Chemours Encourages Participation in ECHA Consultation to Stop European Fluoroelastomer Ban

Hamburg,Germany: Chemours official recommends involvement in the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) consultation to protect the future of many industries, such as the semiconductor, chemical, and automotive. It is believed that there is still a chance to prevent the destruction of the entire industry and regional economies that would result from the proposed EU ban on Fluoroelastomer and other fluorinated polymers and chemicals. The proposed prohibition on all Per- and Poly-Fluoroalkyl compounds (PFAs) starting in 2025 had only one encouraging message they are being persistent in the environment.

Triquet, an official at Chemours, Stated that even the importation of microchips into the EU would no longer be conceivable because the proposed limits cover the fabrication, production, import, and usage of PFAs, including Fluoroelastomer in an article or as a raw material. Moreover, while a small number of items would be exempt for five or twelve years, even this kind of "delayed ban" would discourage numerous firms from investing in the EU. As per Chemours representative, Fluoropolymers or Fluoroelastomers are necessary for a great variety of industries and applications nowadays. He claimed that without the answers provided by the chemicals sector, no other industry, or at least not many, could continue to exist.

However, to operate securely and safeguard both people and the environment, chemical manufacturing requires Fluoroelastomer seals, gaskets, and many other goods, including linings and coatings. According to Triquet, who also referred to the EU aircraft sector, "who would want to travel in an airplane without fire-resistant cables?" He mentioned how recent semiconductor shortages have negatively impacted the EU automobile industry and many other businesses to further highlight the impending issue.

This demonstrates how important the Fluoroelastomer sector is to all other sectors, according to Triquet. Yet, there would be no European semiconductor industry without Fluoroelastomers. The Chemours representative referenced a third-party report that demonstrated the silicon industry would suffer a total economic loss of over €63 billion and the loss of 21,000 jobs if it could no longer operate in Europe. In order to prevent such severe effects from the proposed EU ban, stakeholders across the supply chain for Fluoroelastomers and Fluoropolymers are advised to participate in the ECHA consultation process actively. However, Triquet emphasized that "the political case [against the planned ban] will be much weaker if corporations do not commit time or resources now in contributing to the ECHA consultation."