Societal Benefits of
Fluoropolymers and
Fluorotelomers
• In a single year, fluoropolymer use in fuel
hoses saves U.S. drivers $43 million in fuel
costs and cuts emissions of Volatile Organic
Chemicals by 83,000 tons. In Europe, fuel
savings come to €35.9 million annually.
Benefits Boost Auto Mileage, Clothing
Durability, Semiconductor and Cable
Performance and Firefighting Speed
Use of fluoropolymers and fluorotelomers
saves billions of dollars and make products
safer, more effective, longer lasting and
more environmentally friendly.
A new study commissioned by DuPont analyzed five industries that rely on fluoropolymers and fluorotelomers: automobiles,
semiconductor manufacturing, data
communication cables, firefighting foam
and apparel. Here are some of the findings:
Cutting Costs and Emissions:
Motor Vehicles
• Automotive use of fluoropolymers in high
temperature wire insulation and fuel hoses
saves U.S. consumers $214 million and European consumers €180 million over the lives
of their automobiles. Reduced air emissions
add an additional $120 million in U.S. savings and €86 million in European savings.
Making Microprocessor Chips Possible:
Semiconductors
• Fluoropolymers are essential to the
U.S./European semiconductor industry
and irreplaceable in the manufacture of
microprocessor chips used in personal
computers and other high-tech devices.
• The annual benefits to U.S./European
semiconductor makers amount to $30
billion and €10 billion respectively.
Protecting against Fire and Smoke:
Data Communications Cables
• Fluoropolymer-coated data communications cables cost $8.2 billion less than the
only current alternative that meets U.S.
building codes designed to protect against
the spread of fires and smoke. (Different
circumstances in Europe make this case not
relevant there).
Saving time and expense:
Stain-Resistant Clothing
• Stain-resistant garments protected by fluorotelomers last though 30 additional washings. This extended wearability saves U.S.
consumers more than $80 million a year and
European consumers €97 million a year just
in men’s knit shirts, dress shirts and pants.
Saving Lives and Property:
Firefighting Foam
• Firefighting would be less effective, more
costly in terms of resources and more
dangerous without fluorotelomer-based
foams, especially fires involving flammable
or combustible liquids. Even a very
conservative five percent increase in
damages resulting from use of inferior
firefighting foams would cost the U.S. $1.7
billion in loss of life and property.
• Not counting additional loss of life and
property, if foam made with fluorotelomers
were no longer available, it would cost
firefighters about $4.8 million more per year
in the U.S. and €5.2 million more in Europe
to use synthetic fluorine-free foam instead.
If protein-based foam were the alternative,
U.S. costs would go up $24 million per year
and European costs €25.9 million.
About the Study:
The 2006 study of the benefits of fluoropolymer and fluorotelomer use in five industries
was done by NERA Economic Consulting, an
internationally recognized firm specializing
in regulatory, industrial and public policy
economics. It was reviewed by Dr. James
Hammitt of the Harvard University School of
Public Health.
The study was funded by DuPont, the
nation’s leading maker of fluoropolymer
and fluorotelomer products.
DuPont is a science-based products and
services company. Founded in 1802, DuPont
puts science to work by creating sustainable
solutions essential to a better, safer,
healthier life for people everywhere.
Operating in more than 70 countries, DuPont
offers a wide range of innovative products
and services for markets including agriculture and food, building and construction,
communications and transportation.
For more information, please go to:
www.pfoa.dupont.com.
Societal Benefits of
Fluoropolymers
and
Fluorotelomers