REDUCING OUR CHEMICAL IMPACTS & ENSURING RESPONSIBLE CHEMICAL USE

PFCs (per and poly-fluorinated chemicals) is a term with no commonly agreed definition, and like PFAS (per and poly fluorinated alkyl substances), generally refers to a broad group of highly fluorinated compounds with vastly differing physical attributes and properties. So, in communicating about PFCs it is important to be specific about the particular PFC or group of PFCs being discussed.

Gore has identified a group of PFCs as being of environmental concern. These PFCs of Environmental Concern are highly fluorinated, small enough to be bioavailable, and persistent. Although not all PFCs of Environmental Concern are hazardous, they do have the potential to become widely dispersed in water, where they will remain for multiple generations. Therefore, Gore Fabrics has established goals to eliminate them from the life cycle of our consumer fabrics products.

PTFE is not a PFC of Environmental Concern. PTFE is safe and environmentally sound. This fluoropolymer is highly stable, too large to be bioavailable, insoluble in water, and does not degrade in the environment. Therefore, it is not a PFC of Environmental Concern and it does not degrade into them.

GORE-TEX garments have a textile treatment called DWR - a durable water repellent polymer - applied to the outermost fabric layer so that water beads up and rolls off rather than soaking in. DWR is important as it provides comfort and protection to the end-user.

Once the water repellency is lost, users feel uncomfortable and may not be able to maintain the right body temperature, which could result in a loss of focus and endurance. End-users may also perceive the garments are not waterproof. As a consequence, such products may no longer be used and will need to be replaced with new products. In other words: a low performing DWR can increase the negative environmental impact of a jacket, shoes or other outdoor product.

The substances we use today for our DWR are safe for the end-user and the environment when applied responsibly. Gore Fabrics uses only those materials that have gone through thorough scrutiny by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are approved for use in Europe, Japan and China as well as meeting Norway’s product standards.

In 2016 Gore announced its intention to deliver a new DWR offering. This DWR is free of PFCs of Environmental Concern and is designed for the general outdoor consumer and for end-uses where the high performance and durability of short-chain PFC-based solutions are not fully exploited, e.g. day hiking or lift served skiing. These products were introduced to retail in the Autumn /Winter 2018 season.
 

At the center of some GORE-TEX fabrics is an extremely thin membrane that is durably waterproof, windproof and breathable. Gore Fabrics uses ePTFE (an expanded form of PTFE) for this membrane.

PTFE is a fluoropolymer. Fluoropolymers are extremely valuable materials that have unique properties and enable high performing products. For example, the use of fluoropolymers will enhance the durability of a product, enabling a longer life and lowering its environmental footprint. Fluoropolymers are a separate family of high-performance plastics that are different from water and oil repellency treatments.

This fluoropolymer is inert, insoluble in water, extremely stable and not biodegradable. Therefore, it does not degrade to become a source of PFCs of Environmental Concern.

No.

We believe there is a clear and important distinction between PTFE and the PFCs of Environmental Concern, a position supported by sound science.
 
PTFE is non-toxic, safe for the end-user, insoluble and biocompatible. It is a large, stable molecule that does not degrade to become a source of PFCs of Environmental Concern.

The connection between PTFE and PFCEC occurs up-stream in Gore’s supply chain in the manufacture of the materials that Gore purchases. Gore has established the goal to eliminate PFCEC from the life cycle of our consumer fabrics products. We do not believe that end-of-life disposal of our products is an issue because PTFE is a large, stable molecule it does not degrade in the environment. To further inform our understanding of this topic, Gore has commissioned an incineration study of municipal incineration conditions typical of Gore Fabrics’ major markets.

This is clearly the goal Gore Fabrics has set. Gore Fabrics continuously strives to deliver outdoor products with the optimal combination of high technical performance and sustainability. Maintaining end-use specific quality and performance standards is prerequisite for any new technology developments.

No. As a material science company, we are simultaneously pursing multiple technical paths for our fabrics products and not limiting ourselves to only fluoromaterials, however we believe that PTFE will continue to be the material of choice for many applications.