As global control continues to strengthen, the PFAS market space will become increasingly smaller.

PFAS stands for per- and polyfluoroalkyl compounds, which refers to all substances under the category of fluorinated organic chemicals containing at least one perfluorocarbon atom. PFAS consists of thousands of substances, and subdivided products include perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorobenzoic acid (PFNA), perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHxS), PFHxA, C9-C14 PFCAs etc. There are many types of PFAS, and different products have different physical and chemical properties. In terms of form, PFAS can be divided into gas, liquid, solid high molecular weight polymer, etc.

PFAS is a man-made chemical. With its characteristics of high temperature resistance, chemical corrosion resistance, oil resistance, mud resistance, and water resistance, PFAS has been widely used in various daily necessities and industrial production, including leather products, packaging, pesticides, and semiconductor manufacturing. , metal plating, foam fire extinguishing agents, interior decoration, medical supplies, aerospace and other fields.

PFAS is widely used, but PFAS is a permanent chemical that cannot be decomposed in nature and has long-distance migration and bioaccumulation. It has a huge impact on the environment, biology, and human health. For example, PFAS can increase the risk of high cholesterol, kidney cancer, testicular cancer, pregnancy-induced hypertension and other diseases, reduce female fertility, and cause birth defects in babies.

As environmental protection requirements increase, PFAS will face increasingly stringent regulatory policies. Currently, many regions around the world, including the European Union, the United States, Japan, and China, continue to tighten controls on PFAS, and have introduced relevant policies to limit or replace the production and production of PFAS. application. Overall, the ban on PFAS will be an inevitable trend. Relevant companies should pay attention to the progress of domestic and foreign regulations in a timely manner and prepare PFAS alternatives in advance to avoid unnecessary economic losses.

According to the “China Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Compounds (PFAS) Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Forecast Report 2023-2028″ released by the Industrial Research Center” shows that due to stricter environmental protection supervision, the PFAS market space will become increasingly smaller. At present, the main PFAS manufacturers include 3M and DuPont of the United States. Among them, 3M of the United States is one of the largest PFAS manufacturers in the world. The company’s current annual net sales of PFAS are about US$1.3 billion.

As PFSA control becomes more and more stringent, 3M in the United States will face tens of billions of dollars in pollution litigation costs. Based on external environmental changes and market assessment, on December 20, 2022, 3M in the United States announced that it will withdraw from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl products. substances (PFAS), and strives to eliminate the use of PFAS in its product portfolio by the end of 2025.

Industry analysts said that there are many types of PFAS with a wide range of applications. However, PFAS is harmful to the human body and the environment, and global supervision is increasing. Strengthening, banning PFAS will be an inevitable trend in the future. PFAS has a wide range of application fields. With the strengthening of market control, the number of companies affected by its control will continue to increase. In order to respond to market changes and meet market demand, PFAS alternative materials are expected to usher in development opportunities.