Greenpan's Aluminum Core: Safe Or Not?

GreenPan is a cookware brand that claims to be eco-friendly and non-toxic. The company uses a patented Thermolon™ ceramic non-stick coating that it advertises as completely toxin-free, healthy, and free of PFOA, PFAS, lead, and cadmium. However, GreenPan has faced scrutiny and lawsuits for these claims, with accusations of misrepresentation and greenwashing.

In 2012, the National Advertising Division criticised GreenPan's ad campaigns, after which the company changed the wording, which was still deemed misleading. A 2019 class-action lawsuit also alleged that GreenPan's Thermolon™ coating contains several toxins, including silane, aluminum oxide, tetraethoxysilane, methyltrimethoxysilane, and potassium titanate.

While the lawsuit was dismissed, likely due to a settlement, GreenPan's alleged misrepresentations remain a concern. The company also stopped releasing test reports in 2020, making it challenging to verify the safety of their products.

Despite the concerns, GreenPan's newer 3-ply and 5-ply pans, such as the GP5 range, are more durable and have longer-lasting non-stick coatings, making them a more sustainable option. The company also claims that its coating is made without PFAS, PFOA, lead, or cadmium and that it can withstand temperatures up to 850°F/450°C without releasing toxic fumes.

Overall, while GreenPan offers impressive performance and design, the lack of transparency and ongoing questions about the safety of their coatings make it challenging to recommend their products without reservations.

GreenPan's Thermolon coating is made by a Sol-Gel process

The Thermolon coating on GreenPan products is made by a Sol-Gel process. This process involves the transformation of a derivative of sand into a sprayable solution, which is then applied to the walls of the pan. The pan is then heated in an oven to harden the layer.

The Sol-Gel process is described as follows:

> The sol–gel process is a wet chemical technique also known as chemical solution deposition, and involves several steps, in the following chronological order: hydrolysis and polycondensation, gelation, aging, drying, densification, and crystallization.

The Thermolon coating is made up of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), which is the same composition as glass or sand. There are also pigments that give the coating its colour.

The Sol-Gel process results in an ultra-strong Thermolon ceramic non-stick coating. This coating is heat resistant up to high temperatures (as high as 450°C). It is also a great heat conductor, allowing you to cook at a lower heat setting and save energy.

The Thermolon coating is also environmentally friendly. The curing phase of production emits 60% less CO2 than the production of traditional non-stick PTFE pans.

The coating is made up of silica (sand) and other materials, such as pigments

The coating on GreenPan products is called Thermolon and is made by a Sol-Gel process. This process results in a coating layer on the surface of the pan, which is mainly comprised of Silicon Dioxide (SiO2), the same composition as glass or sand.

There are some additional materials in the coating, such as pigments that give the pan its colour. All the materials in Thermolon are safe for use in food contact coatings.

The Thermolon coating is made from a sprayable solution, which is applied to the pan without the need for glue or PFAS additives. The liquid part of the solution is mainly water. After being sprayed onto the pan, the coating is cured in an oven at a low temperature, using 60% less energy than conventional non-stick pans, and therefore emitting 60% fewer CO2 emissions.

The coating is free of PFAS, PFOA, lead, and cadmium, so you can cook without worry. It can withstand temperatures of up to 850°F/450°C, and has been certified by third-party testing labs as conforming to international food contact standards set by the US FDA and EU regulators.

The coating is applied to the pan's surface using a sprayable solution

Sol-Gel is a mixture of silica (sand) and other inorganic chemicals. It is a harder coating than PTFE and can withstand higher temperatures. However, most companies advise against heating ceramic-coated pans above 500 degrees Fahrenheit, as the ceramic coating could decompose.

The Sol-Gel coating process results in a pan with a slick, glossy surface. This is how ceramic-coated pans got their name, as the coating resembles ceramicware.

It is important to note that the slick surface on ceramic-coated pans will degrade over time, especially with regular exposure to high heat. The coating naturally releases every time the pan is heated, and once it has worn out, the pan will no longer be non-stick.

The coating is cured in an oven at a low temperature, reducing CO2 emissions by 60%

The Thermolon coating on GreenPan products is made using a Sol-Gel process. This involves applying a colloidal suspension of hydrolyzed metal alkoxide particles in an organic solvent to the pan's surface using a conventional wet application technique such as spraying. The coating is then cured in an oven at a temperature below 500° C. This process results in a durable inorganic polymer coating, which forms a complete barrier against the migration of the metal (or any other materials) into food.

The Sol-Gel process is an alternative to traditional non-stick coatings, which are made from plastics and chemicals that have been found to have negative environmental and health impacts. These coatings have been dubbed "forever chemicals" as they have been found in 99% of Americans and are present in unborn babies.

By contrast, the Thermolon coating starts with sand, making it the first plastic-free non-stick coating. It is also free from PFAS, PFOA, PTFE, lead, cadmium, and other toxic chemicals. The coating is cured at a low temperature, reducing CO2 emissions by 60%. This contributes to GreenPan's commitment to sustainable practices, which includes owning their factory and ensuring sustainable practices such as using a wastewater treatment plant and solar energy.

GreenPan's factory has its own wastewater treatment plant and generates 30% of its energy from solar panels

The company owns its factory and has a dedicated in-house testing lab, allowing it to control the quality and standards of its products. GreenPan's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility is further demonstrated by its use of a Thermolon™ coating, which is manufactured without the use of PFAS, PFOA, lead, or cadmium. The curing process for this coating creates 60% fewer CO2 emissions compared to conventional non-stick pans.

The company's dedication to sustainability and environmental responsibility is also reflected in its product packaging. GreenPan offers free standard shipping on orders over $125, and its shipping protection policy ensures that customers receive their orders safely and securely. The company also has a generous return policy, allowing customers to return unused products within 60 days of receiving them.

Overall, GreenPan's factory with its wastewater treatment plant and solar panels showcases the company's commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. The company's efforts to reduce its environmental impact, coupled with its dedication to product quality and customer satisfaction, make it a leader in the cookware industry.

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