{"id":42202,"date":"2024-09-13T13:07:09","date_gmt":"2024-09-13T13:07:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/praxas.com\/?p=42202"},"modified":"2025-03-13T09:23:36","modified_gmt":"2025-03-13T09:23:36","slug":"pfas-regulations-on-the-garment-industry","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/praxas.com\/en\/pfas-regulations-on-the-garment-industry\/","title":{"rendered":"Impact of PFAS Regulation on the Garment Industry"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In this article, we\u2019ll explore PFAS and how new regulations are impacting the garment industry.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

PFAS (Perfluoroalkyl chemicals) are a type of DWR (Durable Water Repellent) coating that makes clothing resistant to water and oil. You\u2019ll find DWR coatings in outdoor gear, sportswear, workwear, and even medical clothing. PFAS have been used for years because they\u2019re highly effective. However, they are also toxic, which has drawn the attention of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In 2009, the EU began restricting some types of PFAS. These chemicals, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” don\u2019t break down naturally and can contaminate soil and water. Over time, they can build up in living organisms and have been linked to serious health problems. As a result, the EU is working to phase them out entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The latest EU regulations are pushing garment and textile companies to change their DWR coatings once again. Previously, C8-based PFAS (named for their longer chemical chain) were banned, so the industry switched to C6-based PFAS, which have a shorter chain. However, the new restrictions now target these C6-based PFAS as well. This shift is creating new challenges for companies across the industry. Let\u2019s dive into the consequences of this change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Companies that have been using C6-based PFAS now need to find alternative substances to protect fabrics from water and oil. This change in coating can lead to new issues, such as mould developing on garments during transport.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Figure 1. Typical PFAS exposure pathways (Source: European Environment Agency)<\/sub><\/em><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

In early 2020, a manufacturer reached out to Absortech <\/a>after noticing mould on their clothing shipments from Asia to Europe. The problem? They had switched to a new coating to comply with the latest EU regulations, and it wasn\u2019t providing the same protection as before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe first cargo shipment after changing the coating on the clothes, arrived in Europe in very bad condition. Clothes were full of mould. We never experienced those damages before and needed to understand why it happened to avoid it in following shipments.\u201d<\/em> – \u2013 Supply Chain Manager<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The new client had been using silica gel pouches inside the polybags, but despite this, the garments still arrived in poor condition, leading to unexpected costs and delays. Absortech was ready to help and began by asking a few key questions:<\/p>\n\n\n\n