Yet2 is seeking, on behalf of Kobayashi Pharmaceutical, fluorine-free materials and coating technologies that wet and spread on low surface energy lens substrates while delivering anti-fog performance.

Background

Kobayashi Pharmaceutical currently uses common fluorosurfactants (such as Capstone) in its anti-fog products for optical lenses (e.g., eyeglasses). These ensure the wetting and spreading of the coating liquid on lens substrates that have a fluorinated anti-fouling coating (low surface energy substrates), while also providing hydrophilicity (anti-fog properties).

With the recent tightening of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) regulations, particularly in Europe, there is an urgent need to transition to fluorine-free (PFAS-free) alternative materials.

The challenge

Common non-fluorinated surfactants fail to form a film on the fluorinated substrate:

• in Kobayashi's internal evaluations to date, common non-fluorinated surfactants have been repelled by the fluorinated substrate, failing to form a film;
• simply lowering the surface tension also compromises the anti-fog performance of the outermost layer.

Key requirements

Materials, or combinations thereof, that can achieve both uniform wetting/spreading (film formation) and outermost anti-fog functionality on fluorinated substrates (such as PTFE) without using fluorinated materials. Kobayashi is particularly interested in technologies such as the following:

1. Cationic resins: urethane or acrylic resins that possess cationic structures, allowing them to adhere and form a film through interaction with the fluorinated surface.
2. Non-fluorinated hybrid materials: materials that can drastically lower surface tension (e.g., to 23 mN/m or below) while maintaining hydrophilic anti-fog properties.
3. Multi-component or two-layer coatings: technologies that introduce an intermediate layer between the substrate and the anti-fog layer to gradually control interfacial energy.

Solutions that are out of scope

• materials containing PFAS;
• conventional standard hydrocarbon-based surfactants and silicone oligomers (Kobayashi's internal evaluation has already confirmed their insufficient wettability);
• processes that require strong chemical treatments or physical roughening that significantly impair the physical properties of the fluorinated substrate, as well as processes requiring specialized high-temperature treatments.

Development stage

• Technical concept proven at the laboratory level
• Mass production technology under consideration
• Currently sold as a product

Who should respond

Proposals are anticipated from entities such as the following, though Kobayashi is not limited to them:

• chemical manufacturers developing and producing charge-control resins or ultra-low surface tension materials;
• startups possessing non-fluorinated coating technologies for difficult-to-adhere substrates.

What Kobayashi offers

Kobayashi will offer promising proposers the following opportunities:

• continuous purchase/supply of products (materials);
• joint research or technology licensing.

Requested information for technology submission

1. Material/technology characteristics: please describe the overview of the proposed material or coating process.
2. Mechanism of action: please describe the mechanism that achieves both wetting/spreading on the fluorinated substrate and anti-fog properties.
3. Physical properties and composition information: please provide known physical properties and classifications such as surface tension, electric charge, and safety information. Please note any concerns such as eye irritation if applicable.
4. Track record: please note any track record of adoption in other applications or application to similar low surface energy substrates.
5. Development stage: technical concept proven at the laboratory level, mass production technology under consideration, currently sold as a product, other.
6. Patent rights: please indicate the status of patents held by the proposer or a third party.

Submission deadline

Dec 11, 2026