The specific function of many products is often provided by so called active substances. These may include antimicrobial agents or growth factors in wound care products and implants, antioxidants and vitamins in cosmetic products and health supplements, or pesticides in agricultural products. The functionality of all these products relies on the release of an active substance, either to the product’s surface or into a liquid volume in contact with the product. For optimal effect, the active substances must be released at the right time, in the right amount, and to the right target area.

A common challenge is uncontrolled and rapid release of large amounts of active substances, which leads to shorter product lifespans and significant losses to the environment. Many substances are highly potent and require precise control over the released amounts to be both safe and effective. This is strictly regulated for biocides, pesticides, and other antimicrobial agents under various regulatory frameworks such as the Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR) ((EU) 528/2012), the Legislation on Plant Protection ((EC) 1107/2009), and the Medical Device Regulation (MDR) ((EU) 2017/745). By implementing technologies that achieve controlled release of these substances, we can 

• enable an improved resource efficiency
  • by extending the product’s lifespan
  • while maintaining its efficiency
• and minimize environmental emissions
• thus ensuring regulatory compliance.

Our Offer

RISE has extensive experience in the development, formulation, and modeling of systems for the controlled release of active substances. Release profiles can be designed to provide:

• Sustained (extended) release over periods ranging from days to years, or
• Triggered release, activated by external stimuli such as light, temperature, or changes in pH or salinity.

In many cases,encapsulating the active substances in delivery vehicles – such as biopolymer-based micro-/nanocapsules and microgels, liposomes, or mesoporous silica nanoparticles – is an efficient way to achieve these release characteristics. We can also incorporate these delivery vehicles as additives into subsequent processes for manufacturing product prototypes, such as fiber-based wound dressings or 3D-bioprinted implants. In the final prototype, the release rate is entirely governed by the delivery vehicles. Encapsulation can also be done directly within the material prototype, for example by producing melt-spun multicomponent fibres where one phase contains the active substance.

Modeling is a powerful tool for both predicting and tailoring the release profile. By extracting a limited set of key release parameters, the functional lifespan of a product can be easily adjusted using simple product design to meet specific performance requirements. 

We offer development and subsequent evaluation of materials with specific release properties. This evaluation can include both quantification of release profiles and assessment of efficiency in, for example, biological systems. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

The European Union is moving decisively toward restricting the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), with a broad proposal currently under review. While PFAS are not yet banned across the EU, the regulatory momentum is strong, and industries using fluorinated polymers should prepare for significant restrictions. 

Fluorinated polymers are used across a wide range of industries including automotive, electronics, semiconductor, piping systems, chemical processing, pharmaceutical, medical, aerospace, food processing, packaging, aerospace, architectural coatings, energy conversion and storage, textiles, and scientific instrumentation. PFAS substances, known for their persistence and potential health risks, are being phased out unless proven essential for specific applications.

This has significant implications for industries relying on fluorinated polymers, such as PTFE (Polytetrafluoroethylene, PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) , FEP (Fluorinated ethylene propylene)  PFA (Perfluoroalkoxy alkane), and Fluoroelastomers. These materials are valued for their chemical resistance, thermal stability, and durability—but they are also closely tied to PFAS chemistry.

The shift to PFAS-free alternatives presents both challenges and opportunities for industries relying on PFAS-containing polymers—such as in coatings, membranes, electronics, binders, etc.

How We Can Support You

We understand that navigating this transition can be complex. That’s why we offer support tailored to your needs:

• If a PFAS-free alternative already exists, a short market review may be enough to guide your substitution.
• If no direct replacement is available, we can help assess the feasibility of reformulation or explore research-based solutions.
• If your application is highly specialized, we can collaborate on a longer-term innovation project to develop new materials that meet your performance requirements without relying on PFAS.

Early preparation can help industries adapt more smoothly to upcoming regulations and reduce potential disruptions in their supply chains.