For production bakeware, PTFE (Teflon) is the standard coating choice for bread pans, flat trays, and general-purpose moulds. For higher-demand lines running 24/7, PFA offers a thicker, more abrasion-resistant film that extends the interval between recoats. Both are FDA food contact compliant and used across commercial bakeries worldwide.
AST coats and recoats bakeware from all major global manufacturers — including Mecatherm, American Pan, Kaak and Kempf — for industrial bakeries across Australia, New Zealand and South East Asia.
Why Bakeries Coat Their Equipment
Fluoropolymer coatings solve several production problems at once. The primary driver is release performance — a properly coated pan releases product cleanly without greasing, or with significantly reduced greasing. But the benefits go further than that.
- Consistent product release without oil sprays or manual greasing
- Easier and faster cleaning between production runs
- More consistent product shape and surface finish
- Reduced waste from stuck or damaged product
- Lower consumable costs from reduced greasing agents
- Extended equipment life — coating protects the substrate from corrosion
Bakeware Manufacturers We Work With
Production bakeware comes from a small number of specialist global manufacturers. AST has direct experience coating and recoating equipment from all the major suppliers, and understands the substrate materials, pan geometries, and coating specifications each manufacturer uses.
Mecatherm
French-manufactured production lines and bakeware used in high-output bread and roll plants worldwide. AST coats Mecatherm bread pan sets, tray systems, and ancillary bakeware for bakeries running Mecatherm lines across Australia and New Zealand.
American Pan
One of the world's largest bakeware manufacturers, known for their proprietary Durashield coating system. When American Pan bakeware reaches its recoat cycle, AST provides PTFE and PFA recoating as a direct alternative to Durashield, restoring full non-stick performance.
Kaak Group
Dutch baking line manufacturer supplying complete production systems to industrial bakeries globally. AST coats bakeware and equipment components from Kaak lines, including bread pans, trays, and conveyor-related items requiring non-stick surfaces.
Kempf
German bakeware specialist manufacturing high-quality bread pans, tray systems, and specialty moulds for industrial bakeries. AST provides both initial coating and recoating services for Kempf bakeware used in Australian and regional production facilities.
Regardless of manufacturer, AST applies the same Chemours-specified coating systems and processes to all bakeware. Whether it is a Mecatherm bread pan set, an American Pan strapped assembly, a Kaak tray system, or a Kempf specialty mould — the coating quality and warranty are identical.
PTFE vs PFA for Bakeware
Both PTFE and PFA are fluoropolymer coatings manufactured by Chemours. The choice between them depends on your production volume, budget, and how hard the equipment works. Here is how they compare specifically for bakeware applications.
PTFE (Teflon)
- Film build: 25–35µm typical
- Lower cost per unit to apply
- Excellent release properties
- Ideal for standard bread and roll pans
- Good choice for flat trays and sheet pans
- Suits bakeries with moderate production volumes
PFA
- Film build: 35–200µm typical
- Higher cost, longer recoat intervals
- Superior abrasion resistance
- Better suited to automated depanning lines
- Preferred for high-volume 24/7 operations
- Worth the investment where uptime is critical
For a detailed comparison of these two coating systems beyond bakeware, see our PTFE vs PFA coating guide.
Common Bakeware Items We Coat
AST coats the full range of production bakeware used in commercial and industrial bakeries across Australia and New Zealand.
We handle strapped pan sets as complete assemblies — no need to disassemble before sending them in. This saves time and avoids the risk of damaging strap welds during disassembly.
The Recoating Cycle
Most production bakeries recoat their bakeware every 2 to 5 years, depending on production volume, the type of product being baked, and cleaning practices. High-volume bread lines running multiple shifts tend to sit at the shorter end. Lower-volume specialty bakeries may get significantly longer from each coat.
Recoating is almost always more economical than replacing bakeware. The steel or aluminised steel substrate lasts for decades — it is only the coating that needs periodic renewal. A well-managed recoating program keeps your bakeware performing at its best while spreading the cost over the equipment's full service life.
This applies equally to Mecatherm, American Pan, Kaak, and Kempf bakeware — the substrate quality from all these manufacturers is designed for multiple recoat cycles over the equipment's lifetime.
Industrial Bakeries We Work With
AST provides bakeware coating and recoating services to some of Australia's and the region's largest industrial baking operations. Our bakery clients include:
Bread, baked goods and dairy across AU and NZ
Tip Top, Abbott's Village, and specialty lines
Global frozen bakery and food service supplier
World's largest baking company, AU operations
Flour milling and bakery production
Dairy and food processing equipment
Whether your operation runs Mecatherm production lines, American Pan bakeware, or equipment from Kaak, Kempf, or other manufacturers — AST has the experience, equipment, and coating range to handle the job. We understand the specific requirements of each bakeware type and apply the right coating system for your production environment.
What to Ask Your Coating Supplier
Not all coating suppliers are set up to handle production bakeware efficiently. When evaluating a supplier, these are the questions that matter.
- Turnaround time: How quickly can you turn around a batch of pan sets? Production schedules depend on it.
- Minimum quantities: Can you handle small batches cost-effectively, or only full truckloads?
- Strapped pan sets: Can you coat strapped pan assemblies without disassembly? This saves significant time and cost.
- Manufacturer experience: Have you coated Mecatherm, American Pan, Kaak, or Kempf bakeware before? Each has different substrate and geometry considerations.
- Warranty: What does your warranty cover, and for how long? Look for workmanship coverage, not just material defects.
- Logistics and freight: Do you arrange pickup and delivery, or does the bakery manage freight?
- Chemours licence: Are you a licensed applicator using genuine Chemours materials? This affects both quality and traceability.
Why AST for Bakeware Coating
AST is Australia's only Chemours-licensed industrial fluoropolymer applicator, and bakeware coating is one of our core specialisations. We coat production bakeware for the largest bakery operations in Australia and the region — from Goodman Fielder and George Weston Foods through to ARYZTA and Bimbo Bakeries.
Every bakeware coating job is backed by our lifetime workmanship warranty. If a coating fails due to a defect in our application, we recoat it. We use only genuine Chemours materials applied to the manufacturer's specification, with full batch traceability on every job.
Ready to Talk Bakeware Coating?
Whether you need a first-time coating for new Mecatherm or Kempf bakeware, a recoat on your American Pan fleet, or advice on the right system for your Kaak production line — AST can help. We handle everything from individual trays to full pan set fleets.