To help everyone involved understand the safer options out there, we’re doing a deep dive into available PFAS alternatives.
The restriction proposal for PFAS substances spans a wide variety of different uses, sectors and applications. Because of the wide-reaching restriction, it is difficult to get an overview of available safer alternatives, which is needed in order to decide if a derogation is necessary for some specific use.
In the webinar series Beyond PFAS: The Safer Alternatives, we’ll get to the bottom line of where safer alternatives can be found, how they work and how they can replace PFAS. The webinars will feature alternative providers and other important stakeholders and help raise awareness about available safer alternatives and how they stack up against using PFAS. Each webinar will focus on a specific PFAS application such as technical textiles, F-gases, and solar panels.
We’ll also document all this info and make it easy to access throughout the restriction process. With this project, we want to give decision-makers the information they need to make potential derogations relevant (both in terms of scope and timing). We also want to showcase to companies actively looking to move away from PFAS all the safer alternatives that are available.
Frying pans
Frying pans with non-stick coatings have long been the poster child for PFAS concerns. Although the issue seemed resolved, the use of PFAS in frying pans is now back in the spotlight. But there’s no need to keep debating it — safer alternatives have been widely available for years.
In this webinar, you can expect to learn:
- To what extent PFAS-free frying pans are available on the market
- How these safer alternatives perform from a technical perspective
- What frying pan retailers and customers think about it
Speakers:
- Chris Phillips, Senior Consultant, Engineering / R&D at The Cookware Company
- Ralph Wilken, Head of Division Surface Technologies at Fraunhofer IFAM
- Louisa Raith, Team Manager, Responsibility & Quality at COOP Denmark
- Dr. Jonatan Kleimark, Head of Corporate Sustainability at ChemSec
Technical textiles
The textile industry — or more specifically the TULAC (Textiles, Upholstery, Leather, Apparel, Carpets) sector — is one of the biggest emitters of PFAS in Europe, which makes a strong case for finding safer alternatives to use instead.
One of the more debated applications for PFAS-free solutions has been technical textiles such as personal protection for firefighters and other textiles where functionality is key. But today, there are several safer alternatives available on the market.
In this webinar, you can expect to learn:
- Why PFAS aren’t needed in many technical-textile applications
- How to overcome substitution barriers for technical textiles
- Key lessons from a case study on workwear
Speakers:
- Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO of Sympatex
- Louise Svensson, Technical Development Manager at Tranemo Textil
- Dr. Lisa Skedung, Researcher and Project Manager at Research Institutes of Sweden (RISE)
- Dr. Jonatan Kleimark, Senior Chemicals and Business Advisor at ChemSec
F-gases
Fluorinated gases — used in air conditioners, heat pumps, cars and so on — constitute over two-thirds of the global refrigerants market. But these F-gases are a major source of PFAS pollution, responsible for more than half of all PFAS emissions.
To be able to deal with the ongoing PFAS crisis, the use of F-gases needs to be reduced dramatically. Luckily, they can often be replaced with safer alternatives. Natural refrigerants are well-tested and have been around for a long time. They’re also, in many cases, both cheaper and more effective.
In this webinar, you can expect to learn:
- About the current availability of PFAS-free solutions for F-gas applications
- How safer alternatives are scalable and, in many cases, already employed
- Key lessons from sectors where the PFAS phase-out has been completed
Speakers:
- Marc Chasserot, CEO of ATMOsphere
- Fredrik Strengbohm, Technical Manager at Caverion
- Nathalie Cruchet, Head of ESG and Sustainability at Submer
- Sidsel Dyekjaer, Senior Policy Advisor at ChemSec
-
Featured news
Solar panels
Harnessing the sun’s energy will be one of the most important measures to save our planet — and solar panels have a key role to play.
But as we turn to solar power to combat the climate crisis, a troubling issue emerges. At the moment, the majority of solar panels contain toxic PFAS chemicals that worsen the chemical pollution crisis, threatening both ecosystems and human health. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
This month’s Beyond PFAS webinar will shine a light on the dark side of solar panels (sorry for the pun!) and explain how PFAS chemicals can be replaced with safer alternatives.
In this webinar, you can expect to learn:
- Why PFAS are being used in solar panels
- How to replace fluoropolymers with safer alternatives
- Key industry lessons from PFAS experts
Speakers:
- Imco Goudswaard, Commercial manager at Endurans Solar
- Huib van den Heuvel, Chief Commercial Officer at Solarge
- Dr. Jonatan Kleimark, Senior Chemicals and Business Advisor at ChemSec
