Reminder | Vermont Fluoropolymer Survey for Manufacturers

Vermont manufacturers who produce products and components that incorporate fluoropolymers are strongly encouraged to complete the brief, confidential survey linked here to receive important updates and alerts regarding state legislation and regulations that could impact the ability to use these important materials.

The Importance

Fluoropolymers (such as PTFE, FEP, PFA, PVDF, ETFE, and ECTFE) are critical materials used in a wide range of applications.  Commonly, they are used as specific components, coatings, liners, seals, membranes, insulation, or structural parts because of their chemical resistance, heat resistance, low friction, and electrical properties.  See the list below for more examples.

The Threat

However, the risk to Vermont manufacturers stems from the fact that the state’s regulations include fluoropolymers under the broad definition of prohibited PFAS chemicals.  This is despite the fact that fluoropolymers do not have the health and environmental concerns that are associated with other PFAS that have gained public and regulatory attention in recent years.

As Vermont considers expanding the list of specific products or consumer and eventually industrial products broadly under PFAS bans, many Vermont manufacturers could face product and component bans where alternatives to fluoropolymers are not reasonably or affordably available, if at all.

What to Do

Several states have taken steps or are considering steps to exempt fluoropolymers in whole or part from PFAS restrictions.  AIV is working to promote such reforms in Vermont this coming legislative session to help avoid unintended or unreasonable consequences for manufacturers. 

By completing this survey, you can help make sure that you get timely and informative updates and alerts related to this issue and related efforts.  You can also learn more about different options you can consider for engaging and assisting on this matter.

Thank you for considering completing this survey, and if you have any questions or would like to discuss this matter further, please don’t hesitate to reach out through the survey or by contacting us at info@aivt.org.

Some of the most common manufactured product components containing fluoropolymers include:

• Industrial Machinery: Bearings, bushings, wear pads, low-friction sliding surfaces

• Aerospace: Wire insulation, fuel-system seals, valve seats, hydraulic components

• Electronics: Wire insulation, cable jackets, connector insulation, PCB materials

• Medical Devices: Catheters, tubing, implant components, biomedical device parts

• Batteries: Electrode binders, separator coatings, battery films

• Automotive: Fuel hoses, fuel-line liners, seals, O-rings, gaskets

• Chemical Processing Equipment: Pipe linings, tank linings, valves, pumps, diaphragms, fittings

• Cookware: Non-stick coatings on pans and bakeware

• Semiconductors: Wafer carriers, ultra-pure fluid tubing, chemical delivery systems

• Water & Filtration: Membranes, filter plates, filtration media

• Construction: Roofing membranes, architectural films, specialty coatings

• Textiles: Waterproof/breathable membranes (e.g., expanded PTFE)

• Laboratory Equipment: Tubing, containers, valve liners, chemical-resistant vessels

Action Alert | Surveying Manufacturers’ Exposure to Fossil Fuel Costs

Keeping Vermont Manufacturers Informed and Heard

Although there continue to be advances in electric alternatives, fossil fuels remain critical for most manufacturers in production, transportation, or space heating. In recent years, there have been major proposals that would have increased fuel costs on manufacturers out of proportion to their ability to find efficiencies or alternatives, including increased highway diesel costs under the multi-state Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) several years ago and, most recently, production/processing fuel costs under Vermont’s Clean Heat Standard. Although both of those initiatives were dropped or put on hold for various reasons, new proposals along the same or similar lines are expected to be debated in the Vermont Legislature this year and next.

To prepare for these debates, AIV is surveying Vermont manufacturers to help ensure that impacted companies stay informed and up to date on developments, as well as to help companies that might want to engage with legislators or provide AIV with feedback to inform our efforts. We would appreciate it if you could complete the short survey below — your information will be kept confidential and your participation does not commit you to any position or action. If you have any questions or suggestions, please be sure to contact us!