Once touted for its oil and water-resistant properties, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been widely used in industry and consumer products worldwide since the 1940s. Once named the “miracle of modern chemistry,” these essentially indestructible chemicals have been heavily scrutinized in recent years for their negative long-term effects on humans and the environment. In response, global legislators have since enacted laws banning PFAS in a variety of products, including packaging, putting pressure on manufacturers across a wide range of industries for harmonized action.
PFAS, labeled as “forever chemicals,” are a class of about 15,000 compounds most frequently used to make products water-, stain- and grease-resistant. PFAS molecules contain a very strong carbon-fluorine bond, making these chemicals highly resistant to environmental degradation. As research around PFAS advances to better identify data gaps and understand end-of-life concerns, the industry is presented with an incredibly broad definition of PFAS across local governments, making the regulatory landscape even more complex.
In the United States, the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) regulations for PFAS in packaging has been approached on a case-by-case basis, causing an influx of concern across industries to shift production plans and remain compliant. With no universal definition of PFAS and a lack of federal legislation, local governments have taken steps at the state-level to regulate PFAS in packaging. For example, Vermont lawmakers have enacted extensive bans on all PFAS chemicals, including long-chain and short-chain PFAS, in food packaging. The state of Washington has required manufacturers to disclose any use of PFAS in specific types of food packaging to the state’s Department of Ecology. Other states enacting local laws around PFAS include California, New York, Maine, Minnesota, and Connecticut.
As manufacturers scramble to identify alternative eco-friendly packaging solutions that align with new strict regulations around PFAS and still deliver on performance, suppliers are investing in research and development to bring safer technologies to the market for customers. An often overlooked but critical component of packaging is oxygen absorbers. Oxygen absorbers, usually contained in a sachet inside a sealed package, are used across the food, meat snacks, baked goods, dried fruits, coffee and teas, and pet treats, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical industries. In freshly prepared foods for instance, these powerful, three-sided sealed pouches are used to take oxygen out of a package to maintain flavor, color, fragrance, and nutrition as well as dramatically extend shelf life.
The sachet normally consists of polyester, paper, and polyethylene, and contains an oil-resistant coating on the paper component to guard the oxygen-absorbing agent within the pouch so that it can perform successfully. Maintaining freshness is important across most industries but for food manufacturers who produce products such as processed meats with high oil content, the functionality of oxygen absorbers to keep food fresh is critical in packaging. Manufacturers of foods including snacks, baked goods, and pet food, traditionally relied on the grease-resistant properties of PFAS in oxygen absorbers to maintain freshness and resist grease, but with new regulations in place, they must identify an alternative solution that meets the sustainability needs of our planet with the equal performance and efficacy PFAS provided.
As legislation continues to evolve, companies are working tirelessly to quickly turnaround PFAS-free substitutes that meet the regulatory needs of the industry while upholding performance standards. Oxygen absorbers, which have been utilized across industries to maintain product safety and extend shelf life, are being reengineered to meet these new requirements by eliminating PFAS entirely and replacing it with safer technology. Mitsubishi Gas Chemical, the company who originally introduced AGELESS oxygen absorbers to the world over 40 years ago, is leading this effort. Using a proprietary formula, MCGA has researched and developed a first-of-its-kind oxygen absorber that is completely PFAS-free without sacrificing performance, quality, safety or handling time.
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical’s long history and robust technical knowledge in oxygen absorber technology has led to the development of a brand-new, advanced proprietary formula for oxygen absorbers that is 100-percent PFAS-free. PFAS-free AGELESS can create a 99.9% oxygen-free package within 24 hours, which keeps a variety of foods fresh without the use of unhealthy preservatives — drastically extending product shelf life, reducing waste, and improving product quality. Additionally, with varying “working definitions” announced by different government bodies, PFAS-free AGELESS oxygen absorbers ensure a future-proof solution since PFAS has been completely removed and replaced with a safer chemistry.
The uptick in state regulations accompanied with growing consumer awareness around the harmful effects of PFAS in humans and the environment, has already majorly affected the industry and supply chain. As manufacturers begin to phase out PFAS, companies like Mitsubishi Gas Chemical urge decision makers to partner with suppliers who are providing a solution and not just a quick fix. At a time when the industry lacks direction and guidance and sustainability is top of mind, transparency and trust are important attributes to look for in suppliers to remain compliant and meet sustainability goals.
Mitsubishi Gas Chemical is actively engaged in research and development for environmentally safe solutions and will continue to pivot to the needs of our global industry partners to remain compliant and protect the planet, without compromising on quality or performance.
