Circular Solutions/Recycling > Others

Tackling the Issues of PFAS Replacement in the Fibre Industry

Saal B
Donnerstag, 12.09.2024, 11:50 - 12:15 Uhr

The need for PFAS replacement is disrupting the textile industry, with revised EU and US regulations on the horizon and growing evidence of exposure contributing to organ disease, cancer and reduced fertility. Intelligent fibre and fabric innovation can contribute to supporting PFAS replacement across the textile industry. This presentation will detail fibre manufacturer application development strategies for PFAS replacement, including case studies.

Sprecher
Ross Ward (NIRI)
The need for PFAS replacement is disrupting the textile industry, with revised EU and US regulations on the horizon and growing evidence of exposure contributing to organ disease, cancer and reduced fertility. PFAS additives and coatings are often applied to fibres and fabrics to introduce chemical and thermal stability and exceptional oil, alcohol and water repellency. Companies are now challenged to explore options to reduce or eliminate their dependency on PFAS while maintaining product performance. This is no small undertaking, as no single route to PFAS replacement exists. Potential solutions will likely incorporate PFAS-free additives or coatings, intelligent fibre designs, and textile constructions. This presentation will focus on strategies for intelligent fibre and fabric design, which can serve as a reference for manufacturers wishing to exploit application development approaches for PFAS replacement. NIRI is helping companies develop PFAS-free materials in the automotive, medical, filtration, construction and performance clothing sectors. Case studies and performance data will be provided where applicable to demonstrate the potential strategies.