Open Access

Claus Lang-Koetz, Ulrich Hutschek, Marius Heil

• Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are organic compounds consisting of carbon chains in which the hydrogen atoms are completely or partially replaced by fluorine atoms. The strong chemical bonds between carbon and fluorine atoms in PFAS lead to very stable substances with particularly useful properties such as chemical inertness, water repellency, lubricity, non-stick properties, fire resistance and heat resistance. However, they are not readily biodegradable and are therefore difficult to break down in the environment (Ye et al. 2015). PFAS are used in many fields of application in industry and in end products, such as in industrial production, in seals, lubricants, packaging, metal coatings, in medical technology products, electronic devices, solar cells, fuel cells, batteries, in the construction sector and also in consumer products in textiles, cookware and cosmetics (Glüge et al. 2020, ECHA 2023). Due to their effects on the environment and humans and their persistence in the environment, PFAS are currently the subject of much debate and an initiative has been launched at EU level to potentially ban substances (ECHA 2023). Companies from Baden-Württemberg and all over Europe are now looking for substitutes for the use of PFAS in order to have alternatives available in the event of a possible substance ban. This meta-study therefore provides an overview of possible substances and substance groups that have the potential to replace the technical functions of PFAS. This is analysed in depth using selected examples. Using software tools based on artificial intelligence (AI), possible substitutes were identified and analysed in a structured manner. After analysing 35,246 scientific documents worldwide, 420 materials and their summary in 32 classes were identified for five participating well-known companies from Baden-Württemberg. After analysing the requirements of the participating companies in more detail, only a very limited number of potential substitutes could be identified that could partially replace PFAS as things stand today.