Number

184-EN

Section

General Section

Use

Abstract

Fluorocarbon and isocyanate containing mixtures have been used for many years as water repellent surface treatments of textiles and of other fibre-based materials. Today it is clear that many fluorocarbons (e.g. PFOA) degrade extremely slowly in nature and cause hormone disruption among many aquatic animals, whereas many isocyanates are toxics to humans. OC-aquasil™ presents an alternative surface treatment for applications where a high degree of repellence towards water and water-based soil is required, but without fluorocarbons or isocyanates.

Substituted substances

Alternative Substances

Reliability of information

Evidence of implementation: there is evidence that the solution was implemented and in use at time of publication

Reason substitution

CMR
vPvB
other toxic effects

Hazard Assessment

Many fluorocarbons and isocyanates traditionally used as water repellents can be associated with serious health risks. Regulation (EU) 2019/1021 restricts PFOS and PFOA in the EU. Substances to be substituted: Perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFO) a reproductive toxicant category 1B (CLP Regulation). It meets the criteria of the SDSC list (Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria). Pentadecafluorooctanoic acid a reproductive toxicant category 1B (CLP Regulation). It meets the criteria of the SDSC list (Substance Database according to SUBSPORTplus Screening Criteria). Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid is a substance of very high concern and is on the REACH candidate list for authorisation according to Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation). Perfluorohexane-1-sulfonic acid is a substance of very high concern and is on the REACH candidate list for authorisation under Article 59 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation). Tetramethylxylene diisocyanate (TMXD) is a substance of very high concern and is on the REACH restricted list under Article 73 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Diisocyanate-toluene is lethal is a substance of very high concern and is on the REACH Restriction List under Article 73 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Diphenylmethane-4,4'-diisocyanate is a substance of very high concern and is on the REACH Restriction List according to Article 73 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 (REACH Regulation). Isophorone diisocyanate is a substance of very high concern and is on the REACH Restriction List according to Article 73 of Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006. (REACH Regulation). Alternative substances: Organic silicon compounds and organic acid have no harmonised classification according to Annex VI of Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 (CLP Regulation). Note that a complete hazard assessment could not be performed for this substitution since SUBSPORTplus do not have access to the complete list of ingredients present in the alternative.

Description of Substitution

OC-aquasil™ is a fluorocarbon- and isocyanate-free water repellent treatment for textiles and for other fibre-based material such as solid wood, composite material and paper. The OC-aquasil™ treatment confers fibre-based material with excellent water repellent properties (according to ISO 4920) as well as providing a substantially increased resistance to water penetration (according to ISO 811) and to water-based soiling. These effects are highly durable and withstand repeated washing cycles (e.g. textile home laundering). OC-aquasil™ works well on material containing cellulosic-fibres (e.g. cotton, paper pulp and regenerated cellulose), certain synthetic fibres (e.g. polyester, elastane, and polyamide) and mixtures of cellulosic and synthetic fibres. OC-aquasil™ is composed of a water-based solution of organic silicon compounds and organic acid. OC-aquasil™ is completely free from bioaccumulative substances such as fluorocarbons and hazardous compounds such as isocyanates. These are substances frequently used in today´s water repellents. OC-aquasil™ is applied to the fibre-based material using conventional manufacturing processes so the substitution process is quite straight forward. Generally, the fibre-based material is impregnated with an OC-aquasil™ solution in a bath or using a padding machine. The fibre-based material is then dried at elevated temperatures. Other means of application, including coating and spraying, are possible.

Case/substitution evaluation

This substitution concerns the phase-out of fluorocarbons and isocyanates from their use as water repellents in textiles and other fibre based materials. Fluorocarbons and isocyanates have many undesirable properties, which is especially problematic since some of the textiles treated with these chemicals are worn close to the skin. This alternative does not contain fluorocarbons or isocyanates and is especially designed to be a safe and environmentally friendly alternative to these substances. A complete hazard assessment according to the SUBSPORTplus criteria could however not be performed due to lack of information about the complete ingredients of the product.

State of implementation

Full capacity

Date and place of implementation

March 2012, Sweden

Availability ofAlternative

On the market.

Producer/Provider

www.organoclick.com

Type of information supplier

Producer / distributor

Contact

www.organoclick.com

Further information

OC-aquasil Tex - water repellents for nonwoven & technical textiles

Product broschure OC-aquasil Tex

Date, reviewed

November 26, 2021