Arkema uses exclusively non-fluorinated surfactants in its global manufacture of PVDF
Arkema uses only non-fluorinated (non-PFAS), non-persistent surfactants in the manufacture of Kynar® PVDF polymers at all its production sites.
Thanks to substantial R&D investment, Arkema has developed an innovative, patented technology for producing PVDF in which non-fluorinated, non-persistent surfactants replace the fluorinated surfactants traditionally used to make these fluoropolymers. The performance of the new grades produced without fluorinated surfactants is equivalent to the performance of the traditional grades previously produced with PFAS surfactants.
Kynar® PVDF, produced with non-fluorinated surfactants, is approved for certain applications according to a list of international standards that are particularly demanding. These include but are not limited to:
- US Food contact
- EU Food contact
- ISO 10993 et USP: Biocompatibility
These polymers are highly strategic for industry and for durable and more sustainable products, particularly in the fields of electric vehicle batteries, semiconductor chips, 5G, and water filtration. They are designed for extreme inertness in harsh environments, flame and smoke resistance properties, weather resistance, and durability.
During the transition from traditional fluorinated surfactants to non-fluorinated surfactants, Arkema has often used the FSF® trademark to identify those grades produced without fluorinated surfactants. Now that the transition is 100% complete, the use of this trademark will be obsolete and will thus be discontinued.
Arkema thanks its customers from a wide range of diverse industries for their proactive cooperation in this lengthy and complex project.