Report maps barrieres to PFAS phase-out
PFAS have played a central role in industry for decades, but their harmful effects on the environment and health make phasing them out necessary and inevitable.
Teknologisk Udsyn maps Danish companies’ use of PFAS, the biggest barriers to substitution and the technological opportunities that can pave the way for a breakthrough. Targeted support can make Denmark a pioneer in the development of PFAS-free solutions.
Key conclusions for the outlook
Danish companies are in the midst of a difficult but necessary transition away from PFAS, driven by both health risks and upcoming, stricter EU regulations. However, many lack insight into where the substances are found in their products and how they can be replaced without compromising quality or economy.
Three recommendations for further action
We call for the pooling of knowledge, advice and testing opportunities in a national platform that helps small and medium-sized enterprises in particular to find, develop and document PFAS-free alternatives. Specifically, we recommend the following next steps:
1. Acquire knowledge – make it easy to act
Danish companies need quick answers about where PFAS is found and which alternatives work in practice. We recommend establishing a national knowledge platform where companies can find specific cases, test results and step-by-step guides to substitution.
2. Empower companies to develop alternatives
Small and medium-sized enterprises in particular cannot undertake the substitution work alone. With a targeted support programme, companies can gain access to financial resources, testing facilities and impartial advice. This enables more companies to develop, test and document PFAS-free materials without significant risk.
3. Increase transparency in value chains
Many companies inadvertently introduce PFAS through complex value chains. When manual traceability fails, it makes sense to combine new technology, strong partnerships and cross-industry learning. This creates collective solutions to complex problems. With AI tools, for example, that can provide overview, knowledge sharing and collaboration, solutions can be found across the value chain. Overall, this strengthens responsibility, demand and competitiveness in the market of the future.
Read the full report here (in Danish).
An English version will be available shortly.