The rising demand for PFAS in tech industries is driving production expansion, prompting environmental concerns and regulatory scrutiny.
Demand from data centers, semiconductor manufacturers, and lithium-ion battery producers is prompting major chemical companies to boost their production of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often labeled as "forever chemicals" due to their environmental persistence.
According to a report by ChemSec, these substances are valued for their heat resistance, making them useful in cooling systems and manufacturing processes for chips and batteries. The research focused on the ten largest PFAS producers, highlighting their expansion plans across Europe, Asia, and North America.
In contrast, companies like BASF and Archroma are taking steps to reduce their reliance on PFAS. BASF aims to eliminate PFAS-containing products by 2028, barring some agricultural exceptions, while Archroma is working on alternatives to these substances.
Applications and Innovations
PFAS are being utilized in advanced cooling methods for data centers, such as two-phase immersion cooling systems. This method involves submerging servers in a dielectric fluid that vaporizes when heated, potentially leading to significant reductions in water and energy usage. Despite these advantages, ChemSec notes that most data centers still rely on traditional cooling systems without PFAS.
Recent investments by manufacturers are linked to the growing demands of digital infrastructure. For instance, Daikin is set to establish a new facility in Japan to produce perfluoroelastomer FFKM for chip manufacturing, aiming to increase its output significantly by 2027. Similarly, Arkema recently launched production of HFO 1233zd in Kentucky, targeting high-temperature applications in data centers.
Chemours is also advancing its product lineup with a new fluid, Opteon 2P50, designed for two-phase immersion cooling. The company claims it could lower cooling energy costs by up to 90%. However, ChemSec classifies it as a PFAS, a designation Chemours disputes, citing differing chemical characteristics.
Environmental Opposition and Legal Challenges
In response to these developments, 17 environmental organizations have urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reject Chemours' application for Opteon 2P50, expressing concern over potential environmental risks from widespread adoption of the fluid. Chemours maintains that the closed-loop system minimizes leakage risks.
Additionally, a lawsuit has been filed in France against Arkema and Daikin by local residents and environmental groups, seeking over €36 million in damages for alleged PFAS contamination in the Lyon region. Both companies have pledged to defend their practices while implementing measures to mitigate emissions.
"The expansion plans of these companies indicate that if governments and regulators do not demand a swift phase-out, we will face a new wave of forever chemicals," remarked ChemSec Executive Director Anne-Sophie Beckar.
ChemSec, a non-profit organization focused on advocating for the reduction of hazardous chemicals, has also distributed blood testing kits for PFAS to European manufacturers and is calling for transparency in reporting results. The ongoing debate over PFAS usage is intensified by warnings about potential water shortages in the UK due to planned data centers and a moratorium on new large data center constructions in New York until regulatory measures are established.
