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Arkema's position on PFAS

  1. PFAS: a global subject that concerns a very large number of industries and applications. The question of PFAS is global and extends far beyond the chemical sector as these substances are used by very many companies, in many sectors, for many applications. What is at stake is thousands of substances, each with different properties. They can be found in frying pans, textiles, packaging, carpets, soft furnishing, sportswear, etc.
     
  2. A steadily evolving field of scientific understanding. There is a tendency to want to look at past situations through today’s eyes, even tomorrow’s, even though scientific knowledge is constantly evolving. There is a lack of established benchmarks, and standards are in the process of being developed.
     
  3. A ministerial plan to assess the situation in France. It is in the context of this evolving scientific knowledge that the French government has adopted a ministerial action plan in 2023, including a ministerial order for a review of the situation which concerns around 5,000 sites in France.
     
  4. Pierre-Bénite site: use of a non-bio-accumulative PFAS surfactant, implementation of a filtration solution, and end of use by end 2024. As regards the Pierre-Bénite site, it is regularly mentioned by some media even though the only PFAS surfactant it uses (6:2 FTS) is not bio-accumulative and therefore does not have the ability to remain in the human body, and the site will stop using it by end 2024 and has implemented a filtration solution reducing its emissions by over 90%.
     
  5. The Pierre-Bénite site comply with regulations applicable to its industrial emissions and complies with all prefectorial orders regarding PFAS. Arkema places compliance at the heart of its operational priorities. Arkema makes every effort to comply with regulations regarding its industrial emissions, and the Pierre-Bénite site is inspected by the authorities on a very regular basis. the Pierre-Bénite site immediately implemented the requirements set out in the 4 prefectorial orders regarding PFAS, under the control of the DREAL Direction régionale de l'Environnement, de l'Aménagement et du Logement [Regional Environment, Planning and Housing Agencies]. Without waiting for regulations to evolve, the site had already taken measures to cease using PFAS surfactants in its production by end 2024. Arkema acts as a responsible manufacturer. The Group, in Pierre-Bénite as at all its facilities, places regulatory compliance at the heart of its operational priorities.
     
  6. Arkema, like many other manufacturers, contributes to the public consultation on the European restriction proposal: a long and complex process. Regarding to the European restriction, the proposal at this stage concerns 10,000 substances with different profiles. It is a long and complex process, particularly scientifically speaking, that should result in different regimes depending on the substances and applications. The Arkema Group, like many industrials, contributed to the recent public consultations, which included close to 6,000 contributions. Fluoropolymers produced without PFAS surfactants are not expected to fall within the scope of the restriction as they are deemed not to pose a risk to human health, have a favorable (eco)toxicological profile, and meet the OECD definition of polymers of low concern. They are strategic for industry and for European sovereignty, particularly in the fields of electric vehicle batteries, semiconductor chips, 5G, and water filtration.
     
  7. A scientific, evidence-based and iterative approach is crucial. Regarding PFAS, a scientific, evidence-based and iterative approach is crucial to conduct a proper assessment. Given the complexity of the matter, this kind of approach takes time.
     

  8. Dismissal of the proceeding for interim environmental measures. In the spring of 2023, a collective of around ten environmental associations and thirty-seven individuals filed a proceeding for interim environmental measures (“référé penal environnemental”) against the Pierre-Bénite site demanding various measures.
    In first instance, the judge rejected the request, upholding the arguments put forward by the Pierre-Bénite site. The appeal filed by the associations was ruled inadmissible by the Chamber of Instruction of the Lyon Court of Appeal. Throughout this process, Arkema has indeed consistently emphasized that the Pierre-Bénite site complies with applicable regulations.

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