Fluoroplastics in focus: Between environmental protection and industrial needs
23.02.2024
The debate about fluoroplastics and their environmental impact is reaching new heights. While environmentalists are calling for a ban on PFAS (perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds), industry associations are warning of the far-reaching consequences for numerous areas of application. A look at the arguments and challenges.
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) are a group of chemicals that are highly resistant due to their special molecular structure, in which fluorine atoms are bound to carbon chains. This property makes PFAS useful in many applications, but also leads to their persistence in the environment and concerns about their potential environmental and health damage.
PFAS are often referred to as "forever chemicals" because they can accumulate in the environment and in living organisms without degrading. Their use in a variety of products, from non-stick coatings to fire-fighting foams and waterproof textiles, has led to their widespread presence in the environment and in human bodies.
As a result of these concerns, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) has considered the possibility of a comprehensive ban on PFAS, which could include all 38 fluoroplastics, a subgroup of PFAS. Such a ban would be one of the most far-reaching in the history of chemicals regulation and would have a significant impact on many industries.
Industry associations such as PlasticsEurope, which represent the plastics industry, have expressed concerns about the potential impact of such a ban. "We support the protection of people and the environment and therefore also that everything possible is done to prevent harmful substances from being released into the environment," says Thorsten Kühmann, Managing Director of the Plastics and Rubber Machinery Association within the VDMA. "The substances used in machines are generally not hazardous to health, but are necessary for their functionality. The current PFAS regulation is a ban regulation that excludes all substances, whereas only truly hazardous substances should be excluded. This approach alone helps people and the economy alike!" Unlike many other PFASs that can accumulate in the environment and in the human body, fluoropolymers are not absorbed or accumulated in the same way due to their size and structure. This distinction is central to the debate on the proposed ban, as fluoropolymers are essential in a wide range of applications, from medical devices to renewable energy components.
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Fluoroplastics, known for their exceptional properties such as chemical and temperature resistance, play a central role in many sectors of modern industry. Their chemical resistance makes them ideal for applications in the chemical industry, where they are used as coatings and seals to protect equipment from corrosive substances. At the same time, their ability to withstand extreme temperatures allows them to be used in areas that require reliable performance under difficult thermal conditions, such as the aerospace industry. In addition, they have excellent dielectric properties, making them valuable insulators in electronics and electrical systems. Their smooth surface and low coefficient of friction also make them ideal for applications where minimal friction is required.
The debate surrounding the planned ban on PFAS, which includes fluoroplastics, is particularly relevant in this context. While environmentalists are calling for a ban due to the environmentally harmful and unhealthy properties of many PFAS, the industry is emphasising the unique advantages of fluoroplastics. "Without fluoroplastics, there would be no Green Deal," argue the Bavarian chemical associations, for example. At a round table on the Chamber of Industry and Commerce's PFAS ban proposal, the Bavarian chemical associations argued that the enshrined climate targets would not be achievable without the use of fluoropolymers in sustainable technologies.
A ban could also have far-reaching effects on numerous branches of industry, including those that are of central importance for the implementation of the European Green Deal. In this area of tension between environmental protection and industrial requirements, the search for a balanced approach that takes into account both environmental protection and the needs of industry becomes a key challenge.
The search for alternatives to PFAS and future research in this area is focussed on developing new materials that are both environmentally friendly and efficient.
One example of such a project is the EU ZeroF project, which is led by the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC and aims to develop PFAS-free packaging and textiles. The aim of the project is to create functional substitutes for PFAS, particularly in areas such as food packaging and technical textiles. The challenge is to develop coatings that are water-repellent but at the same time can be applied as a water-based solution, which is a requirement of the textile industry. ORMOCER® coatings, a class of hybrid materials, are being used in the ZeroF project to provide a variety of customisation options for this complex task.
In addition, efforts are underway to find alternatives for PFAS in paper food packaging. These alternatives are intended to replace the high water and grease resistance properties of PFAS while minimising the health risks to humans. Large companies such as Amazon and McDonald's have already started to remove PFAS from their food packaging, and various studies and assessments are identifying safer alternatives for use in food packaging.
The debate around fluoroplastics and the planned PFAS ban shows the complexity of the challenges facing our society. While protecting the environment is of paramount importance, the needs of industry and the importance of these materials for numerous applications must be taken into account. A balanced approach that encourages innovation while taking environmental considerations into account could be the key to resolving this conflict.