Impact of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) Regulations on the Chemical Industry
Devising Strategies to Mitigate Regulatory Implications and Offering PFAS Alternatives Enable Growth Opportunities
15-Feb-2024
Global
Market Research
Changing regulatory landscapes significantly impact the chemical industry’s evolution in technological advancement, product development, vertical integration, and consolidation activities.
In a recent Frost & Sullivan report titled The Impact of Regulations on the Chemical Industry (PE52), we found that one of the key areas of regulation is in PFAS. These regulations will likely bring significant developments to the chemical industry as the PFAS group of chemicals has been an indispensable component of products/materials.
This study assesses the status of PFAS regulations in several regions. It also highlights current/upcoming regulations imposed on some product segments. We focused on 8 product segments: coatings, industrial sealants, polymer processing aids, polymeric membranes, green hydrogen economy, battery materials, F-gases, and lubricants. The analysis explores coating formulations used in various end markets and details coatings used for barrier packaging applications for paper and board and coatings on textiles.
PFAS regulations will have varying impacts on each product segment. Thus, stakeholders’ approaches to tackling PFAS regulations will also differ. The report covers the notable PFAS alternatives that will gain momentum because of these regulations in various markets and discusses how companies are replacing PFAS-based alternatives or developing PFAS-free products.
The analysis classifies these segments into products that will directly impact human health and the environment against those that will have an indirect effect to understand the implications of PFAS. It also provides a view of segments where economically and commercially viable PFAS alternatives are available versus those without. In addition, we categorize the types of fluorochemicals and polymers used in various applications to understand their impact on human health and the environment.
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Transformative Mega Trends
Why: Changing regulatory landscapes are significantly impacting the chemical industry’s evolution in terms of technological advancement, product development, vertical integration, and consolidation activities.Evolving PFAS regulations are also likely to bring significant developments to the chemical industry as the PFAS group of chemicals has been an indispensable component of several products/materials in the chemical industry.
Frost Perspective: Europe and the United States have developed regulations, with other regions expected to follow. China closely monitors PFAS levels in air, water, and soil, and with PFAS concentration already beyond national and international permissible limits, stringent restrictions are likely.
While product development and technological advancement to eliminate PFAS in products and materials will be critical, these regulations will likely accelerate consolidation trends as companies seek to acquire alternative technologies/products to tackle upcoming regulations.
Competitive Intensity
Why: Upcoming PFAS bans compel chemical companies to stay ahead of the competition by phasing out banned products, developing alternatives, and acquiring new expertise. However, uncertainties associated with the current regulatory landscape exist. For instance, the European Union (EU) has classified thousands of fluorochemicals under a single ban. Stakeholders are lobbying to reconsider the proposal to consider the levels of impact that various fluorochemicals have on human and animal health and the environment.
Frost Perspective: Uncertainties on the final regulation implementation pose significant challenges for market participants. Companies proactively preparing for the ban at different levels will have a competitive edge.
While the ban presents a significant challenge for companies producing PFAS-based products, it also provides an opportunity to identify alternatives and sustain in the marketplace, the upcoming regulations will likely open pathways for companies with expertise in product lines that can position as alternatives for PFAS-based products.
Disruptive Technologies
Why: PFAS regulations drive technological advancements in several markets. Alternatives are available in some markets but not others. In markets where they are available, they are often not economically viable or functionally competitive or cannot be produced at scale yet. Thus, the focus is not just on identifying alternatives but also on developing ones on par with fluoro counterparts in terms of performance, cost, and scalability.
Frost Perspective: Stakeholders that adopt proactive and reactive product development strategies will have a competitive edge. Focusing on the technology/product development roadmap and investing in R&D and innovation are essential to dealing with the upcoming regulatory scenario.
Collaborations with value chain partners are crucial for successful product development and commercialization. In addition to formulators, raw material suppliers and product manufacturers are important in tackling the regulatory landscape.
Scope of Analysis
The study details the implication of PFAS regulations on the following 8 market segments.
Market Segment | Description |
---|---|
Coatings | • Paints and coatings used across many product segments. • Coatings in barrier packaging for paper and board applications (special focus). • Coatings for textile treatment (special focus). |
Polymer Processing Aids (PPAs) | • PPAs used during polymer film production. |
Green Hydrogen Economy | • Membrane electrode assembly (ionomer membrane, gas diffusion layer) used in PEM and AEM electrolyzers and fuel cells. • Functional components used in fuel cells, electrolyzers, storage vessels, and refueling stations. |
F-gas | • Used in heat pump, ventilation, and air-conditioning applications; foam-blowing agents. |
Sealants (Focus on Industrial Sealants) | • Sealing components such as valves, seals, joints, gaskets, expansion joints, and compression packaging solutions. |
Polymeric Membranes | • Water and wastewater treatment (WWWt) membranes. • Membranes used in green hydrogen electrolyzers and fuel cells. |
Battery Materials | • Coatings used in separators. • Salts and additives used in electrolytes. • Functional components (gaskets, seals, pipes, valves). |
Lubricants | • Including heat transfer fluids, coolants, and greases. |
Questions This Study Will Answer
- What are the proposed/ongoing regulations for PFAS across product segments in various regions?
- How can companies, industry groups, and regulatory bodies approach PFAS regulations to achieve minimal environmental impact without impacting the chemical industry's growth opportunities?
- What are stakeholders doing to tackle the challenges arising from these regulations?
- What are the key alternatives for PFAS across various product segments?
- What new opportunities/growth potential will these regulations present for various chemical market segments?
- What are the new products/chemicals/materials/technologies that will gain momentum as a result of PFAS restrictions?
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Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
Introduction
Scope of Analysis
Questions This Study Will Answer
PFAS Across Product Life Cycle
PFAS Family of Products
Overview of PFAS Family of Products
Overview of PFAS Family of Products: Fluoropolymers
Approaches to Eliminate PFAS from the Environment
Approaches to Eliminate PFAS from the Environment (continued)
PFAS Regulations in Europe
PFAS Regulations in the United States
PFAS Regulations in the United States (continued)
Possible Implications of PFAS Regulations on Chemicals and Materials
Possible Implications of PFAS Regulations on Chemicals and Materials (continued)
Implications of PFAS Regulations on Various Product Segments
Implications of PFAS Regulations on Various Product Segments (continued)
PFAS in Coatings
PFAS in Coatings (continued)
PFAS in Coatings (continued)
PFAS in Coatings (continued)
PFAS in Coatings (continued)
Barrier Packaging Coatings for Paper and Board
Barrier Packaging Coatings for Paper and Board (continued)
Barrier Packaging Coatings for Paper and Board (continued)
Barrier Packaging Coatings for Paper and Board (continued)
Alternatives to PFAS in Food Contact Barrier Packaging Applications
Case Study: Solenis
Companies to Watch in Coatings for Barrier Packaging
Textile Coatings
Textile Coatings (continued)
Summary: Potential PFAS Alternatives in Textile Coatings
Industrial Sealants
Polymer Processing Aids
Polymeric Membranes: WWWT
Polymeric Membranes: Green Hydrogen Economy
PFAS in Green Hydrogen Economy
PFAS in Green Hydrogen Economy (continued)
Battery Materials
Battery Materials (continued)
Battery Materials (continued)
Battery Materials (continued)
Battery Materials (continued)
Case Study: Nanoramic
F-gas impact
Lubricants
Lubricants (continued)
Growth Opportunity 1: Strong Potential for Silicones as PFAS Substitutes
Growth Opportunity 1: Strong Potential for Silicones as PFAS Substitutes (continued)
Growth Opportunity 1: Strong Potential for Silicones as PFAS Substitutes (continued)
Growth Opportunity 2: Creating a Circular Economy for PFAS
Growth Opportunity 2: Creating a Circular Economy for PFAS (continued)
Growth Opportunity 3: Alternate Technologies
Growth Opportunity 3: Alternate Technologies (continued)
Growth Opportunity 4: Bio-based/Renewable Materials
Growth Opportunity 4: Bio-based/Renewable Materials (continued)
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Key Features
Other important information include:
- The way for companies, industry groups, and regulatory bodies to approach PFAS regulations to achieve minimal impact on the environment without impacting the chemical industry’s growth opportunities
- Stakeholders’ actions in tackling challenges arising from these regulations
- Top PFAS alternatives across product segments
- New opportunities/potential these regulations present for chemical market segments
- New products/chemicals/materials/technologies that will gain momentum because of PFAS restrictions
Author: Soundarya Gowrishankar
Deliverable Type | Market Research |
---|---|
Author | Soundarya Gowrishankar |
Industries | Chemicals and Materials |
No Index | No |
Is Prebook | No |
Keyword 1 | Chemical Industry Regulations |
Keyword 2 | Regulatory Impact Forecast |
Keyword 3 | Chemical Industry Insights |
Podcast | No |
WIP Number | PF82-01-00-00-00 |