What are PFAS?

Substances with a wide range of uses

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are chemical compounds with exceptional properties: high temperature resistance, impermeability and durability.

Thanks to their non-stick, water-repellent and heat-resistant properties, they are used in everyday products such as food packaging, textiles and firefighting foams, as well as in numerous industrial applications, including sealing solutions. They guarantee performance and durability in demanding environments.

They play an essential role in the safety and efficiency of industrial infrastructures. Today, innovations continue to be developed to optimise their use while reducing their impact on the environment.

Link between PFAS and PTFE

• PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of chemical compounds containing highly stable carbon-fluorine bonds.
• PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) is a fluoropolymer belonging to the PFAS category. It is used for its non-stick properties, resistance to high temperatures and chemical inertness (e.g. non-stick coatings, seals, industrial applications).

• PTFE is a solid, inert polymer with low solubility and high stability. As such, it represents no direct risk to human health or the environment. The concerns associated with PTFE relate mainly to certain manufacturing processes, which may require the use of perfluoroalkylated substances (PFAS) of greater concern, such as PFOA or PFOS. These compounds, if released into the environment, can accumulate in living organisms and cause undesirable health effects.