---
title: "PFAS update: ITRE Committee study highlights strategic role of fluoropolymers"
description: A study published by the European Parliament’s ITRE Committee recognises fluoropolymers as key enablers of EU’s competitiveness. Its conclusions support a more differentiated approach to the PFAS regulation.
---

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# [PFAS update: ITRE Committee study highlights strategic role of fluoropolymers](https://www.europeansealing.com/news/pfas-update-itre-committee-study-highlights-strategic-role-of-fluoropolymers)

 Written by [ESA](https://www.europeansealing.com/news/author/esa) | Feb 26, 2026 3:30:00 AM

Interesting news has been received from the European Parliament’s ITRE (Industry, Research and Energy) Committee, which published an independent study in which **fluoropolymers are considered enablers of competitiveness.** The study highlights the critical role of fluoropolymers in Europe’s strategic industry.

**1. Role of fluoropolymers within PFAS**

The study concentrates on **six fluoropolymers**—**PTFE, PVDF, ETFE, FEP, PFA, and FKM/FFKM**—which together account for **around 93% of fluoropolymer use in Europe**. These materials fall under the OECD definition of PFAS and are therefore included in the proposed Universal PFAS (UPFAS) restriction under REACH.

Fluoropolymers are distinguished from many other PFAS by:

- Long molecular chain structure and weight and polymeric structure.
- Exceptional **thermal stability, chemical resistance, low friction, dielectric properties, and durability.**
- Use primarily in **industrial and strategic applications**, rather than consumer dispersive uses.
- Fluoropolymers are PFAS of low concern

**2. How fluoropolymers are treated in the PFAS restriction proposal**

** **The UPFAS restriction dossier, as assessed in the study, considers two regulatory options:

- **RO1**: A near-total ban with an 18-month transition period
- **RO2**: A ban with **use-specific, mostly time-limited derogations**

Under both options, **fluoropolymers are not automatically exempt**, despite being polymers and despite their distinct risk profile compared with low-molecular-weight PFAS (e.g., PFOA, PFOS).

The study highlights that fluoropolymers are regulated **as part of a broad PFAS group**, rather than via a differentiated, risk-based approach.

This creates a **high risk of unintended consequences** for critical industrial value chains.

**3. Substitution potential for fluoropolymers**

** **The **Analysis of Alternatives (AoA)** finds that:

- **Substitution is often technically infeasible** for fluoropolymers in critical applications.
- Where alternatives exist, they usually **fail to meet all required performance criteria**, particularly:
- High temperature resistance
- Chemical inertness
- Long service life and safety
- Ultra-low contamination

*Source: ITRE document, authors’ own elaboration.*

Sectoral findings:

- **Aerospace & defence: **fluoropolymers are used in seals, gaskets, wiring insulation, bearings, fuel systems, coatings, and engine components.
- **Semiconductors: **fluoropolymers are essential for ultra-high purity environments, chemical handling, tubing, seals, and contamination control.
- **Green energy & clean technologies: **used in lithium-ion batteries, hydrogen fuel cells (PEM membranes), solar panels, wind turbines, heat pumps.

Overall, the study concludes that **application-by-application assessment is necessary**, and blanket assumptions about substitutability are not supported by evidence.

**4. Socio-economic and competitiveness implications**

Because fluoropolymers are deeply embedded in strategic sectors, the study estimates very large impacts if they are restricted without adequate derogations.

**Economic impact**:

- First-year costs of **~€560 billion** under both RO1 and RO2
- Annual recurring costs of **~€70+ billion**

**Industrial impact**:

- At least **39,000 enterprises** and **~2.9 million jobs** potentially affected
- SMEs disproportionately exposed, particularly in clean technology supply chains

From a competitiveness perspective:

The EU could become one of the strictest jurisdictions globally on fluoropolymers.  
Other regions (US, Canada, Asia) often exempt polymers of low concern, creating risks of:

- Production relocation
- Supply chain dependency on non-EU manufacturers
- Weakened EU strategic autonomy

**5. Key conclusions on fluoropolymers in the PFAS restriction process**

The study’s central conclusions regarding fluoropolymers are:

- Fluoropolymers are **enablers of EU industrial competitiveness**, not marginal or easily replaceable substances.
- Treating fluoropolymers identically to all PFAS **does not reflect their distinct functionality, exposure pathways, or risk profile.**
- A blanket PFAS restriction risks undermining EU climate, digital, defence, and industrial policy objectives.

**6. Recommendations specific to fluoropolymers**

The study recommends a **more differentiated regulatory approach**, including **time-unlimited derogations** for fluoropolymers and F-gases.

With a stronger focus on:

- **Emission control**
- **End-of-life management**
- **Abatement and remediation technologies**

Creation of **innovation and investment funding** to support long-term development of alternatives, rather than forcing premature substitution.

**Final conclusion**

Although this report reviews only a limited number of sectors and does not fully address several important application areas—such as sealing applications and other strategic industrial sectors—its findings convey a significantly more positive message than what has previously been communicated during the restriction process at ECHA.

The members of the **European Sealing Association (ESA)** look forward to a balanced and well-founded political decision on the management of the PFAS restriction process, guided by a pragmatic and proportionate approach, based on the following considerations:

- Fluoropolymers differ fundamentally from other PFAS substances, as they are non-hazardous and safe in their intended applications.
- Due to their unique material characteristics, there are currently no technically or economically viable alternatives for many critical uses.
- Fluoropolymers are essential to maintaining the competitiveness, innovation capacity, and strategic resilience of European industry.

**Therefore, ESA, its members, and downstream users seek a specific exemption for fluoropolymers within the PFAS restriction framework.**

Sandy Van den Broeck,  
ESG Director, ESA

 

 

 

Source: Richards, R., White, R., Stenning R., 2025, The Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and their role as enablers in the competitiveness of European industry: Inception Report, publication for the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (ITRE), Policy Department for Transformation, Innovation and Health, European Parliament, Luxembourg.

This document is available at: [http://www.europarl.europa.eu/supporting-analyses](http://www.europarl.europa.eu/supporting-analyses).

[View full post](https://www.europeansealing.com/news/pfas-update-itre-committee-study-highlights-strategic-role-of-fluoropolymers)

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