In the mid-20th century, the industrial world hailed PFAS per and polyfluoroalkyl substances, as miracle compounds. Their unmatched resistance to water, oil, and heat transformed countless sectors, from food packaging and textiles to firefighting foams and electronics. But what once symbolized innovation is now at the center of global concern.
Over the decades, these “forever chemicals” have proven to be environmentally persistent and potentially harmful to human health. Linked to immune disorders, cancer, and reproductive issues, PFAS are now under intense scrutiny by regulators and researchers alike. The world is now faced with a challenge: how do we retain the performance benefits of PFAS while eliminating their toxic legacy?
Why Replace PFAS with Non-Fluorinated Alternatives
- Health and Environmental Risks: Traditional PFAS like PFOA and PFOS are highly persistent, bioaccumulative, and associated with serious health risks. Global regulations, including proposed EU-wide restrictions and phase‑outs by companies like 3M by the end of ‑2025, reflect heightened concern.
- Inadequacy of Short‑Chain PFAS: Some replacements like GenX (HFPO-DA), ADONA, or PFBS are shorter‑chain fluorinated compounds. While less bioaccumulative, they are still persistent in the environment and increasingly detected in water systems, raising concerns about their long-term safety.
- Non-fluorinated alternatives: Materials such as acrylic or dendrimer‑based repellents, sulfopolyester resins, thermoplastic polymers like PEEK, and fluorine‑free firefighting foams offer environmental advantages with reduced persistence and toxicity.
Leading Suppliers of PFAS‑Free Alternatives
Carccu (Finland / Global)
Carccu is a fourth-generation family-run company based in Sastamala (Karkku), Finland, with production and printing facilities focused on the export of PFAS-free paper packaging. The company specializes in compostable, grease-resistant barrier papers for foodservice and takeaway applications.
Certified under ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards, Carccu emphasizes sustainable practices, including the use of PEFC/FSC-certified wood sources and nearly 99% waste recovery in its manufacturing process. Their primary clientele includes quick-service restaurants, bakeries, florists, and retail packaging firms.
Carccu’s flagship product line, EcoBarrier®, consists of bio-based, uncoated grease barrier papers that are PFAS-free and suitable for direct food contact. These papers are compostable and printed using water-based inks compliant with Swiss food packaging regulations.
The company is capable of scaling production to meet small- and large-batch needs, offering customized print runs with water-based flexographic printing. Carccu’s production is oriented toward both local and global markets, making it a strong fit for medium-to-large companies looking for compliant and branded food packaging solutions.
Kemira (Finland / Global)
Headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, Kemira Oyj is a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, particularly pulp and paper. The company provides PFAS-free barrier technologies designed to enhance recyclability and support the shift toward circular packaging.
Their mission centers on sustainable innovation and regulatory alignment, serving a global customer base of packaging producers, converters, and major FMCG brands.
Kemira’s PFAS-free FennoGuard coatings are water-based dispersion barriers ideal for molded fiber and board used in food-contact applications. These coatings are biodegradable, repulpable, and customizable through an open-formula approach, making them suitable for integration into existing papermaking systems.
Kemira ensures compliance with EU REACH and global food-safety regulations. Their production capabilities scale from pilot to large industrial volumes, supported by extensive in-house R&D and involvement in EU innovation programs.
Impermea Materials (USA)
Impermea Materials, based in Massachusetts with facilities in Charlotte, NC, is an advanced materials company focused on delivering high-performance, PFAS-free and plastic-free coatings. Serving industries like textiles, packaging, and electronics, the company supports sustainable innovation with scalable and regulatory-compliant barrier technologies. Their mission is to reduce reliance on harmful chemistries through eco-safe coatings.
Impermea’s coating solutions, including BLOK‑TEX 1080, are engineered for superior water resistance, breathability, and wash durability – offering protection up to 100 cycles. Their PFAS-free paperboard barriers reduce coating weight while maintaining performance.
With global food-safety compliance, R&D capabilities, and both pilot- and full-scale production, Impermea serves companies ranging from startups to multinational brands. Their ability to customize chemistries for specific substrates makes them a strong partner in sustainable product development.
Actnano (USA)
Actnano, headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts, is a technology company specializing in fluorine-free, nano-scale conformal coatings for electronics.
Founded in 2012, the company supports innovation across automotive, industrial, and consumer sectors by offering safer alternatives to traditional PFAS-based protection. Their mission is to deliver robust environmental protection without compromising manufacturing efficiency or safety.
Actnano’s nanoGUARD coatings form ultra-thin waterproof and chemical-resistant barriers on electronics, including full PCB assemblies. These coatings eliminate masking needs and meet REACH and RoHS standards
Compatible with automated in-line manufacturing, nanoGUARD provides IPx8-level protection and is used by leading OEMs worldwide. With scalable production and custom R&D capabilities, Actnano is well-suited for high-performance applications where PFAS-free reliability is essential.
Clariant (Switzerland)
Clariant is a global specialty chemicals company headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland, with operations and production sites worldwide.
The company is recognized for its focus on innovation, sustainability, and functional additives for coatings, plastics, and consumer packaging. Their solutions serve industries such as automotive, printing, packaging, and construction.
Clariant’s Ceridust® 8170 M is a PTFE-free wax additive designed for high-performance coatings and printing inks. It offers scratch and abrasion resistance, improved surface properties, and excellent dispersibility without relying on fluorinated compounds.
The product is suitable for packaging, industrial coatings, and environmentally conscious formulations. Compliant with global safety standards, Clariant’s PFAS-free materials are supported by extensive R&D and global supply capability. Their portfolio addresses the needs of both mid-sized formulators and multinational manufacturers seeking regulatory-aligned, performance-driven solutions.
Formulation and Performance Considerations
The Performance vs. Persistence Trade-Off: The central challenge in replacing PFAS is that no single non-fluorinated material can fully replicate all of its properties, particularly the unique combination of oleophobicity, hydrophobicity, and thermal stability.
R&D teams must be prepared for performance gaps and adjust their expectations. The trade-off is often a reduction in one specific performance metric (e.g., durability or oil resistance) in exchange for significant gains in safety and biodegradability.
Regulatory Compliance: While non-fluorinated alternatives avoid current PFAS reporting and restriction frameworks, they still require rigorous safety and degradation testing. This is crucial to prevent “regrettable substitution,” where a new chemical with unknown or unforeseen risks is adopted.
Future Outlook and Research
The future of PFAS alternatives is focused on novel polymer designs, green chemistry, and biomimicry. Scientists are exploring materials inspired by nature, such as the lotus leaf effect, to replicate the hydrophobicity of PFAS without harmful persistence. Additional R&D into biodegradable, high-performance polymers could also redefine industry standards by 2030. Collaborative efforts between academia, regulatory agencies, and industry players are critical to accelerate the transition.
Conclusion
With global momentum toward PFAS regulation and voluntary withdrawal by manufacturers, industries are rapidly turning toward non-fluorinated materials to minimize long-term health and environmental risks.
Although no single replacement can replicate all PFAS properties across all sectors, a diverse range of alternatives is emerging. Materials like acrylic or dendrimer-based repellents in textiles, sulfopolyester resins in coatings, and high-performance thermoplastics like PEEK offer viable, safer performance for a wide range of use cases. Adoption may require redesign and formulation adjustments, but it provides a clear pathway for R&D teams seeking compliant, clean-label solutions.
For a complete list of suppliers and personalized sourcing consultations, contact us today to see how we can support your business needs.
