As policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders continue to evaluate the management of fluoropolymers at end of life, one question is often raised: What happens when fluoropolymer-containing materials are sent to municipal solid waste incinerators?
A newly published study in the Journal of Fluorine Chemistry adds to a growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that thermal treatment of fluoropolymers under conditions representative of municipal solid waste incinerators1 does not result in the formation or release of quantifiable PFAS emissions2345. The findings provide important real-world insights for discussions regarding fluoropolymers, waste management, and PFAS regulation.
Understanding Fluoropolymers
Fluoropolymers are a distinct class of high-performance materials used in applications ranging from medical devices and renewable energy technologies to semiconductors, aerospace systems, and industrial equipment. Their unique properties, including exceptional thermal stability and chemical resistance, are derived from strong carbon-fluorine bonds. Fluoropolymers help improve the efficiency and durability of the product and processes in which they’re used. Their large molecular size, low solubility, and high stability have long been recognized by scientists and regulators as distinguishing characteristics.
What the Study Examined
The newly published research evaluated the fate of the fluoropolymer polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) during thermal treatment under conditions representative of municipal solid waste incineration systems. The study assessed destruction efficiency and monitored emissions to determine whether thermal treatment of PTFE would generate small-molecule PFAS.
The results demonstrated effective thermal breakdown (99.99962%) of PTFE and did not find evidence of the creation of quantifiable PFAS. The study measured 71 PFAS analytes in aqueous and gas samples, more than twice the number of prior PTFE incineration studies. Instead, fluorine from the fluoropolymer was primarily converted to inorganic fluorinated compounds that can be managed through existing air pollution control systems. In-line monitoring of hydrogen fluoride (HF) concentration achieved between 95.6 % and 97.4 % fluorine recovery during the experiments.
In other words, the results were clear:
- No PFAS compounds were detected in aqueous or gaseous samples above the lowest concentrations that can be reliably quantified and reported by the analytical methods used, including over 70 short-chain and long-chain PFAS.
- Researchers calculated an average PTFE destruction efficiency of 99.99962%.
- Fluorine recovery measurements indicated that PTFE was effectively mineralized and did not yield measurable PFAS byproducts.
These findings add to other studies2345 which demonstrate municipal waste incineration as a responsible management option for fluoropolymer-containing waste.
Why This Matters
The study helps address questions about whether incineration of fluoropolymers could lead to the formation of additional PFAS in air emissions. The evidence supports the conclusion that typical municipal solid waste incinerator operating conditions do not create meaningful quantities of PFAS from fluoropolymer feedstocks.
In Europe and North America, municipal waste combustors are engineered to operate under controlled conditions designed to achieve complete combustion and destruction of organic compounds. The new study shows that these systems can effectively manage fluoropolymer-containing waste without becoming a source of PFAS emissions.
This is particularly relevant because many fluoropolymer applications occur in complex products where separation and recycling are not technically feasible. In such cases, municipal waste combustion remains an important end-of-life management option.
The findings are also noteworthy because questions about PFAS formation during fluoropolymer incineration have been cited as a basis for regulatory restrictions on the manufacturing and use of fluoropolymers. This research contributes to the body of empirical evidence that fluoropolymers can be disposed of in typical municipal solid waste incinerators.
Supporting Science-Based Decision Making
The American Chemistry Council (ACC) and its Performance Fluoropolymer Partnership (PFP) have consistently advocated for regulatory approaches that distinguish between different PFAS chemistries and are grounded in scientific evidence. Fluoropolymers are essential materials that enable technologies critical to modern life, including advanced electronics, clean energy systems, medical applications, and industrial manufacturing.
As governments continue to evaluate policies affecting fluoropolymers, decisions should reflect the growing body of evidence regarding their environmental behavior across the product life cycle, including at end of life. This latest study contributes meaningful evidence showing that modern municipal waste combustion systems can effectively process fluoropolymer-containing waste without becoming a source of additional PFAS emissions.
Looking Ahead
Science continues to improve our understanding of fluoropolymers and their management throughout the value chain. For policymakers, regulators, and stakeholders seeking practical, science-based solutions, the study provides important evidence that, when evaluated under typical operating conditions, thermal treatment of fluoropolymers in municipal solid waste incinerators supports effective destruction without generating quantifiable PFAS emissions. As regulatory bodies around the world work to advance critical technologies and promote sustainable materials management, scientific evidence such as this study are critical to making informed, science-based decisions.
1 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2021.07.015
2 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.143403
3 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2019.03.191
4 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2026.144908
5 https://www.cewep.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/GKS-PFAS-campaign-at-full-scale-plant-Warnecke_Ragnar-final.pdf