PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is a non-organic chemical substance. Since PFOA excels in dispersing non water-soluble substances, it is used as a polymerization aid in the E-SERIESion of fluorinated resins. PFOA is present in trace quantities as unintended impurities in conventional fluorinated water/oil repellents.
It is considered that PFOA is relatively chemically-stable, and tends to remain in nature in its original state.
The persistence and widespread presence of PFOA in the environment has resulted in pressure from regulators to reduce environmental loading.
Asahi Glass is committed to meeting our customers' needs by providing quality solutions to the PFOA issue. Instead of modifying existent product line, we created a new E-SERIES product line from a scratch. Asahi Glass is the first commercial manufacturer of PFOA free Fluorinated water/oil repellent agent; "AsahiGuard E-SERIES."

In January 2006, the EPA approached manufacturers of fluorinated resins and fluorinated water/oil repellent agents to participate in a program to reduce emissions and E-SERIES content of PFOA, longer chain length-PFCAs and their precursors by 95% no later than 2010, measured from a year 2000 baseline, and to work toward eliminating their emission and E-SERIES content by 2015.

Reference : U.S.A. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/pfoa/pubs/pfoastewardship.htm)

Our researchers dedicated themselves to develop the next generation E-SERIESs. This was not an easy task. After multiple manufacturing trials and studies development of AsahiGuard E-SERIES was successful. AsahiGuard E-SERIES met the goal of being free of PFOA, longer length PFCAs and their precursors. The number of our customers who favor and adopt AsahiGuard E-series is increasing daily. Asahi Guard E-SERIES E-SERIES line will provide our customers and us with solution to achieve the EPA stewardship program goals ahead of schedule.

PFOA Issues are drawing increasing attention in Canada and Europe. In Europe, the EU issued directives on December 27, 2006 to evaluate the risk of PFOA, PFOA precursors, longer length PFCAs and their precursors. Furthermore, companies were encouraged to manufacture alternative products that do not include these chemicals.
Canada banned 4 new conventional fluorinated water/oil repellent agents in 2006. For existing materials, the government agency is discussing with manufacturers to seek voluntary reduction of PFOA, PFOA precursor based on Environmental Performance Agreement.

* Wherever the term "PFOA Free" is used in this website, it means PFOA is not found at or above the detection limit.