What is HFPO-Dimer Acid?

HFPO-DA, also called C3 Dimer Acid, is an acronym for the chemical compound hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid.  Chemours uses HFPO-DA and its ammonium salt as a patented polymerization aid in the manufacture of fluoropolymers. This technology platform has been referred to by the trade name, GenX, and in certain cases the term GenX has been mistakenly used to refer to the singular chemical compound HFPO-DA. GenX is not a chemical compound, it is a trade name, and therefore the two terms should not be used interchangeably.

The chemical compound HFPO-DA is not a commercial product, and it is safe for its intended use in the manufacturing of high-performance fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are critical to the effective operation of everything from making semiconductors, automobiles and airplanes, to the functioning of electronics, communications systems and green hydrogen.

How is HFPO-Dimer Acid used?

HFPO-Dimer Acid is an aid used in the fluoropolymer manufacturing process to reduce the surface tension in the process, allowing the polymer particles to grow larger. The process is completed through heating or chemical treatment to remove residual HFPO-Dimer Acid (polymerization aid). The majority of the HFPO-Dimer Acid is then recovered and recycled for use in subsequent fluoropolymer polymerization processes.

Why is HFPO-Dimer Acid important?

HFPO-Dimer Acid is a critical part of the manufacturing process for Chemours’ fluoropolymers. Fluoropolymers are used in applications that span nearly every major sector of the economy, and the responsible manufacturing of fluoropolymers in the United States is critical to furthering U.S. technology leadership, onshoring key industries, and enabling American supply chain resiliency and security. Chemours’ products, enabled by HFPO-Dimer Acid and its ammonium salts, can withstand the most challenging and high-stress conditions, and are thus used in critical, high-value applications such as in the energy, defense, and technology sectors.

Is HFPO-Dimer Acid safe?

There is over a decade of scientific data about HFPO-Dimer Acid that confirm its safety profile. Multiple studies demonstrate that it does not bioaccumulate and, if incidental exposure were to occur, it’s rapidly eliminated from the body. 

What is Chemours doing about emissions at its sites?

Chemours is committed to responsible manufacturing, including by reducing emissions, waste, and water use; producing more sustainable products in our portfolio; and building an empowered and inclusive culture. We are committed to reducing air and water process emissions of fluorinated organic compounds by at least 99% by 2030.

What are per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)?

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) is a term often used to represent a diverse group of chemistries that contain carbon-fluorine bonds, the strongest chemical bonds in organic chemistry. Due to their unique and useful properties, PFAS are widely used and critical to enabling numerous technologies.

The term PFAS encompasses over 4,700 substances. However, it is estimated that less than 10% of all PFAS substances are in commercial use today. Further, not all PFAS are the same. The chemistries currently in commercial use have varying physical and chemical properties, health, and environmental profiles, uses, and benefits. Chemours has and continues to support science-based regulation of PFAS substances, including HFPO-Dimer Acid.

What are fluoropolymers? 

Fluoropolymers are one specific class of PFAS. Fluoropolymers are used in applications that span nearly every major sector of the economy, and the responsible manufacturing of fluoropolymers in the United States is critical to furthering U.S. technology leadership, onshoring key industries, and enabling American supply chain resiliency and security. One critical example of this is the importance of PFA fluoropolymers – of which Chemours is the only domestic producer – in the manufacture of semiconductor chips. Put simply, chips cannot be manufactured without fluoropolymers.

Why are fluoropolymers important?

Fluoropolymers possess a unique combination of properties that make them critical to modern life and a wide variety of sectors and industries including the Green Economy. Their properties include weather resistance, temperature resistance, chemical resistance, non-wetting and non-sticking properties, and high-performance dielectric properties.

Fluoropolymers also are critical components in applications that span nearly every major sector of the economy. They are critical to these sectors and industries because for these applications require products that meet specified performance where failure is not an option.

In a complex, interlinked world, technological advancements are transforming nearly every aspect of our daily lives: keeping us connected to our family and friends, reducing the time we spend commuting to the office, allowing us to see the world, and helping us better protect ourselves and our planet. Fluoropolymers are at the center of these technological advancements and will play a critical role in unlocking the next wave of innovation such as 5G, green hydrogen, electric and autonomous vehicles, smart cities, and artificial intelligence.

These technological advancements are driving markets that are poised for meaningful growth over the next five years. For example, our components are critical for semiconductors. By 2025 there will be 75 billion Internet of Things Devices, all of which will require semiconductors. Our products are also critical for the U.S. manufacture of green hydrogen fuel cells. Over 75 countries have net-zero emissions and hydrogen specific strategies driving their climate goals. These goals are backed by a commitment of $70 billion towards hydrogen initiatives.