POPFREE stage two – promotion of PFAS-free alternatives

Aim and goal

POPFREE aims at contributing to the promotion of marketable PFAS free products by developing competitive alternatives with market pull and reduced environmental footprint.

Challenge

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are man-made chemicals that have been used for decades in a wide range of applications such as firefighting foams, textile impregnation, food packaging, ski wax, cosmetics and various coatings due to their versatile characteristics. However PFAS substances have a strong environmental impact as well as a negative influence on health, and increased levels of PFAS can now be detected in 144 municipal water sources in Sweden. Despite this, regulations are currently limited to perfluorooctane-based compounds, largely due to lack of competitive sustainable alternatives.

Solution

In this project, a transdisciplinary consortium will perform functional testing of fluorine-free alternatives. Information on their health and environmental impact, including diffuse emission, will be gathered and a life cycle perspective will be taken to identify the most promising alternatives. Communication channels, such as websites or social media, will be established to inform manufacturers and consumers and aid them in making educated choices.

Effect

By pushing the development of alternative solutions, this project will facilitate the implementation of new policies and regulations. New technical solutions will contribute to decreased environmental impact, competent buyers along the value chain, and competitive Swedish industrial partners.