Check your subscription status, update your details and more. Forever chemicals are renowned for their durability and their non-stick properties, but they persist for years in the environment. An alternative inspired by plants doesn't have the same problem A plant-inspired waterproof coating could soon become a safer and more sustainable alternative to forever chemicals like the PTFE used in waterproof clothing.
Per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances, known as PFAS or forever chemicals, have proven both a blessing and a curse for modern society. Their manifold useful properties, which include having high heat resistance, while being both water- and greaseproof, inert and durable, have made them a staple of many consumer products, from cookware and clothing to medical tools and electrical insulation. More recently, concerns around their long-term persistence in the environment, and the resulting impacts on human health, have meant regulation has tightened substantially and scientists are now working to develop greener and cleaner alternatives.
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