Page 68 - Plastics News May 2024

PRODUCT NEWS

of global polymer consumption. FP
waste is primarily incinerated (83.5%),
with a small portion going to landfills
(13.1%) and only 3.4% being recycled.

Particularly, efforts have been focused
on reducing the use of fluorinated po-
lymerization aids (FPAs or surfactants)
to replace harmful substances like
PFOA. Companies such as Chemours
and Dyneon have developed alterna-
tives like Gen®ex and Adona®, re-
spectively, although trace amounts of
these FPAs have been detected in natu-
ral environments.
However, regulatory agencies are now
pushing for the adoption of more sus-
tainable technologies. Many manufac-
drocarbon polymer alternatives fall into tetrafluoroethylene (TFE), actively turers have embraced the challenge by
short. Moreover, the sustainability as- contribute to establishing a circular transitioning to non-FPA (NFPAs) pro-
pect of FPs cannot be overlooked. economy framework. Furthermore, the cesses, leading to significant innova-
implementation of rigorous risk as-
Recent advancements in FP manu- tions across the industry. This shift to-
facturing, including the integration of sessments and regulatory frameworks wards NFPA technology holds promise
non-fluorinated surfactants in aque- ensures the safe usage and disposal for more eco-friendly fluoropolymer
ous radical polymerization processes, of FPs, effectively aligning with global production while ensuring compliance
actively signify a significant shift to- sustainability goals. with stringent environmental stand-
ward more sustainable and versatile Lifecycle of FPs ards.
materials. These innovations not only
enhance the performance of FPs but In recent years, fluoropolymer manu- End of life
also broaden their potential applica- facturers have been addressing con- As the use of fluoropolymers (FPs)
tions across various sectors. cerns surrounding the environmental continues to grow, so does the need to
impact of their production processes.
Simultaneously, efforts in FP recy- While only about 9% of plastics are address their end-of-life management.
cling, exemplified by the depolymeriza- Studies have shown that FPs like PTFE
tion of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) recycled, the recycling rate for FPs exhibit remarkable stability in the envi-
is slightly higher, at less than 0.1%
The circular economy situation of FPs:
the lifecycle of FPs from feedstocks ex-
traction to end of life in EU. Reprinted
with permission from Ref. [134]. Copy-
right 2020 Conversio Market & Strate-
gy GmbH. Courtesy of Fluoropolymers
as Unique and Irreplaceable Materials:
Challenges and Future Trends in These
Specific Per or Poly-Fluoroalkyl Sub-
stances.

68 70 PL MA MAY 2024 PLASTICS NEWS 69
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MAY 2024Y 2024