As the European Union debates a landmark, wide-ranging restriction on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a complex industrial transition is underway. The so-called 'forever chemicals' are embedded in thousands of products, from waterproof jackets to semiconductors, making the search for viable alternatives a monumental task. Researchers and companies across the continent are now racing to map a path to a PFAS-free future, with progress varying dramatically between sectors.
Mapping a Chemical Labyrinth
At Stockholm University, Professor Ian Cousins and his team, working under the EU-funded Horizon 2020 project ZeroPM, have identified 530 potential chemical substitutes. French researcher Romain Figuière, a project member, has mapped more than 300 distinct functions that PFAS provide across 18 major economic sectors. "PFAS applications reach far beyond the well-known examples of non-stick cookware and waterproof outdoor clothing," Figuière explains. "They are embedded in paints and coatings, metal processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, automotive components, mobile phones, semiconductors... They are really everywhere."
Creating a complete overview is proving laborious, partly because some molecular compositions remain closely guarded industrial secrets. Figuière advocates for an open, collaborative platform where companies and researchers could systematically record PFAS functions and emerging substitutes. A core challenge is ensuring safety. "A large part of our effort consists in verifying that proposed alternatives are genuinely safer, in order to avoid regrettable substitutions," Professor Cousins said. "Replacing PFAS with more biodegradable compounds that we don't know well could create new problems."
Corporate Momentum Meets Technical Hurdles
The shift is already gathering pace. The Swedish NGO ChemSec has launched an online marketplace listing over 200 commercially available PFAS alternatives for industrial use, such as fluorine-free water-repellents for textiles or PFAS-free back sheets for solar panels. Jonatan Kleimark, Director of Programmes at ChemSec, frames the transition as a major economic opportunity: "Europe’s chemical industry is highly innovative. The rest of the world will need these alternatives. Strong legislation is now essential to move the whole industry."
ChemSec, based in Gothenburg, supports several companies, including Ikea, H&M, and the Stockholm-based audio manufacturer Marshall, in reducing PFAS use. Marshall has succeeded in removing the chemicals from most applications, such as plastics around cables and batteries, after years of collaboration with Asian subcontractors. "They knew this was not just another product requirement for our customers. They felt that we cared about their drinking water and the health of their children," says sustainability manager Anna Forsgren.
However, Marshall still faces particularly challenging applications, especially in batteries and semiconductors. Forsgren notes a wait-and-see attitude in parts of the industry ahead of anticipated EU regulations. This regulatory pressure is intensifying, as seen in the ECHA's expanded PFAS ban proposal, which now covers military, medical, and industrial sectors.
The Regulatory Crucible and Essential Use Exemptions
With an estimated 10,000 different PFAS substances on the European market, the 'universal' restriction proposal—spearheaded by Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden—has met fierce industry opposition. Manufacturers warn of risks to competitiveness, jobs, and potential delays to the green and digital transitions. The forthcoming regulation is expected to include time-limited 'transitioning derogations' for essential uses where no technically or economically viable alternatives exist.
Researchers from Stockholm University have so far been unable to identify satisfactory substitutes for roughly 80 critical applications, notably in certain medical devices, digital components, and high-performance batteries. This technological bottleneck underscores the high stakes of the transition, which intersects with other strategic priorities like energy security, as highlighted when the EU Energy Chief warned of prolonged price hikes from Middle East conflict.
Despite the hurdles, Romain Figuière remains optimistic: "For some sectors, the transition will take longer, but I am convinced that a PFAS-free industry is possible." The journey will require sustained innovation, transparent collaboration, and carefully calibrated regulation to avoid simply shifting environmental burdens. As Europe navigates this complex chemical phase-out, its success or failure will have profound implications for public health, industrial strategy, and the continent's broader ambition to lead in green technology.
