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Understanding the Proposed ECHA PFAS

(Forever Chemicals) Plastics Restrictions

PFAS Restriction
Proposed PFAS Regulation

Proposed ECHA REACH Annex XVII Restriction of PFAS in Plastics

In early 2023, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposed a REACH Annex XVII restriction on per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). This proposal expands the definition of PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, to include over 10,000 chemicals, among them fluoropolymers such as PTFE, PVDF, ECTFE, PFA, and others. (MCG, 2025)

Fluoropolymers are used extensively across various industries, and the ECHA proposal's potential limitation of these materials will impact many applications. Boedeker Plastics is collaborating with our manufacturing partners to closely monitor the progress of the proposed legislation and its implications for our customers and the materials that contain fluoropolymers.

Until the new PFAS restrictions or bans are finalized and implemented, this page serves as a reference for customers currently using engineering thermoplastics containing PTFE or other fluoropolymers to prepare for the potential need to replace these materials.

Engineering Plastics Impacted by Impending PFAS Legislation

Several engineering plastic stock shapes manufactured by our partners use PTFE or other fluoropolymers as a base material or contain PTFE or fluoropolymer additives. Below are some stock shapes that may be affected. Please note that this list is not an official statement on these materials and is for reference only.

Acetal with PTFE or other fluoropolymer additives CIP® Composites with PTFE filler Delrin® AF, AF Blend, and DE588 POM-H with PTFE additives DuPont™ Vespel® CR-6100 Duratron® DF PI, DFU PI, TX PI Ertalyte® TX PET, Sustadur® PET TF
Fluoropolymers including PTFE, PVDF, ECTFE, ETFE Fluorosint® and Rulon® PTFE materials Ketron® TX PEEK, HPV PEEK PBT Grades with PTFE additives PEEK with PTFE additives Plavis® Grades with PTFE additives
PPS with PTFE additives Semitron® ESD 500HR PTFE Semitron® ESD HPV PEEK Tecaform® AD HPV13 Acetal Techtron® HPV PPS Torlon® PAI materials

Need PFAS Alternatives?

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PFAS Free Bearing Grade Plastic Alternatives

Two bearing-grade plastics we offer as part of our XtremeEPP PFAS-Free line include the following:

XtremeEPP 1949 Polyketone XtremeEPP™ 1949 Heat Stabilized Polyketone PFAS Free Offers up to 300F continuous use temperature with excellent chemical resistance, good impact strength, and friction/wear characteristics.
XtremeEPP Bearing Grade PPS XtremeEPP™ Bearing Grade PPS PFAS Free Offers up to 490F continuous use temperature, engineered for industrial applications demanding PFAS-free materials, reinforced with carbon fiber and graphite.

PFAS FAQ

Below is information for the frequent questions we have received on the ECHA proposal and how Boedeker Plastics can assist customers in finding alternatives to PFAS materials.

What is PFAS?

PFAS stands for per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances and refers to a large class of synthetic chemicals that contain at least one fully fluorinated methyl (CF3-) or methylene (-CF2-) carbon atom (without any attached H/Cl/Br/I).

Due to the powerful chemical bond between carbon and fluorine in PFAS chemicals, these substances resist degradation to an extreme degree. Their persistent characteristics and water solubility make PFAS difficult to contain and dispose of, resulting in high levels of PFAS in soil, surface, ground, and drinking water worldwide. PFAS are sometimes called "forever chemicals," as there is currently no efficient or cost-effective method for removing accumulated PFAS from the environment. Though not the case for all chemicals in this class, some PFAS have been shown to be toxic to human health and the environment.

The ECHA proposal from February 7, 2023, aims to restrict the manufacture and use of PFAS chemicals to slow pollution from these substances and prevent their further accumulation in the environment. A complete list of more than 10,000 substances subject to impending restriction is available on the ECHA website. (MCG, 2025)

PFAS chemicals possess unique material properties that have broad use in consumer products and engineering, enabling critical applications that drive technological advancements.

Fluoropolymers such as PTFE and PVDF are highly resistant to chemical corrosion and high heat, making them suitable for extremely demanding engineering applications involving aggressive chemicals and temperatures. PTFE, in particular, is widely used for its extremely low friction coefficient, making it an outstanding material for bearing and wear applications. (MCG, 2025) Practical applications of PFAS chemicals include:

  • High-performance coatings protect against corrosion and chemical degradation and provide slickness or wear resistance.
  • Processing Aids to improve resin flow properties and stability during plastics manufacturing.

Due to fluoropolymers' unique properties, no single plastic with a PFAS-free composition can replace every application. If you are looking to substitute a fluoropolymer material, such as PTFE, we recommend conducting a thorough analysis of your specific application's thermal, chemical, and mechanical requirements.

Additionally, it's important to note that changing the material of a part may often require adjustments to its design as well. At Boedeker Plastics, we offer a broad range of engineering plastic shapes, positioning us uniquely to assist in the transition to alternative material options. Beyond our extensive portfolio of hundreds of materials with diverse performance profiles, our technical services department can help with material selection, design considerations, and processing options.

Some stock shape plastic manufacturers are marketing PFAS-fee materials as products manufactured without using any PFAS. This shift is gaining momentum as regulatory pressures increase and public demand for safer, more environmentally friendly options grows. However, as an industry, we can't claim our materials to be PFAS free considering these" forever-chemicals" are everywhere and in everything, down to the smallest molecules. Therefore, the term "PFAS-free" simply means that no PFAS chemicals were intentionally added to the polymer matrix by the manufacturer, and no specific testing for their presence is typically done.

For more information about ECHA's proposal to restrict PFAS substances, please refer to the Q&A section on their website. (MCG, 2025)

Fluoropolymers are commonly used in various industrial and commercial products, and this proposal could significantly impact many existing applications by restricting their use. Boedeker Plastics is dedicated to supporting our customers during this transition. We will provide:

  • Transparency regarding products containing PFAS
  • Tools and documentation to help customers quickly identify whether a product contains PFAS
  • Ongoing monitoring of developments related to ECHA and REACH restrictions on PFAS
  • Consultation on material selection to assist customers in finding suitable alternative materials
  • Replacement materials that offer similar performance characteristics

We are here to help you navigate these changes.

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References:

MCG Mitsubishi Chemical Group (n.d.). Restricting PFAS in engineering plastics. www.Mcam.com. https://www.mcam.com/en/products/pfas-alternatives

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