Global PFAS Supply Threatened

SUPPLY OF FLUOROELASTOMERS THREATENED

PFAS is a generic name for PerfluoroAlkyl and PolyfluoroAlkyl Substances and refers to substances with carbon-to-fluorine bonds, C-F3 and C-F2. All Fluoropolymers and Fluorocarbons, including FKM and FFKM, belong to the category of PFAS.

PFAS compounds are predominantly used in critical applications that require resistance to heat, chemicals, and environmental exposure. This is because the bond between the Fluorine and Carbon atoms is one of the strongest known chemical bonds, unmatched and largely unbreakable in the large families of polymers. PFAS-based materials are highly desirable for a number of industries and applications, including in the Semiconductor industry, Oil and Gas (both in upstream and downstream manufacturing), manufacturing of Lithium-ion Batteries, Smartphones, Medical technologies, and in the Aerospace industry.

While PFAS based Polymers help in sustaining a lot of difficult applications with great success, over the years, some PFAS chemicals have shown environmental and health drawbacks. Due to their extreme resistance to heat and chemicals, these compounds are extremely difficult to break down and hence have become known as ‘Forever Chemicals’ in the environment. Further, these chemicals have become known for their ability to infiltrate the ecological food chain by travelling through contaminated water and ending up in Human bodies, most likely causing many Human health issues such as Kidney damage, Cancers and Fertility problems.

While the use and manufacturing of PFAS is under heavy scrutiny by the European Union (“EU”), the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”), and possibly a few other agencies, the heartening news is that Fluoropolymers such as FKMs and FFKMs have been unequivocally shown to not pose the health risks associated with other PFAS subsets.

Presently, the PFAS substances known to cause the much discussed health risks are commonly used in fire retardants and firefighting foam, and laws to regulate these specific groups of PFAS are already being implemented. As of June 8, 2023, there are no regulations for regulating Fluoropolymers. However, it is also the case that the current proposals being discussed may restrict the chemicals used to manufacture Fluoropolymers, and this is something that is being closely monitored by the producers of Fluoropolymers.

3M TO EXIT PFAS MARKET BY 2025

3M, one of the world’s largest Fluorochemical producers, has announced a stage wise exit out of the PFAS manufacturing market by the last quarter 2025. 3M will cease producing all Fluoropolymers, Fluorinated fluids, and PFAS-based additives. Such products include polymers sold under the Dyneon brand, like PTFE, PVDF, and Fluoroelastomers.

Other large producers of PFAS-based materials like DuPont (Kalrez) or Chemours (Viton) are not taking the path of 3M, and aim to persevere through these tough, regulatory times. It is an undisputed fact that applications in any industry, be it Oil and Gas, Pharma, Semiconductor, or Aerospace, would be hard-pressed to function without the use of Fluoropolymers, which are often the only alternative.

In this regard, Mascot Systems Private Limited (“MSPL”) continues to support meeting the needs of Fluoropolymers for all industries, and is proud to be a part of the Socio-economical infrastructure dedicated to maintaining these High technology products in the markets for sustaining Human development and Economic growth.

If you have any questions or concerns about PFAS, the 3M discontinuation, or specific Kalrez compounds and material formulations, contact us at Mascot Systems Private Limited today.

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PFAS Supply Threatened