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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.
A list of PFAS-free textile can be found at the link below.
What are PFAS?
PFAS is an abbreviation for Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances, a general term for organic fluorine compounds.
These chemicals have excellent heat, water, and oil resistance 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: Repels not only water, but also oil and dirt. Resistant to food spills and oil stains.
✅ Durability: Resistant to friction and washing, it is characterized by its long-lasting effectiveness.
✅ 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 Snowboarding wear (→ Resistant to natural elements such as rain, snow, and mud)
▶ Sportswear Running Jacket Training Wear (→ Sweat and stain resistant, can withstand washing)
▶ Interior goods Carpets Sofa upholstery Curtains (→ Prevents spills and stains)
▶ Daily miscellaneous goods Water-repellent bags and eco-bags Water-repellent aprons Waterproof sheets and mattress covers
🌍 But why is 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 worldwide 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 is PFAS-free and has water-repellent and stain-resistant properties while minimizing its impact on the environment and human body.
Recently, with the rise in awareness of sustainability, manufacturers have been actively developing and introducing these technologies.
✅ Eco-friendly, PFAS-free, biodegradable, and biocompatible.
✅ Made with ingredients that are considered to be highly safe and have low health risks, and comply with regulations in Europe (REACH) and the US (EPA).
✅ Water repellency is somewhat weakCompared to conventional PFAS textile(especially C8 treated), water and oil repellency may be slightly inferior, but it still performs well depending on the application.
🧵 Commonly used alternative technologies and materials
🌿 CO2 Water-Repellent Treatment: A PFAS-free treatment method. It primarily uses plant-derived and silicone-based ingredients. It provides water repellency but generally does not provide oil repellency.
🌿 Silicone-based processing: Silicone oil is used to impart water repellency. It is highly safe and has minimal impact on the human body and the environment. It also has a soft texture.
🌿 Made with natural ingredients like wax and vegetable oils, beeswax and castor oil. Often used by eco-conscious outdoor brands.
🔁 Usage examples (products using PFAS-free materials)
Eco-friendly 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 amount of water droplets that remain on the surface.
▼ Evaluation rank (5 levels)
Grade Water repellency level Condition guide
——————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Grade 5: Excellent - No wetness at all, water droplets roll
Grade 4: Excellent. A little water seeps in, but in droplets.
Level 3: Moderate Water seeps in and is partially damp
Grade 2 or below: Weak to no effect, obviously wet
*When new, a grade of 4 to 5 is considered high performance. If the fabric maintains a grade of 3 or higher even after 10 washes, it is often rated as having durable water repellency (DWR).
🌿 C0 Type Trends (PFAS Free)
The "C0 type" that does not use PFAS is less effective than conventional PFAS-containing products (C6 and C8).
▶When new: Water repellency level 4 to 5
After 5 to 10 washes: Often falls to around grade 3
In other words, it tends to have water-repellent properties but is somewhat 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:
Type Water repellency rank (when new) Maintenance after washing
—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
C8 (older PFAS) Class 5 Maintained Class 5 for a long time
C6 (current PFAS) Class 4-5 Maintain around class 4
C0 (PFAS-free) Grade 4-5 (may be reduced to Grade 3)
✨ 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 constitute "high performance"?
Even if a product is PFAS-free, it is considered high-performance if it meets the following requirements:
☘️Bonus
What does the "C" in "C0," "C6," and "C8" stand for?
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 compounds used in water-repellent treatments.
⭕️ 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 constantly 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 availability/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 back to you.
*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 you now feel a little closer to PFAS.
As environmental and health considerations become increasingly important in the textile industry, each of us is being asked to pay more attention to the materials we choose. It is not easy to balance functionality and environmental friendliness, but making the right choices is a step towards changing the future.
The restrictions on PFAS and the movement toward alternative materials represent 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 future product development.
We will continue to support apparel brands in creating safer and more secure products, and deliver reliable information and products.
In addition to the materials introduced here, ApparelX also carries a wide variety of other products. Please take a look.
