Sekisui Chemical Develops PFAS-Free Pipeline Technology for Ultrapure Water Transport

Sekisui Chemical Co., Ltd. announced that in response to the increasing global regulatory scrutiny on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and the growing demand for reduced environmental impact, its Urban Infrastructure and Environmental Products Company has been developing a new PFAS-free piping material technology for use in ultrapure processes in advanced semiconductor manufacturing. With certain progress made in the development of this technology, Sekisui Chemical will begin formally proposing it to customers.

Inhibit the leaching of inorganic and organic substances

In the semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) industries, the ultrapure water used must maintain its quality during transportation. The types of piping materials used for this purpose include pipes made from resin materials such as rigid PVC, PP, and fluororesins like PVDF, PTFE, and PFA, as well as metal pipes made from specially surface-treated metal materials. In today's advanced semiconductor industry, with the development of ultra-miniaturization, piping materials are required to suppress the leaching of inorganic and organic substances as much as possible.

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

PFAS refers to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, which are difficult to degrade in the natural environment and may pose risks to human health or ecosystems. Among PFAS, the manufacture and import of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) have been prohibited. Currently, materials such as PVDF and PTFE used in ultrapure process applications for fluororesin pipes and fittings in Japan are not yet subject to regulatory restrictions. However, in Europe and the United States, studies are underway to comprehensively regulate PFAS. Along with other measures, there is a global trend toward increasingly stringent regulation of PFAS.

Manufacturing process CO₂ emissions reduced by 80%

As a pioneer in plastic piping materials, Sekisui Chemical launched the rigid PVC piping material “Eslon Clean Pipe” for ultra-pure water transportation in 1984. With an outstanding track record, this product has been widely adopted. This time, from the perspective of addressing PFAS, a special olefin resin piping material has been developed as a new low-leaching material to replace fluororesins.

In November 2022, Sekisui Chemical, in collaboration with Kurita Water Industries Ltd., began demonstration testing using an actual ultrapure water manufacturing system. Compared to existing fluororesin piping materials, this special olefin resin piping material can reduce CO₂ emissions during the manufacturing process by approximately 80%. Additionally, in response to global PFAS regulatory trends, Sekisui Chemical has started developing PFAS-free pipes and fittings for ultrapure process applications.

Future Outlook

With the establishment of this PFAS-free technology, Sekisui Chemical will begin formally proposing it to customers and aims to commercialize it within fiscal year 2026. The company will also continue development to realize the manufacture of completely PFAS-free valves, gaskets, and other piping materials for ultrapure process applications as soon as possible.