Inês Ferreira, Product Manager EMEA, Cleanova, considers the practical challenges raised by the growing clampdown on PFAS chemicals.
The list of chemicals discovered to have long-term environmental and health effects continues to grow.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, are under particular scrutiny, with concerns over their potential long-term health effects. Some PFAS – widely known as forever chemicals – have been linked to various cancers, immune system suppression, reproductive and developmental issues, increased cholesterol levels, and obesity.1
Regulatory authorities are already taking steps to ban or severely restrict the use of PFAS. In the European Union, a broad restriction on the use of thousands of PFAS is under review by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA).
ECHA updated the background documentation in 2025 to include stakeholder input and expand the sectors considered.2 Meanwhile, cases of PFAS contamination in drinking water have prompted local authorities to issue advisories or restrictions. In the U.S., federal enforceable limits exist for certain PFAS in drinking water, subject to recent updates by the Trump administration.3
Withdrawal symptoms
The challenge, whenever a substance is restricted or banned, is to find a practical alternative without any of the negative impacts of its predecessor.
PFAS-based materials offer a unique combination of properties that are extremely difficult to replicate with non-fluorinated alternatives. These include excellent chemical resistance, thermal stability and durability. PFAS also have low surface energy, giving them unique hydrophobic and oleophobic properties.
In addition to impacting traditional industries, the banning of PFAS could affect the pace of global decarbonisation. Applications such as electrolysers for hydrogen production, lithium battery manufacturing, and semiconductor fabrication may currently rely on PFAS-based materials for specific technical properties. Currently, validated large-scale non-fluorinated alternatives for some of these applications are limited.
Recognising these challenges, the ECHA’s updated PFAS restriction proposal considers potential time-limited derogations or controlled-use exemptions for sectors where alternatives are not yet technically or economically feasible. These derogations are still under review, and final decisions are expected only after 2026.
Focus on filtration
In the filtration industry, PFAS are commonly used in the production of certain types of filter media, such as coalescing media, membrane materials, coatings, and seals. They play a critical role in applications that involve aggressive chemicals, extreme pH levels, or high operating temperatures. In such conditions, many non-PFAS conventional polymers would degrade or fail.
For example, PFAS-based treatments help filtration media maintain efficiency under demanding chemical and/or thermal conditions. They also help repel water and oil and improve resistance to fouling. Seals and gaskets benefit from the use of PFAS for compatibility with high temperatures, solvents and acids, and to prevent long-term leakage or material degradation.
While PFAS-free alternatives can provide some water repellency, replicating their oil-repellent performance is a significant challenge. Non-fluorinated materials generally cannot match the unique combination of chemical resistance, thermal stability, and long-term durability that PFAS provides, making the development of high-performance, PFAS-free filtration media a complex and resource-intensive task.
Sealing applications, such as O-rings, gaskets, elastomer seals, and technical textiles, are now explicitly mentioned in ECHA’s 2025 updated PFAS restriction proposal. These uses are under review, reflecting their technical importance in many industrial systems.
Filtering out PFAS
The PFAS supply chain is facing other significant challenges. Some filtration media suppliers, for example, are experiencing difficulties in sourcing PFAS chemicals due to limited availability, rising demand, and the emerging regulatory restrictions. There is also growing pressure from filtration customers with a strong interest in the transition to PFAS-free alternatives.
As a responsible filtration manufacturer that emphasises sustainable innovation, we were quick to recognise the importance of developing PFAS-free alternatives.
Our first milestone has been the introduction of PFAS-free media in our GP-198 gas coalescers, designed to remove liquids and solid particles from gas streams, with efficiencies up to 99.99% on 0.3µm aerosols. This innovation represents a tangible step towards developing high-performance filters with a lower environmental impact.
Making the transition
Our own journey has highlighted that the transition away from PFAS requires more than just a regulatory response. It is a shared responsibility that depends on participation and a shared strategic goal at several levels:
Strategic collaboration: Developing technically and commercially viable PFAS-free alternative materials requires significant investment in research, development, and scientific collaboration. No single industry can achieve this alone. Academic institutions, government-funded research programs, and regulatory parties all play a critical role in creating the conditions to drive the necessary innovation.
Supply chain alignment: A resilient supply network is fundamental to ensure consistent material quality and cost-effectiveness. We work with trusted partners who are equally committed to PFAS reduction, while ensuring consistent material quality, reliable performance, and cost-effective solutions.
Customer engagement: Transparent, two-way communication with end-users is central to the transition process, enabling customers to take an active role in driving change. We provide detailed information on PFAS content and available alternatives, enabling customers to align their operational strategies with emerging regulatory and environmental requirements.
Conclusion
PFAS have long been valued for their exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, and durability—properties that are difficult to replicate with non-fluorinated alternatives. However, their persistence in the environment and associated health risks make their elimination both urgent and unavoidable.
Transitioning away from PFAS is not simply a matter of regulatory compliance; it is a strategic, sustainability imperative that demands innovation, collaboration, and supply chain resilience.
References
EU’s Human Biomonitoring Initiative (HBM4EU): https://www.hbm4eu.eu/hbm4eu-substances/per-polyfluorinated-compounds/
https://echa.europa.eu/-/echa-publishes-updated-pfas-restriction-proposal
https://www.epa.gov/sdwa/and-polyfluoroalkyl-substances-pfas
