PFAS (Per and PolyfluoroAlkyl Substances) containing Water & Oil Repellent Chemicals are under state and federal environmental regulatory pressures to be reduced, and eventually eliminated, from the marketplace and the environment.

These mandates are driving the Textile and related industries (and well known clothing & outerwear Brands) to find safer chemical replacements for these very versatile PFAS containing chemicals.

Mr. Frank Keohan, (Technical Manager, Bolger & O’Hearn/ORCO) will be addressing this issue via his presentation “Textile Finishing Options Amid Tightening PFAS Restrictions” at the Advanced Textile EXPO’s Emerging Technologies Conference, September 23, 2024, in Anaheim, California.

Frank’s in-depth presentation will start with a primer on PFAS Chemistry and applications, and then detail the dynamic Federal and State regulatory landscape. The presentation will then continue with the performance and efficacy of PFAS containing chemicals used in the Textile Industry. Finally, Frank will detail the derivation and performance of available (and emerging) chemistries and products that can be used as replacements for PFAS containing chemicals.

• Is there a perfect replacement for PFAS containing chemical products? NO
• Are there safer alternative chemistries and products available (or emerging) for replacing many aspects of PFAS performance? YES

A Technical White Paper based on Frank’s presentation will be available the day after the presentation (available September 24).  If you can’t make it to Anaheim and want to receive this paper upon publication, please send us a note via the Contact Form on this page.