SEKISUI CHEMICAL CO., LTD. announces that in response to the increasingly stringent global regulation of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the need to reduce environmental impact, its Urban Infrastructure & Environmental Products Company (President: Yoshiyuki Hirai) is developing a PFAS-free piping material technology for ultrapure water processes used in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Having achieved significant progress in the development of this technology, SEKISUI CHEMICAL will officially propose it to customers.

1. Background

Ultrapure water used in the semiconductor and flat-panel display (FPD) industries * must be supplied without compromising quality. Piping materials used include resins (rigid polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), fluorocarbon resins such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and perfluoroalkoxy resins (PFA), as well as metal pipes with special surface treatments. With the advancement of semiconductor manufacturing processes, today's advanced semiconductor industry requires piping materials that minimize the release of inorganic and organic substances.

*The flat panel display (FPD) industry refers to all industries related to the manufacturing of flat panel displays, including liquid crystal displays, organic EL displays, and LED displays.

2. PFAS and its regulatory status

PFAS refers to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are extremely difficult to decompose in nature and may have harmful effects on humans and ecosystems. The manufacture and import of PFOA and PFOS, two PFAS compounds, are already banned. While Japan currently does not regulate fluorocarbon resins such as PVDF and PTFE used in ultrapure water process piping and fittings, Europe and the United States are considering comprehensive PFAS regulation. Combined with other related initiatives, global regulation of PFAS is trending towards stricter regulations.

3. Development History

As a pioneer in plastic piping materials, Sekisui Chemical launched the "EsloClean Pipe", a rigid PVC piping material for transporting ultrapure water, as early as 1984 and has been widely adopted due to its outstanding performance. Based on the PFAS issue, Sekisui Chemical has successfully developed a special olefin resin piping material as a low-release alternative to fluorocarbon resin. In November 2022, Sekisui Chemical and Kurita Water Industries Ltd. jointly launched actual ultrapure water system verification tests. Compared with existing fluorocarbon resin piping materials, this special olefin resin piping material can reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 80% during the manufacturing process . In addition, in response to the tightening global PFAS regulations, Sekisui Chemical has also begun to develop PFAS-free piping and accessories for ultrapure water process applications.

4. Future Outlook

With the establishment of PFAS-free technology, Sekisui Chemical will officially propose the product to customers, aiming for market launch within fiscal 2026. The company will also advance the development of other PFAS-free piping materials for ultrapure water processes, including valves and gaskets, with the goal of achieving complete PFAS-free status sooner rather than later.

Sekisui Chemical is accelerating the development and expansion of products that significantly contribute to environmental and social issues, such as "Clean Pipe." To achieve sustainable growth for both society and the company, Sekisui Chemical is comprehensively promoting the "Products to Enhance Sustainability System" within the group to achieve a higher level of ESG management.

Sekisui Chemical will strive to achieve sustainable social development by 2030 by developing products that address natural and social issues from manufacturing to customer use.

Contacts
Press Contact: Sekisui
Chemical Co., Ltd.,
Communications Department, Management Headquarters,
Email:kouhou@sekisui.com

Other Contact Information:
Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd.,
Environment & Life Infrastructure Business Area,
Industrial Systems Division
https://eslon-plant.jp/web-en/contact/

 

Source: businesswire.com

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