EU industry committee warns against PFAS polymer restrictions

Brussels – A European Parliament (EP) commitee report has underscored the 'strategic importance’ of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) to European industry: arguing against broad restrictions on these materials in many key applications.

The recent study from the EP committee on industry, research and energy (ITRE) called for an independent third-party analysis on the role PFAS plays in European industrial competitiveness and possible consequences of a full or partial restriction.

In particular, the committee report focuses in on the importance of six key polymer types - fluoroelastomers, as well as PTFE, PVDF, ETFE, FEP, PFA - which are believed to constitute 93% of all fluoropolymers used within Europe.

These materials, it noted, are central to “markets of strategic relevance,” including aerospace, defence, green energy and clean technologies, and the semiconductor sector.

Among other topics, the study evaluated the feasibility of alternatives, and conducted a socio-economic analysis as well as the impacts of the potential blanket ban on PFAS on the international competitiveness of Europe.

The findings indicated that, while substitution may be possible in certain applications, many critical uses have “limited substitution potential” due to the complexity of supply chains and long development and testing cycles.

“PFAS such as PFOA, PFOS, PFHxS, and PFCAs are regulated under the Stockholm Convention on ‘persistent organic pollutants’, implemented by 190 signatories through national legislation,” the study noted.

Depending on derogations, a universal PFAS restriction in the EU and EEA “could become one of the strictest regimes which could be detrimental to the competitiveness of European industry due to the lack of alternatives in key sectors.”

Meanwhile, the socio-economic analysis estimated that a full ban could cost the EU economy €562.8 billion in the first year and result in recurring annual costs of €72.8 billion - impacting 39,000 enterprises, predominantly SMEs, and 2.9 million employees.

The report want on to recommend "time-unlimited derogations" for critical sectors, including aerospace, semiconductor, and defence industries.

For instance, the report noted the importance of PFAS in semiconductors, on which advanced digital, AI, and quantum technologies “depend entirely.”

It, therefore, proposed a “dedicated semiconductor chemical policy framework... and funding streams to enable adoption of “best available abatement technologies.”

Moreover, across all sectors, the report highlighted the need for stronger evidence on human health and environmental impacts and proposed an innovation and investment fund to support PFAS abatement and remediation technologies.

The report concluded that PFAS are “enablers” in the European industrial competitiveness, adding that “blanket restrictions” could jeopardise technological leadership.

The EU, it advised, should “prioritise and fund research on fluoropolymers... and support innovation in PFAS abatement and remediation.

“Commissioning studies on the six common fluoropolymers should be a high priority, as findings could justify exemptions under the UPFAS restriction if minimal risk is demonstrated,” the report concluded.