News — non-stick coatings

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.