The road to a PFAS-free future for Danish companies

PFAS have played a central role in industry for decades, but their harmful effects on human health and the environment make their phase-out both necessary and inevitable. Technological Outlook maps the use of PFAS among Danish companies, the main barriers to substitution, and the technological opportunities that can pave the way for a breakthrough. With targeted support, Denmark can become a frontrunner in developing PFAS-free solutions.

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Technological Outlook – The road to a PFAS-free future for Danish companies

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Key findings

Danish companies are in the midst of a challenging but necessary transition away from PFAS, driven by both health concerns and upcoming, stricter EU regulations. However, many companies still lack insight into where PFAS are found in their products and how they can be replaced without compromising quality or cost.

Three recommendations for the next steps

We recommend bringing together knowledge, advisory services, and testing facilities in a national platform to help businesses -especially small and medium-sized enterprises -identify, develop, and validate PFAS-free alternatives. Specifically, we recommend the following next steps:

1. Build knowledge – make it easy to take action

Danish companies need quick access to reliable information about where PFAS are used and which alternatives work in practice. We recommend establishing a national knowledge platform where businesses can access case studies, test results, and step-by-step guidance on PFAS substitution. Danish Technological Institute is ready to contribute with case studies, standards, and industry-specific advisory services.

2. Give companies the resources to develop alternatives

Small and medium-sized enterprises, in particular, cannot carry out substitution efforts on their own. A dedicated support programme can provide businesses with financial resources, access to testing facilities, and independent technical advice. This will enable more companies to develop, test, and validate PFAS-free materials without taking on excessive financial risk. We have extensive experience from collaborative innovation projects and can provide best practices based on real-world cases.

3. Increase transparency across value chains

Many companies unknowingly introduce PFAS through complex supply chains. Where manual traceability is no longer sufficient, new technologies, strong partnerships, and cross-sector learning offer promising solutions. AI-based tools can improve transparency, facilitate knowledge sharing, and strengthen collaboration across value chains. Together, these efforts can create collective solutions to a highly complex challenge while strengthening accountability, market demand, and long-term competitiveness.

Read the Executive Summary of the Technological Outlook

Danish Technological Institute advises businesses on PFAS

We are ready to help your business phase out PFAS and manage PFAS contamination without compromising operations, performance, or financial viability.

Why companies choose us
We combine experience, collaboration, and a strong international network to help businesses transition away from PFAS. We have worked with everyone from niche manufacturers to global corporations, delivering proven solutions that work in practice. As your trusted partner, we support you throughout the entire proces - from the initial assessment to implementation - helping you comply with regulations while strengthening your market position. With access to advanced laboratories, AI platforms, and an international network of experts, we can find solutions to even the most complex challenges.

Examples of solutions

PFAS-free coatings for electronics, plastics, and anti-fouling applications
PFAS-free bearings for demanding low-friction applications
Technologies for the efficient removal of PFAS from soil and water
Refrigeration and heat pump systems using natural, PFAS-free refrigerants
Mapping PFAS in construction materials
PFAS-free textile water repellents (currently under development)

Our services

PFAS mapping: Identification and prioritisation of PFAS sources across production, supply chains, and waste management.
Substitution support: Advice on alternative materials and replacement solutions to eliminate or minimise the use of PFAS in your products, including the identification of alternative suppliers.
Remediation technologies: Guidance on and testing of the most promising and effective technologies available for removing PFAS from water, soil, and industrial environments.
Advanced laboratory facilities: Test technological solutions on a small scale before making larger investments, ensuring robust validation and documentation.
Cross-industry PFAS specialists: Broad expertise in environmental science, chemistry, and process optimisation.
Innovation and development projects: Collaborative innovation projects focused on developing new methods and technologies for PFAS substitution and mitigation in construction, products, manufacturing processes, and remediation of PFAS contamination.

Discuss your challenge with us

Do you have a PFAS challenge that no one has solved yet? Get in touch. Share your challenge with us, and let us show you that there is almost always a solution.

Learn more about PFAS

What is Technological Outlook?

Technological Outlook is a series of reports from the Danish Technological Institute, each providing an overview of the latest developments within a technology field of importance to Denmark's future. The reports offer insights into key stakeholders, emerging trends, Denmark's current position, and recommendations for how these technologies can be successfully implemented across society.

Explore all Technological Outlook reports