PFAS, perfluorinated compounds and forever chemicals

What lies behind these terms?

In short, PFAS is the technical term, perfluorinated compounds are the most chemically stable form and forever chemicals is an accurate description of their lack of degradability. The terms describe a group of synthetically produced chemical compounds that are widely used in industry due to their extreme durability and versatility, but which pose significant environmental and health risks.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)

This is the scientific umbrella term for a group of substances comprising an estimated 10,000 different compounds. These consist of carbon chains where the hydrogen atoms have been partially or completely replaced by fluorine atoms. A key property is that PFAS are water, grease and dirt repellent as well as thermally and chemically stable.

Perfluorinated compounds

This compound is a specific subgroup within PFAS. In perfluorinated compounds, all available binding sites in the carbon chain are occupied by fluorine. These substances (such as PFOA or PFOS) are considered particularly stable and are often the end products into which other PFAS compounds break down in the environment.

Forever chemical

This is a metaphorical term that illustrates the central problem with these substances. The carbon-fluorine bond is one of the strongest bonds in organic chemistry. They are particularly durable. There is no natural process (light, bacteria, water) that can efficiently break this bond. Once released into the environment, they remain there for decades or centuries and accumulate in the food chain.

Since 12 January 2026, new, strict limits for drinking water (0.1 µg/L for the sum of 20 relevant PFAS) have been in force throughout the EU. In addition, far-reaching bans on the use of PFAS in textiles, food packaging and cosmetics will come into force in October 2026 to stop further entry into the environment.

Here you can find our PFAS removal solutions.