Restricting PFAS in engineering plastics

PFAS stands for per- and fluoroalkyl substances and refers to a large class of synthetic chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any attached H/Cl/Br/I).

Due to the extremely strong chemical bond between carbon and fluorine in PFAS chemicals, these substances resist degradation to an extreme degree. Their persistent characteristics, combined with their water solubility, make PFAS difficult to contain and dispose of, resulting in high levels of PFAS in soil as well as in surface, ground, and drinking water around the world. PFAS are sometimes referred to as “eternity chemicals,” as there is currently no efficient or cost-effective method for removing accumulated PFAS from the environment. Though not the case for all chemicals in this class, some PFAS have shown to be toxic to human health as well as the environment.

The ECHA proposal from February 7, 2023 aims to restrict the manufacture and use of PFAS chemicals in order to slow pollution from these substances and prevent their further accumulation in the environment. A full list of the now more than 10,000 substances subject to impending restriction is available on the ECHA website.

PFAS chemicals possess unique material properties that have found broad use in both consumer products and engineering, enabling critical applications that drive technological advancements. 

Fluoropolymers such as PTFE and PVDF are highly resistant to chemical corrosion and high heat, making them suitable for extremely demanding engineering applications involving aggressive chemicals and temperatures. PTFE in particular is widely used for its extremely low coefficient of friction, which makes it an outstanding material for bearing and wear applications. 

A number of engineering plastic stock shapes manufactured by Mitsubishi Chemical Group - Advanced Materials Division use PTFE or PVDF as a base material or contain PTFE or PVDF additives. Based on the current ECHA proposal, we anticipate that the following stock shapes are affected: 

• Acetron^® AF Blend / Ertacetal^® H-TF POM-H
• Duratron^® PAI materials 
• Fluorosint^® PTFE materials 
• Duratron^® DF PI, Duratron^® DFU PI, and Duratron^® TX PI
• Ketron^® TX PEEK, Ketron^® HPV PEEK, and Ketron^® Sterra^™ HPV PEEK
• Semitron^® ESD 500HR PTFE
• Semitron^® ESD HPV PEEK
• Ertalyte^® TX PET
• Techtron^® HPV PPS

At this time, we are unable to conclusively state whether this list of affected products is complete. We will continue to monitor developments in the proposal closely to keep this list up-to-date.

Due to the unique property profile of fluoroplastics, there is no single polymer with a PFAS-free composition that might replace it in every application. If you are looking to replace a PTFE- or PVDF-containing material, we recommend starting with a detailed analysis of the thermal, chemical, and mechanical requirements of your application. Furthermore, it should be noted that replacing the material of a part often results in the need to change its design as well.

Because we offer the market's broadest range of engineering plastic shapes, Mitsubishi Chemical - Advanced Materials Division is in a unique position to help you navigate the transition away from fluoropolymers. Beyond our portfolio of hundreds of materials with a PFAS-free composition spanning diverse performance profiles, our technical services department is available to assist you with material selection, design considerations, and processing options. 

For more information about ECHA's proposal to restrict PFAS substances, please refer to the Q&A section on their website.