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C6 Fluorotelomer Chemistry

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Shawn Swearingen
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C6 Fluorotelomer-based products are versatile chemistries with wetting and spreading features, as well as unique properties that repel water, oil and stains. These unique characteristics make fluorotelomers a critical component of first responder gear, medical garments, paints and coatings, upholstery, class B firefighting foam, among other uses that families and businesses across the world rely on.

The most common types of fluorotelomer based products are side chain fluorinated polymers and fluorosurfactants.

Side chain fluorinated polymers, also known as fluorinated polymers, are polymeric fluorotelomer-based products that consist of non-fluorinated carbon backbones with polyfluoroalkyl side chains. They are used to treat textiles, nonwovens and paper to provide water, soil, oil and stain resistance, among other applications.

Fluorosurfactants are non-polymeric fluorotelomer-based derivatives that are used in aqueous film forming foams (AFFF or fluorinated firefighting foams) and as coatings additives.

Medical Professional Wearing PPE

FAQs

Fluorotelomer-based products are versatile chemistries with wetting and spreading features, as well as unique properties that repel water, oil and stains. These unique characteristics make fluorotelomers a critical component of first responder gear, medical garments, paints and coatings, upholstery, and class B firefighting foam, among other uses that families and businesses across the world rely on.

All PFAS are not the same. Each individual chemistry has its own unique properties and uses, as well as environmental and health profiles. It’s neither scientifically accurate nor appropriate to group them all together as one.

To date, we have been pleased to work with policymakers and other stakeholders on a host of initiatives to address key issues while continuing to allow for the important uses and benefits of PFAS technologies. EPA and Congress have taken several significant steps toward advancing a comprehensive approach we support to addressing these chemistries.