Document zdpOZkNjyyQmK0NxKRL3ONRda
EU PFAS Draft Proposal
BCR Ad-Hoc PFAS Meeting 28/03/2023
Key Headlines: 1) Significant social impact due to loss of essential and safety related products in
aerospace, defense, industrial, electronics, and transportation 2) Jobs will be lost in Belgium 3) Great economic impact to industries and companies in Belgium and broader EEA 4) Ask: Take action and support exemption and extended derogations
Significant social impact due to loss of essential and safety related products in aerospace, defense, industrial, electronics, and transportation
Segment
Industrial
Aerospace
Electronics
Transportation
Examples of Companies Applications and Impact Across Belgian Industry
MM = Millions
Chemical plants
Used in: Chemical processing Oil & Gas Alternate energy
Benefits: Reliability Efficiency Safety
Societal: Shut down most of the chemical plant as sealing most of the raw chemicals do require fluoropolymer. (Even the manufacturing of the non PFAS elastomer requires fluoropolymer seals). Water treatment may be jeopardized with no access to Chlorine dioxide. 3.4MM direct + 10.2MM indirect employee / 594 b turnover
Engine manuf, airlines
Used in: Jet engines Airplane parts Military & Defense
Benefits: Light weighting Friction resistance Temp. resistance
Societal: This will prevent commercial, military, emergency rescue planes and helicopters to fly. 0.5 MM employee direct / 130 b for aerospace Air transport 4.7-5.5 MM employee direct + indirect / 110b for Air transport
Semicon fabs, OEMs
Used in: Semiconductors 5G Networks
Benefits: Plasma resistance Heat resistance Cleanliness Reliable and
durable sealing
Societal: This will ban the implementation of chip manufacturing in EU All cell phones contain fluoropolymer. Cell phone ban More than 43 billion of policy-driven investment will support the European Chips Act until 2030
Automotive and component manuf
Used in: Cars, Trucks,
Tractors/Heavy Equip. Marine Railways
Benefits: Light weighting Friction resistance
Societal: Fluoropolymer are used in all vehicles including EV. This will prevent cars, buses, trucks, railways to operate (13 MM employee EU manufacturing, services and construction)
There is no alternative chemistry that achieves the same level of performance as fluoropolymers.
Examples: Kalrez and Vespel are Used in Mission Critical Applications
Belgian Industries That Rely on Fluoropolymers
Industries that use perfluoroelastomers
(Kalrez) and/or polyimides (Vespel). Impact ~73% of Total
Source: Belgium's Economy in a Nutshell - Economic Outlook of May 2022 | FPS Economy (fgov.be)
The Impact to Belgium Will be High: Jobs
DuPont Manufacturing Site in Mechelen, Belgium
Producing highly mission- critical Vespel parts and member of community for more than 35 years in Mechelen with 60+ employees
Impact if Site Shutdowns: Producing 20+ million parts to leading industrial companies in EEA Serving more than 20 countries in EEA and 10+ countries outside EEA Serving 200+ customers in aerospace, transportation, electronics and
industrial. Includes 11 sold-to companies in Belgium Loss of 60+ DuPont jobs in Belgium plus indirect impact
Antoon Spinoystraat 6, 2800 Mechelen, Belgium
DuPont Mechelen Site One Example of Belgium Manufacturing Jobs to be Lost as a Result of ECHA Proposal
Summary of Impact and Requested Actions
Summary of Impact: There is no alternative chemistry that achieves the same level of performance as
fluoropolymers. Expected to impact ~73% of Belgium industries Job losses in Belgium and EEA Requested Action: Fluoropolymers, which include fluoroplastics and fluoroelastomers (considered as
Polymeric PFAS), are used in mission critical applications and should be exempt from the restriction with reporting on emissions and a life cycle assessment annually.
At DuPont, we have systems, processes and protocols in place ensuring that PFAS is used safely, controlled to the highest standards and minimized. Additionally, where PFAS is used, we are actively working with our customers and academia to pursue alternatives where feasible.