New Study Reaffirms Essentiality of Fluoropolymers for Strategic EU Industries
Brussels, 29 April 2026
The Fluoropolymers Product Group (FPG) has published a new study, prepared by Ramboll, assessing the availability and feasibility of alternatives to fluoropolymers in selected critical applications across the transport and electronics and semiconductor sectors. The report provides a detailed, real-world assessment of whether currently identified alternatives are available and can meet industrial requirements. The report confirms that in many critical uses they are either not available or simply do not match the necessary criteria to be considered a viable alternative to fluoropolymers, reinforcing FPG’s call for a full exemption of fluoropolymers from the proposed REACH restriction. It is the first in a series of upcoming FPG publications (which will also include an analysis of fluoropolymers at their end-of-Life and a socio-economic analysis) aimed at building a comprehensive, evidence-based foundation for chemical regulation in the EU.
The analysis, conducted in line with the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) methodology for Analysis of Alternatives, shows that for the applications assessed, viable alternatives fail on key technical performance criteria or are simply not available. In automotive applications, the materials assessed are not viable replacements for fluoropolymers, and the technical barriers involved mean this is unlikely to change in the foreseeable future. In semiconductor applications, alternatives either do not meet the required performance standards or have not been sufficiently validated under real operating conditions.
The study also highlights that substitution in complex systems cannot be assessed at substance level alone. Fluoropolymers are embedded across multiple components within the same application, meaning realistic substitution must consider the full product, supply chain, and lifecycle. This complexity also means that the challenges identified are not exceptional but reflect the technical reality of working with fluoropolymers across high-performance applications, where each use presents its own distinct barriers and no basis exists to assume feasibility where it has not been demonstrated.
“The Assessment of Alternatives clearly shows that, in the examined case studies, functionally equivalent alternatives are not available or cannot responsibly replace existing materials” said Caroline Andersson, Director of FPG. “Policy must support innovation and research, while safeguarding performance, safety and resilience in strategic value chains. Fluoropolymers should therefore be fully exempted to avoid unintended impacts on critical European industries.”
The report highlights that availability, safety, economic viability, supply chains, and sustainability must be taken into account when evaluating fluoropolymers. Acknowledging their distinct and unique properties, established safety profile and strategic importance, a full exemption within the REACH restriction would facilitate timely implementation, reduce administrative complexity and sustain EU competitiveness and security. In this context, FPG supports a regulatory approach that targets emissions rather than materials and recommends a risk-based restriction framework that recognises the voluntary manufacturing commitments as a basis for alternative risk management.
Find out more here.