The anionic, short perfluoroalkyl chain PolyFox fluorosurfactants are formulated to meet the goals of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) program. The new products are formulated using dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether (DPM) solvent instead of diethylene glycol monobutyl ether (butyl carbitol), the solvent used previously. Some consider DPM to be an environmentally preferred formulating agent. The PolyFox technology platform is based on an oligomeric poly (oxetane) backbone with short perfluoroalkyl groups. PolyFox materials are neither prepared from PFOA, PFOS or telomer-based fluorochemicals of concern, nor can they degrade into such materials. Consequently, PolyFox fluorosurfactants and fluorochemicals by regulatory agencies globally, including the EPA and the EU’s REACH program. — Omnova Solutions, Inc., Fairlawn, Ohio
Alternative flurosurfactants that are environmentally preferred
| By Chemical Engineering