Successful Conference on Fluoropolymer Restriction Impact on Flow Control Industry

In mid-November, the Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) and Hydraulic Institute (HI) conducted a workshop in Alexandria, Virginia, regarding the proposed bans of all PFAS substances, including fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers, used widely in the flow control industry with no known alternatives available today. While some PFAS substances have been found to be harmful to human health and the environment, fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers used in manufacturing flow control products do not contain any of these harmful substances.

Further, the industry uses these fluoropolymers because there is nothing else available that provides the same benefits and allows end-user and regulatory standards and requirements to be met — especially regarding fugitive emissions and in severe and highly corrosive environments. Because of this, VMA has been educating and explaining to lawmakers on why flouropolymers and flouroelastomers used in the flow control industry should be excluded from any ban.

Attendees heard from industry speakers throughout the day from a variety of companies and organizations.
Source: VMA

The slate of speakers consisted of representatives from government organizations including the EPA, from industry consultants with specific knowledge and experience on this topic and from manufacturers of flow control products and chemicals used to make these seals and products.
Attendees were very active and engaged in Q&A sessions following each speaker, and the conversations continued during breaks, over lunch and at a closing networking reception. Topics including research and testing of these substances, legal liabilities, employee safety, reporting requirements and insurance considerations were discussed. 

This topic is critical to the flow control industry as the proposed bans includes products with no known health effects or bioaccumulation that may cause harm to people. These fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers are crucial to seals, gaskets, pumps, coatings and other components critical in the industry to create effective sealing, emission barriers, to reduce energy usage and that meet the stringent requirements of high temperature and high corrosion environments. The outright ban of these substances could cause irreparable harm to the progress made in reducing emissions to improve air quality. 

With no known alternatives, and an estimated decade or more needed to identify, test and build manufacturing and supply chain systems for viable alternatives, the Valve Manufacturers Association has provided to the states of Maine and Minnesota formal comments and requested a Currently Unavoidable Use Designation for products manufactured and used in the industry.  The VMA has also provided information to the U.S. government and EU on the importance of the industry continuing to use fluoropolymers and fluoroelastomers in meeting regulatory requirements, keeping workers and communities safe, maintaining our quality of life, and helping society meet energy and environmental goals.

VMA and HI members participate in a workshop on day 2 discussing direct impacts of a ban on their businesses.
Source: VMA

The second day was a closed half-day workshop consisting of roundtables for VMA and HI members only, where discussions included communication and education efforts for the associations and member companies alike, as well as other topics of concern to manufacturers.

The Coalition continues to work on educating all stakeholders on the profound impact the outright ban of all PFAS materials would have on the global economy outside of just the flow control industry. Both VMA and HI will continue to offer educational opportunities on this topic, as well as represent the industry to lawmakers and elected officials.