Syensqo has been distinguished in the Materials Category of the 2025 Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) Innovation Awards for the "Most innovative use of plastics". The recognition relates to the first automotive sealing application of the company’s patented Tecnoflon FKM NFS, a non-fluorosurfactant fluoroelastomer used in a Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) valve O-ring developed with Freudenberg Sealing Technologies and implemented on some of the most recent General Motors vehicles.
The awarded component is based on Syensqo’s proprietary polymerization technology that enables the production of peroxide-curable fluoroelastomers (FKM) without the use of fluorosurfactants, while preserving the performance profile associated with conventional FKM grades. According to the company, Tecnoflon FKM NFS maintains uncompromised sealing performance despite the change in polymerization process. In addition, the material is certified for circular content, which the producer positions as evidence of its efforts to combine advanced material properties with progress toward circularity in polymer applications.
A panel of industry experts and media professionals within the framework of the SPE Innovation Awards evaluated the solution and selected Syensqo’s Tecnoflon FKM NFS for its performance in the PCV valve O-ring application. This part operates in the crankcase ventilation system of internal combustion engines, where exposure to oil mist, blow-by gases and temperature fluctuations places high demands on elastomeric sealing materials. In this context, the fluoroelastomer’s resistance to chemicals and heat is a key factor in ensuring dimensional stability and long-term functionality.
In connection with the award, Laura Hirschhorn, Executive Key Account Manager at Syensqo, stated: "This recognition represents a remarkable achievement for Syensqo, underscoring the company’s leadership in polymer innovation. Our Tecnoflon FKM NFS is a powerful example of how Syensqo continues to lead through technical excellence and strong collaboration with stakeholders such as GM and Freudenberg Sealing Technologies." The project highlights a collaboration along the automotive value chain involving material development, sealing design and vehicle integration.
Non-fluorosurfactant FKM for demanding engine environments
Engine sealing remains one of the most demanding fields of application for elastomers in the automotive industry. Components such as O-rings, gaskets and shaft seals must retain elasticity and sealing integrity under combined exposure to elevated temperatures, pressure variations and aggressive fluids including engine oils, fuels and combustion by-products. Failures in these systems can affect engine efficiency, emissions control and overall durability of the powertrain.
Tecnoflon FKM NFS is positioned by Syensqo as a material designed to meet these requirements while eliminating fluorosurfactants from the production process. In the PCV valve O-ring, the material’s chemical resistance is intended to protect against degradation caused by oil vapors and condensates, and its thermal stability supports performance under the temperature cycles characteristic of modern internal combustion engines. By maintaining sealing force and elasticity over time, the FKM grade is expected to contribute to consistent crankcase ventilation, which is linked to engine efficiency and emissions management.
The certification of Tecnoflon FKM NFS for circular content is another element highlighted by Syensqo. Although detailed data on the nature and proportion of circular content is not provided in the source information, the certification is presented as an indication that the material can support initiatives aiming at increased use of circular resources in high-performance polymer applications. For the automotive sector, such attributes can be relevant in the context of OEM sustainability strategies and regulatory expectations on resource efficiency.
By combining non-fluorosurfactant polymerization, certification for circular content and suitability for a critical under-hood sealing function, the Tecnoflon FKM NFS PCV valve O-ring exemplifies how material development can address both technical and environmental criteria. The SPE Innovation Award in the Materials Category highlights this approach and gives visibility to the cooperation between Syensqo, General Motors and Freudenberg Sealing Technologies on this specific implementation.
Syensqo, General Motors and Freudenberg Sealing Technologies teams receiving SPE Innovation Award 2025.
