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Hello. This is Kimura from the trend blog.
This time, we will explain what PFAS is, which is still not well known in Japan, its characteristics, and the process of transitioning to PFAS-free textile.
What are PFAS?
PFAS is an abbreviation for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a general term for organic fluorine compounds.
These chemicals have excellent resistance to heat, water, and oil, and have been used in a variety of everyday and industrial products, including fabrics.
🧪 Characteristics of PFAS textile
PFAS-treated textile offer the following benefits:
✅ Water-repellent: It repels water effectively, protecting your clothes and bags from rain and splashes.
✅ Oil-repellent: It repels not only water, but also oil and dirt. It is also resistant to food spills and oil stains.
✅ Durability: It is resistant to friction and washing, and its effectiveness lasts for a long time.
✅ Chemical resistance: This material is resistant to chemicals and can maintain its performance even in harsh environments.
🧥 Main products that use PFAS textile
It is often used in the following products:
▶ Outdoor wear Rain jackets Hiking pants Snowboard wear (→ Resistant to rain, snow, mud, and other natural elements)
▶ Sportswear Running jackets Training wear (→ Resistant to sweat and dirt, can withstand washing)
▶ Interior goods Carpets Sofa upholstery Curtains (→ Prevents spills and stains)
▶ Household miscellaneous goods-repellent bags and eco-bagsWater-repellent apronsWaterproof sheets and mattress covers
🌍 But why are PFAS an issue now?
While useful, PFAS are known as "forever chemicals" because they tend to persist in the environment and are difficult to break down.
These substances pose a risk of accumulating in the bodies of humans and animals, and there are currently efforts around the world to restrict their use and switch to alternatives.
❗️The US states of California and New York have banned the sale of textile containing PFAS as of January 2025.
🌱 Features of PFAS-free textile
This textile does not use PFAS and has water-repellent and stain-resistant properties while minimizing the impact on the environment and human body.
Recently, with growing awareness of sustainability, manufacturers have been actively developing and introducing these technologies.
✅ It is environmentally friendly and does not contain PFAS, and uses ingredients that are biodegradable or do not accumulate in the body.
✅ We use ingredients that are considered to be highly safe and have low health risks, and comply with regulations in Europe (REACH) and the United States (EPA).
✅ Water repellency is somewhat weakCompared to conventional PFAS textile(especially C8 treatment), water and oil repellency may be slightly inferior, but it performs sufficiently depending on the application.
🧵 Commonly used alternative technologies and materials
🌿 C0 Water Repellent Treatment A treatment method that does not use any PFAS. It mainly uses plant-derived or silicone-based ingredients. It has a water-repellent effect, but basically no oil-repellent properties.
🌿 Silicone-based processing Silicone oil is used to give water repellency. It is highly safe and has little impact on the human body and the environment. It also has a soft texture.
🌿 Made with natural ingredients such as wax, vegetable oil-based beeswax, and castor oil. Also used by eco-friendly outdoor brands.
🔁 Usage examples (products that use PFAS-free materials)
Eco-outdoor brand rainwear for kids (health and safety in mind)
Water-repellent jackets and bags for sustainable fashion
Eco-friendly curtains and bedding for hotels and medical facilities
🧪 Evaluation method for water repellency (common)
🔹Spray method (JIS L 1092)
This is the most commonly used test method, based on the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS), in which water is sprayed onto the textile and the rank is determined by the state of the water droplets that remain on the surface.
*When new, "grade 4 to 5" is considered high performance. If it maintains "grade 3 or higher" even after 10 washes, it is often rated as **durable water repellency (DWR)**.
🌿 Trends for C0 types (PFAS-free)
The "C0 type" which does not use PFAS is, compared to conventional PFAS-containing types (C6 and C8),
▶ When new: Water repellency level 4 to 5
▶ After 5 to 10 washes: Often drops to around grade 3
In other words, it has water-repellent properties but tends to be less durable over the long term .
However, improvements have been made in recent years, and there are now an increasing number of high-performance products that "maintain grade 3 even after 10 washes at C0."
To summarize:
✨ PFAS-free yet highly functional
Recently, technology has evolved, and there are an increasing number of products that offer similar water-repellent properties to conventional products without using PFAS.
For example, a treatment called "Durable Water Repellent (DWR) C0 type" has become capable of withstanding washing to a certain extent.
✅ What conditions are considered "high performance"?
Even if a product is PFAS-free, it is considered to be high performance if it meets the following requirements.
☘️Bonus
What does the "C" stand for in "C0", "C6", and "C8"?
The "C" in "C0" refers to the length of the carbon chain in the fluorine compound.
This represents the "number of carbon atoms" in the organic fluorine compound used in the water-repellent treatment.
⭕️ PFAS-free textile featured on ApparelX
At ApparelX , we have been receiving an increasing number of inquiries about PFAS-free textile.
To make it easier to search for "PFAS-free textile," we have created and displayed a collection tag called "PFAS-FREE."
We are continually adding products to this collection that are confirmed by the manufacturer to be PFAS-free.
Existing textile will also be added to the collection if a manufacturer sells out their stock of the PFAS version and switches completely to PFAS-free stock.
*Currently, depending on stock status/color/production lot, we may be partially transitioning to PFAS-free textile, but please note that in such cases, they are not yet included in the PFAS-free collection.
PFAS-free textile will have "C0 water-repellent" listed in the product name and specifications.
If you have any questions, or if the textile does not have the markings "C6" or "C0", please feel free to contact us using the link below the "Add to Cart" button on each product page and we will check with the manufacturer and get in touch.
*If you are shipping to California or New York in the US, there may be restrictions on ordering textile containing PFAS, so please check the laws and regulations of your state before purchasing.
A list of PFAS-free textile can be found at the link below.
🔴Summary
What did you think? I hope that this article has helped you become more familiar with PFAS.
As environmental and health considerations become increasingly important in the textile industry, each of us is being asked to pay attention to the choice of materials. It is not easy to balance functionality and environmental friendliness, but "making choices" is a step towards changing the future.
The restrictions on PFAS and the movement towards alternative materials are a major turning point for the textile industry. The use of PFAS-free textile that are both environmentally friendly and functional will likely become an essential option in the manufacture of products in the future.
We will continue to support apparel brands in creating safer and more secure products and provide reliable information and products.
In addition to the materials introduced here, ApparelX also carries a wide variety of other products. Please take a look.
