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ing found with certain
textile surfaces after
being subjected to DWR
treatments. The addition
of silicon adds supple-
ness without losing the
stain and rain properties
of fluoro-technology.
(See Figure 3.)
Solvay Specialty
Polymers’ Fluorolink
PFPE is a product line
engineered to solve wa-
ter and stain repellency
on various substrates. In
apparel, Fluorolink 5032
and P56 offer a water-
based option or direct application of
this perfluoropolyether layer. Its unique
structure enables it to attach to synthetic
or protein-based textiles while preserv-
ing its fluorochemical performance.
Solvay emphatically states, that
the product line is not manufactured
with, do not contain and do not de-
grade to PFOA, PFOS or a C8 telomer-
like structure.
No less involved, the EPA has
worked closely with the companies in
using peer-review science to ensure
the new compounds do not repeat
history with a trove of unforeseen
consequences. In addition, the EPA
is proposing to apply the Significant
New Use Rule (SNUR) on the phased
out 2010/15 Stewardship Program
chemicals. Under the Toxic Substances
Control Act of 1976, SNUR would
pre-screen any of the phased out PFCs
for any possible new use and, after a
90-day review period, deliberate on
the extent of its usage.
There is no shortage of non-C8 flu-
orochemical products for the outdoor
industry to choose from post-EPA
Stewardship Program. Remarkably,
a salient aspect of the EPA’s Program
is how the elimination of PFOA, PFC
precursors and homologs were carried
out voluntarily. Eight major produc-
ers of these invasive, dangerous and
very robust fluorochemicals were able
to join the EPA in solving, if not ad-
dressing, one of the most dauntingly
ubiquitous environmental problems
ever faced: all done without the lever-
age of regulation.
There is no question some motiva-
tion lies within the “more than $1.2
trillion of global manufacturing output
relying upon fluorotechnology,”
as reported by the FluoroCouncil’s
Bowman in her January 2014 OECD
webinar. A quick and seamless transi-
tion to a predominately C6 economy
would forego any fiscal disruption of
this manufacturing sector. However,
some have questioned the efficacy of
C6 chemistry as sulfonates like PFOS,
with less than eight carbons, may
likely bio-accumulate.
Be it as it may, the process encour-
ages conversations on mitigating
global risk, non-fluoro-technologies
or nature-inspired engineering, to all
together avoid the overt cost to the
planet and its inhabitants.
Figure 3. Daikin’s UNIDYNE DWR PFC technology vs non-PFC technology; courtesy of Daikin
Industries, Ltd.
- Removes 99.9999% waterborne bacteria
- Removes 99.9% waterborne protozoa
- Filters 264 Gallons (1,000 liters)
- International award winning
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Spring 2015
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