AGC Inc. has developed an innovative process to manufacture fluoropolymers without the use of surfactants^*1. Using the technology, AGC aims to achieve a continuous and stable supply of fluoropolymers. Primarily, these materials are indispensable for the realization of a carbon-neutral and digital society.

Some fluoropolymers have been conventionally manufactured through a method called emulsion polymerization using fluorinated surfactants as polymerization aids^*2. In the past few years, there has been a growing demand for the development of manufacturing technologies not using fluorinated surfactants. However, some other currently developed technologies using non-fluorinated surfactants have some issues, such as the generation of fluorinated byproducts^*3. Additionally, they have inferior performance compared to those manufactured through conventional technologies.

Same High-Performance Properties Sans Surfactants

Primarily, the technology AGC has developed makes it possible to manufacture fluoropolymers having the same type of high-performance properties as those produced by conventional methods with an extremely low generation of fluorinated byproducts^*4, without using any surfactants.

Mainly, fluoropolymers are used in multiple applications in various fields. Among them includes semiconductors, automobiles, electronics, and energy. Also, they are indispensable materials for the sustainable development of society.

In this case, fluoropolymers produced using the technology demonstrate the same kind of excellent properties as those of conventional products, such as heat resistance, cold resistance, chemical resistance, durability, and other properties. Currently, the technology is in development with the aim of starting industrial scale production by 2030.

As part of its key strategy in the medium-term management plan AGC plus-2026, AGC Group aims to strengthen its sustainability management and create three social values: Blue Planet (Realization of a sustainable global environment), Innovation (Creation of an innovative future society), and Well-being (Contribution to a safe and secure living). Thus, through the development and application of the technology, it will continue to provide safe, reliable, and highly essential products. Further, it aims to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.

^*1 Surfactants are chemical substances used to mix immiscible substances to form an emulsion, a homogeneous mixture.

^*2 Polymerization aid is the term used to describe a surfactant or emulsifier, fluorinated or non-fluorinated.

^*3 Byproducts are incidental or secondary substances produced as a result of a manufacturing process.

^*4 The amount of individual non-polymeric fluorinated byproducts contained in a product can be controlled to less than 25ppb.

-17 September 2024-