Orla McCoy

Global Water Intelligence

Collaborators
Tags
Policy and RegulationPFAS

PFAS action points – UPM Community Event roundup

A recap of the action points for the microelectronics supply chain raised by industry experts at the UPM Community Event on PFAS.

Webinar & event hub
Share this insight

On January 20, 2022, UPM launched its first Community event, hosting a panel of experts to discuss upcoming regulations related to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). The panel raised several calls to action for the industry to come together and meet the challenges presented by the potential regulations. Below is a roundup of the main action points proposed. Access is available to the event recording and presentation slides and the list of speakers.

1. Develop a good understanding of all PFAS use applications The entire microelectronics supply chain uses PFAS-containing materials. The industry should define the essentiality and availability of substitutions for all PFAS applications, and define the properties and lifecycle of each material. Developing an understanding of these aspects will enable the industry to better prioritize resources, research, and public advocacy efforts to overcome potential challenges presented by new regulations. Defining the properties and lifecycle of PFAS-containing materials is important for informing regulators – especially in the EU where proposed regulations seek to ban the manufacture of all 4,700 varieties of PFAS. Typically, shorter-chain PFAS are highly reactive and mobile. However, longer-chain PFAS, particularly the fluoropolymers used in materials of construction within fabs, are stable, insoluble, and inert. Fluropolymers are used in construction materials precisely because they take thousands of years to degrade, have a high quality of purity and have minimal potential for leaching into fluids.
2. Reduce PFAS usage and emissions where possible After defining the essentiality of each use, PFAS usage at facilities should be reduced where possible. Investigation into the possibility of substituting PFAS with less hazardous chemicals is important. Although there are currently no viable fluoropolymer alternatives for many components with stringent high-purity requirements, companies have established simple reduction strategies, such as changing pipe insulation materials. The industry should also build robust monitoring strategies to determine actual PFAS usage, which will contribute to developing procedures which reduce hazards and environmental emissions, as well as prepare for reporting requirements anticipated in upcoming regulations. 
3. Research opportunities to recycle and repurpose PFAS-containing materials The durability of fluoropolymers is a characteristic which is useful and can be used to increase industry sustainability. Instead of incinerating or disposing of fluoropolymers-based materials in landfills, parts can be repurposed or recycled. Repurposing fluoropolymers-based materials is a viable option. Companies commonly decontaminate articles used in chemical processing such as valves for resale and use in new applications. Scrap parts from equipment can also be reconstructed into new components. Recycling fluoropolymers back to previous lifecycle stages is not currently widespread due to challenges associated with technical and commercial viability, but opportunities exist to expand the practice. Demonstrated hydrolysis technology shows it is possible to convert fully fluorinated polymers back into monomers. Alternatively, pyrolysis can convert fluoropolymers back into inorganic fluorine.

4. Become involved in industry associations Multiple working groups are advocating for regulations to consider the essentiality of PFAS use in semiconductor manufacturing, as well as the widely ranging characteristics of distinct types of PFAS. In the US, key industry groups working on this issue include the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), Performance Fluoropolymer (PFP) and SEMI. In Europe, the European Semiconductor Industry Association (ESIA), Fluoropolymer Product Group and Plastics Europe are a few examples of consortia undertaking this work. Do you have a perspective on PFAS regulations or remediation? If so, please post a insight post to share your knowledge with the UPM community.

Share this insight

Related insights


January 2024
News-in-Brief: January 2024
January 2024
Who gave the best presentations in UPM 2022?

Orla McCoy

Global Water Intelligence

September 2023
News-in-brief: August-September 2023

Orla McCoy

Global Water Intelligence

Related resources


Conference material | 2022
PFAS Treatment Management and Design Best Practices
Conference material | 2020
Options to manage PFAS compounds in wastewater: A Reverse Osmosis (RO)/Membrance perspective
Conference material | 2022
Membrane Distillation: A Solution to PFAS Removal and Energy Optimization
Conference material | 2023
PFAS Analysis in UPW and Process Water
Back to insights