Document eMQJxYaaKpxQ8aEYV2EV6Z2m

Meeting with stakeholders on PFAS restriction dossier Short report to be shared with PFAS restriction group and the relevant stakeholder Date: 16 March 2021 Place: Online (45 min) Reporting Member State: o NO Participants (names and organization): o Arkema (stakeholder): Nick Campbell, David Silagy, Sylvie Macaudiere, Severine Beauchet and Kevin Hanrahan o FleishmanHillard (stakeholder): Malik Duhaut and Rosanna Accettura o Member State, Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA): Audun Heggelund, Ingunn Correll Myhre, Reidunn Stokke and Angelika Baumbusch Role of stakeholder/company: o Industry. Arkema is major PVDF-manufacturer. Specific PFAS substance (if applicable): o Fluoropolymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). Specific subject (if applicable): o PVDF production without PFAS polymerizations aids. PVDF is also a fluoropolymer extensively used in oil and gas sector. Stakeholder invited to provide the information presented in call for evidence or public consultation? n/a. Report o Upon Arkema's request a meeting was arranged between Arkema, FleishmanHillard and the Norwegian Environment Agency in relation to the restriction proposal on PFAS which is currently in preparation. o After a round of presentations (see above), Arkema introduced the company and provided information in a presentation on the production of PVDF fluoropolymer without the use of PFAS-containing surfactants. o With basis in substantial research efforts Arkema has developed a method to manufacture PVDF with a fluorine-free polymerization aid, i.e. without the use of PFAS surfactants. The company is currently producing 80% of its PVDF with fluorine-free surfactants. o PVDF is used extensively in several applications, the major uses being as construction coating, in lithium ion batteries, and as additives in polymers as processing and recycling aids (e.g. in polyethylene and polypropylene at ppm levels). o Another application of PVDF is in oil and gas industry, and to some extent also probably mining industry. In the oil and gas sector PVDF is used in critical key applications due to its special properties, like chemical, thermal and mechanical stability. PVDF is used in pipelines, risers and flow lines at the ocean floor. PVDF is key material used in the Norwegian full-scale project on carbon capture and storage (CCS), "Langskip". o Arkema referred to a comprehensive description of PVDF applications on their website: https://www.extremematerials-arkema.com/en/ o During the meeting several technical questions were discussed. NEA explained the expected timelines for the restriction proposal. RoI is planned for first half of 2021, and submission of the restriction proposal is tentatively towards summer 2022. Scope for the restriction proposal will be developed jointly by the group of dossier submitters. o NEA underlined that the information presented by Arkema is important for the consultant (Wood, UK) who collects information on the application of PFAS in mining and oil and gas industry. Arkema was encouraged to provide tonnage data and other relevant information to the consultant in a scheduled meeting on 17 March. Arkema was also informed that there are systems for handling Confidential Business Information, if this is relevant.