Greenpan Aluminum: Safe Or Not?

GreenPan is a brand of non-stick cookware that uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating. The coating is made in South Korea, while the cookware is assembled in China in a factory owned by GreenPan. The brand is widely available and sold both online and at brick-and-mortar retailers.

The packaging of GreenPan products advertises its patented non-stick coating to be completely toxin-free, with claims that it contains No PFOA, PFAS, lead or cadmium. However, the company has faced accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing, with a class-action lawsuit filed against them in 2019 alleging false advertising. The lawsuit contended that the Thermolon coating is not 100% toxin-free and contains dangerous substances such as silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate.

While the lawsuit was dismissed, concerns remain about the safety of GreenPan's Thermolon coating. The company has stopped releasing test reports, making it challenging to verify the absence of heavy metals or other toxins in their cookware.

Overall, while GreenPan's newest GP5 collection and some earlier ranges seem to be more sustainable than most other non-stick pans, the lack of transparency and independent testing for toxicity leaves questions about the safety of their products.

GreenPan's Thermolon coating is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in forming a coating layer on the surface of the pan

The Thermolon coating used in GreenPan products is made by a Sol-Gel process, which involves forming a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer is primarily made of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is derived from sand and has the same composition as glass. The process starts with sand-derived raw materials, which are turned into a solution and sprayed onto the pan without the use of glue or numerous PFAS additives. The liquid component of the solution is mainly water.

The Sol-Gel process is described as follows:

• The sol-gel coating composition is applied to bare metal, such as aluminium, using a conventional wet application technique like spraying.
• The coating is then cured in an oven at a relatively low temperature, typically below 500° C.
• The cured coating forms a durable inorganic polymer coating, which may be further provided with a PTFE coating.

The Thermolon coating is marketed as a safe and healthy alternative to traditional non-stick coatings, as it is free from PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium. However, there are concerns about the lack of transparency regarding the full composition of the coating, and some consumers have reported issues with the coating dissipating over time.

The coating is made from Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass (or sand)

Silicon dioxide, also known as silica, is a natural compound made of two of the earth's most abundant materials: silicon and oxygen. It is commonly found in nature as quartz and is the major constituent of sand.

Silicon dioxide is a common fundamental constituent of glass. In fact, it is a precursor to glass and silicon. When molten silicon dioxide is rapidly cooled, it does not crystallize but solidifies as glass.

The Thermolon coating on GreenPan products is made by a Sol-Gel process that results in a coating layer on the surface of the pan. This layer mainly comprises silicon dioxide, which is the same composition as glass or sand. There are some additional materials, such as pigments that give the pan colour.

Silicon dioxide is found naturally in water, plants, animals, and the earth. It is even found in the human body, though its function is not yet clear. It is thought to be an essential nutrient that our bodies require.

The fact that silicon dioxide is found in nature and naturally in many plants and water suggests it is safe. Research has shown that the silica we consume through our diets does not accumulate in our bodies but is flushed out by our kidneys.

However, it is important to note that inhaling fine particles of silicon dioxide can lead to lung problems. The progressive and often fatal lung disease silicosis can occur from chronic inhalation of silica dust.

The Thermolon coating is made in South Korea

The Thermolon coating is made by a highly industrial process. The Sol-Gel process is a wet chemical technique, which involves several steps, including hydrolysis and polycondensation, gelation, aging, drying, densification, and crystallization. The process is based on hydrolysis and polycondensation reactions. Metal alcoxides are versatile molecules used to obtain oxides, and they are also reactive toward nucleophilic reagents such as water.

GreenPan's factory is in China

The GreenPan factory is located in Jiangmen, China, where the company carefully controls the manufacturing process. The factory is currently 30% solar-powered and has an in-house wastewater treatment plant, with 30% of the factory's energy coming from solar panels on the roof. The company also ensures there is no child labour in the factory.

The GreenPan factory in China manufactures the cookware, while the Thermolon coating is made in South Korea. The company's office is in Belgium, where all products are designed.

GreenPan's coating is certified safe according to the USA Food & Drug Administration

Thermolon is safe to use as it does not contain any harmful chemicals or toxins. The coating is also free of PTFE, which is a PFAS. The coating is made from inorganic ingredients, meaning it is safe to use in contact with all foods. Thermolon can be safely heated to 450°C/850°F and will not emit toxic fumes when overheated.

The Thermolon coating has been tested by third-party labs and has been certified safe according to the standards set by the USA Food & Drug Administration, German LFGB, Swiss government, and KTR.

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