Japan’s Sekisui Chemical Co. (TSE: 4204) announced Thursday it has achieved a key milestone in developing PFAS-free piping materials for ultrapure water systems used in advanced semiconductor and flat panel display (FPD) manufacturing. The move comes as global regulatory pressure mounts against the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), which are increasingly associated with environmental and health risks.
The new solution, developed by Sekisui’s Urban Infrastructure & Environmental Products Company, uses a specially engineered olefin resin designed to replace traditional fluorocarbon-based materials such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and perfluoroalkoxy (PFA). These conventional materials are widely used in the semiconductor industry for their high chemical resistance and low contamination levels but fall under the broad PFAS category, now subject to increasing restrictions in Europe and North America.
“Global discussions around PFAS regulation are gaining momentum,” the company said in a statement. “Our new olefin-based pipe material offers a sustainable, PFAS-free alternative while meeting the ultra-clean standards required for next-generation chip manufacturing.”
The innovation was tested in partnership with Kurita Water Industries Ltd. in a demonstration launched in November 2022, using an actual ultrapure water system. Sekisui said the new olefin resin not only meets stringent performance requirements but also reduces carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 80% compared to existing fluoropolymer-based pipe materials.
Since launching its Eslon Clean Pipe in 1984—a hard PVC pipe for ultrapure water—Sekisui has maintained a significant presence in the semiconductor equipment materials sector. As semiconductor nodes shrink and process purity becomes increasingly critical, the demand for low-elution, non-reactive piping materials is growing rapidly.
While Japan has yet to regulate fluorocarbon resins like PVDF and PTFE, authorities in the European Union and the United States are pushing forward with proposals to regulate PFAS as a group, creating uncertainty for manufacturers relying on fluoropolymer-based systems.
Sekisui said it plans to formally propose the PFAS-free solution to customers and is targeting commercial rollout within fiscal 2026. The company also aims to expand development to other components in the ultrapure water system, including PFAS-free valves and gaskets.
The initiative is part of Sekisui’s broader ESG strategy under its “Products to Enhance Sustainability” platform, which aims to contribute to global environmental goals while supporting sustainable corporate growth.
“We are accelerating efforts to deliver solutions that address both social and environmental challenges,” the company added. “Our vision is to help realize a sustainable society through innovation.”
