In a recent interview with the international chemical secretariat ChemSec, Dr. Emil Damgaard-Møller, Secretariat Leader of the PFAS Partnership, shared critical insights on how industry can overcome technical and economic barriers to transition to a PFAS-free future.
The upcoming EU REACH restriction proposal is prompting many industries to evaluate their reliance on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Yet, a common sentiment persists: “Substitution is too difficult, too expensive, or technically impossible.”
According to Dr. Emil Damgaard-Møller, who has spent years collaborating with manufacturers on chemical substitution, this view is often a myth.
“PFAS substitution is more manageable than many assume. In a great many cases, PFAS alternatives can be developed or implemented, provided a serious effort is put in,” Emil Damgaard-Møller explains.
The Two Real Barriers: Economics and Fragmented Knowledge
If the technical alternatives are largely within reach, why is progress slow? Emil points to two primary obstacles: economics and a lack of structured, accessible knowledge.
Historically, PFAS has been cheap and highly versatile, leading industries to rely on it out of convenience rather than absolute necessity. To accelerate the transition, “doing the right thing” must be made the most profitable choice for businesses.
According to Emil, establishing this dynamic requires three key pillars:
- Clear, robust legislation to create a level playing field.
- Predictable timelines so that companies can invest in R&D and testing with confidence.
- Shared infrastructure for knowledge-sharing, standard testing, and substitution evidence.
Overcoming the Knowledge Gap with Collaboration and AI
For many PFAS applications, the technical data on alternative materials already exists, but it is scattered across different sectors, academic journals, and supply chains. Consolidating this knowledge is a monumental task for any single company, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Emil suggests that leveraging modern AI tools can help collect, structure, and compare this fragmented information in a systematic, automated way.
This is precisely where The Danish EPA’s PFAS Partnership with Industry plays a vital role. By providing a non-competitive, collaborative platform, the partnership helps companies share substitution data, coordinate joint testing, and build the competencies needed to future-proof their operations.
“That is how we can accelerate substitution where it is possible, focus attention where it is genuinely difficult, and avoid confusing habit or convenience with true necessity,” says Emil.
Read the Full Interview
For a deeper dive into the chemical, technical, and regulatory realities of the PFAS phase-out, read Dr. Emil Damgaard-Møller’s full interview on the ChemSec platform.