Syensqo S.A. (Brussels) announced the end of production of C6O4, the last fluorosurfactant used in the manufacture of certain fluoropolymers at its Spinetta Marengo site (Italy). With this step, the company delivers on the innovation commitment it announced in 2022 to phase out fluorosurfactants by 2026, while continuing to produce the high-performance materials that enable critical technologies in semiconductors, batteries, hydrogen and other specialized industrial applications.
Fluorosurfactants are manufacturing aids used in the production of certain fluoropolymers and have been a particular focus of regulatory and public attention within the broader PFAS discussion. The company’s investment in research and innovation since 2019 has enabled the development of a new polymerization process that does not require the use of fluorosurfactants, while maintaining the performance and reliability customers expect from fluoropolymers. These non-fluorosurfactant polymerization technologies have since been rolled out across product lines, allowing Syensqo to now cease the production of C6O4 in Italy.
“This milestone reflects years of investment in innovation. We have developed manufacturing technologies that eliminate the need for fluorosurfactants while continuing to provide the high-performance fluoropolymers our customers rely on for critical applications including semiconductors, clean energy and healthcare,” said Mike Radossich, CEO of Syensqo. “Fluoropolymers remain essential materials for technologies that support the energy transition, medical innovation, clean water and digital infrastructure.”
The production stop of C6O4 reflects Syensqo’s strategy to reduce emissions from manufacturing processes and combine it with continued innovation in high-performance polymers, while supporting evolving regulatory expectations through science-based solutions.
Nearly 100% of the company’s fluoropolymers are now manufactured without these PFAS processing aids. A small number (approximately 1% of the site’s production volume) of highly specialized fluoropolymers, primarily supporting hydrogen and semiconductor applications, still require additional research and qualification before transitioning to the new manufacturing technology. Existing C6O4 inventories will be used to manufacture these fluoropolymers using the best available technology for emissions reduction.
With one of the broadest portfolios of specialty polymers in the industry, Syensqo combines deep materials science expertise with customer collaboration to develop solutions tailored to the world’s most demanding applications. The transition to non-fluorosurfactant manufacturing further strengthens the group’s ability to deliver high-performance materials with an increasingly sustainable manufacturing footprint.