Syensqo: Production of PFAS Processing Aid C6O4 Discontinued in Italy

Syensqo has discontinued production of the PFAS-based surfactant C6O4 at its Spinetta Marengo site in Italy. As the company announced on October 28, 2026, C6O4 was the last PFAS-based surfactant still produced at the site for use as a processing aid in the manufacture of certain fluoropolymers. The specialty chemicals group has thus implemented a plan announced in 2022 to phase out these processing aids by 2026.

Transition to Polymerization Processes Without PFAS-Based Surfactants
Since 2019, Syensqo has been developing polymerization processes that do not require PFAS-based surfactants. According to the company, these processes have gradually been introduced across several fluoropolymer product lines. PFAS-based surfactants belong to the group of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and are used as processing aids in certain polymerization processes. Through this transition, Syensqo aims to reduce the use of these substances and the associated emissions from production. At the same time, the technical properties and reliability of the fluoropolymers are to be maintained.

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Remaining Stocks for Specialized Applications
According to Syensqo, nearly 100 percent of its fluoropolymers are now manufactured without PFAS-based surfactants as processing aids. Further development and qualification work is still required for certain highly specialized fluoropolymers, which account for approximately 1 percent of production volume at the Spinetta Marengo site. These materials are primarily needed for hydrogen and semiconductor applications. Until the transition is completed, existing C6O4 stocks will continue to be used, with available emission reduction technologies employed, according to the company.

Production of fluoropolymers for semiconductor, battery and hydrogen technologies, as well as other industrial applications, will continue. The production halt therefore applies to the manufacture of the PFAS-based processing aid C6O4, not to fluoropolymer production as a whole. Furthermore, the transition to processes that do not require PFAS-based surfactants has not yet been completed for the remaining specialty products.

More information: www.syensqo.com

Syensqo SA/NV, Brussels, Belgium

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