Chemours Plans to Continue Fluorine Investments Amid Proposed PFAS Ban

Chemours Co., the manufacturer of Teflon, plans to continue investing in fluoropolymers, a group of polymers within the class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), according to a Reuters news service report.

Chemours CEO Mark Newman said “fluorine chemistries are essential and we believe, based on our technology, can be made responsibly," Reuters reports.

Newman made the comments in a call to investors. The company reported its 2022 results on Feb. 9.

Teflon fluoropolymers are found in various consumer products, including nonstick cookwear and water or stain-repellant fabrics.

Newman made his comments shortly after the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) said it would consider a proposal to ban the use of PFAS in the European Union. ECHA published its proposed restriction of about 10,000 PFAS on its website on Feb. 7.

ECHA’s scientific committees will now start evaluating the proposal in terms of the risks to people and the environment, and the impacts on society.

Newman said the company intends to work with customers and industry to communicate to EU authorities that “this is a chemistry that Europe should embrace,” Reuters reports.