Fluoropolymers: A special class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) essential for our daily life

Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are valuable compounds which fall into two main families: i) the low molar-mass PFASs (including fluorinated telomers, perfluorocarboxylic acids, oligomers and surfactants) which are toxic, persistent, bioaccumulable, mobile and are under severe restricted (several products are already banned) and drastic regulations and ii) polymeric ones. Among the latter, polymers bearing fluorinated side moieties have also undergone such above issues. But, fluoropolymers (FPs) are niche specialty bio-inert and safe polymers, stable thermally, chemically and against UV and aging. They display outstanding properties, their molar masses being able to reach several million g.mol-1. They fulfill the Polymer of Low Concern criteria and are not prone to face such above hazardous issues. These (co)polymers can be used in many High Tech appli- cations (e.g., Energy, electronics, aerospace, automotive and biomedical industries). All these PFASs have recently been under heavy pressure from regulators, press and media. However, the main concerns linked to the industrial productions of FPs have been addressed showing that these high value added polymers must be separated from conventional PFASs and are irreplaceable materials.

Automated summary

Per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) can be divided into two families: low molar-mass PFASs, which are toxic and restricted, and polymeric ones. Fluoropolymers (FPs) are niche specialty bio-inert and safe polymers with outstanding properties, making them valuable and irreplaceable materials in many high tech applications. Despite the pressure faced by all PFASs, the concerns regarding industrial production of FPs have been addressed, highlighting their separation from conventional PFASs.