Made without PFCs / PFAS

Patagonia is converting all of their durable water-repellent membranes and finishes to non-fluorinated alternatives by 2025.

Why?

Water repellency doesn’t just keep you comfortable, it keeps you alive. But for decades now, the coatings used in apparel to improve water-repellency have relied on per- or polyfluorinated chemicals, which contain fluorine and are most often referred to by their acronyms: PFCs, PFOAs or PFAS. This class of “forever chemicals” accumulates in air, water, food and even our bodies, and they raise serious health concerns, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

What’s the difference?

PFCs, PFAS, PFOS and PFOAs are different ways of conveying the same message: These acronyms refer to fluorinated chemicals with slightly different molecular structures and fairly similar functions. In the apparel industry, these acronyms are typically used interchangeably. At Patagonia, if your water-repellent finishes and membranes are made without PFCs, they’re also made without PFAS, PFOS and PFOAs.

What’s the difference?

PFCs, PFAS, PFOS and PFOAs are different ways of conveying the same message: These acronyms refer to fluorinated chemicals with slightly different molecular structures and fairly similar functions. In the apparel industry, these acronyms are typically used interchangeably. At Patagonia, if your water-repellent finishes and membranes are made without PFCs, they’re also made without PFAS, PFOS and PFOAs.

Where We Are

After more than a decade of effort, Patagonia has dramatically reduced the use of PFAS and PFCs across their product lines, but it’s been a struggle. Between 2013 and 2016, they were able to fully phase out the use of long-chain (or C8) fluorocarbon-based treatments in DWR (durable water repellent) finishes, guided by studies that demonstrated C8’s negative impacts on environmental and human health. Instead, they began using C6, a shorter-chain fluorocarbon that, at the time, was considered a less harmful chemistry. After our switch, new research emerged showing that C6 is just as detrimental to us and the environment. That’s when they decided to start working toward water-repellent finishes and membranes made without any PFAS or PFCs.

In Fall 2019, they launched their first products with DWR finishes made without PFAS or PFCs, and in 2021, we introduced the Men’s and Women’s Dual Aspect Jacket and Bibs, which eliminate perfluorinated chemicals from both the DWR coating as well as the water-repellent membrane.

In Spring 2024, about 96% of Patagonia’s materials by weight with water-repellent chemistries are made without PFAS.

(Making sure your waterproof and water-repellent gear stays that way means giving it the proper care it needs. Remember, a clean shell is a happy shell. Check out our product care guide for tips.)

What’s Next

After investing significant time and resources, they are in the process of making all of our membranes and water-repellent finishes without PFCs or PFAS by 2025.

Three US states (California, New York and Colorado) will soon have regulations that require the elimination of PFAS from clothing with very limited exceptions.

Patagonia will continue to work within a shared supply chain and encourage other apparel brands to utilize solutions we’ve vetted and adopted. This collaboration can enable large-scale changes and success in more products made without PFAS throughout the industry.