-stick material, marketed as Teflon™ by Chemours. PTFE provides excellent release properties and is the standard for bread pans, baking trays and most commercial bakeware.
• PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy) — a premium fluoropolymer with superior chemical resistance and durability. Used in demanding applications where PTFE alone may not provide sufficient service life.
• ECTFE (Halar®) — manufactured by Solvay, this coating offers exceptional chemical and corrosion resistance. Commonly used in industrial applications beyond bakeware.

For a detailed side-by-side comparison of PTFE and PFA coating systems for bakeware, see our coating partner AST's PTFE vs PFA coating guide.

Why Coating Quality Matters

The performance of a non-stick coating depends on more than just the material. The application process is critical:

• Surface preparation — the metal substrate must be properly cleaned and roughened (typically by grit blasting) to create a mechanical bond with the coating.
• Primer coat — a bonding layer that adheres to both the metal and the topcoat.
• Mid-coat — in multi-coat systems, this builds thickness and improves durability.
• Topcoat — the smooth, low-friction surface that provides the non-stick release.

Single-coat systems are cheaper but wear through more quickly. Multi-coat systems like Mackies' Panglaze process deliver significantly longer service life, reducing total cost of ownership.

For more on FDA compliance requirements for fluoropolymer coatings in food production, see AST's food-grade Teflon coating guide.

Chemours Licensing

Genuine Teflon™ coatings should only be applied by licensed applicators approved by Chemours (the manufacturer of Teflon). Licensing ensures that applicators meet strict quality standards, use genuine materials, and follow approved application processes.

Not sure when your bakeware needs recoating? AST's guide on how long Teflon coating lasts covers the signs to look for and why recoating beats replacement.