PFOS was widely used for its grease, oil, water, and stain-resistant properties, including in food packaging applications.
Regulations are moving beyond PFOS toward broader PFAS restrictions, with the EU and U.S. introducing measures affecting food-contact packaging. PFAS-free paperboard offers an alternative for food packaging, with solutions such as Foopak Bio Natura, Foopak Anchor Bio, and Foopak Grease Resistant Paper.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have long been used for their resistance to grease, oil, water, heat, and stains. One of the best-known substances in this group is perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS.
PFOS itself has already undergone a major phase-out in many markets. In the United States, its primary manufacturer, 3M, began voluntarily phasing out PFOS production in 2000, with the phase-out completed by 2002. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) subsequently introduced restrictions on the manufacture and import of PFOS-related substances.
However, the regulatory discussion has since expanded beyond PFOS. Governments are increasingly addressing PFAS as a broader chemical group, including restrictions on PFAS used in food-contact packaging. This shift is particularly relevant for paper and paperboard packaging, where fluorinated chemicals were historically used to provide grease and oil resistance.
Why Was PFOS Widely Used in the First Place?
PFOS and other PFAS became widely used because of their ability to provide strong resistance to grease, oil, water, and stains. These properties made them useful in food packaging, where paper and paperboard need to prevent oils and liquids from penetrating the material.
In packaging, PFAS were particularly valued for:
- Grease and oil resistance to prevent fatty foods from soaking through paper
- Water resistance to help protect packaging from moisture
- Heat and chemical resistance for demanding food-contact applications
- Durability and performance without significantly changing the material’s appearance or feel
However, the persistence of PFOS and other PFAS in the environment raised concerns about their long-term impact. As a result, regulations have increasingly moved from restricting individual substances such as PFOS toward addressing PFAS as a broader chemical group.