PFAS-Free Innovation: Why Manufacturers Shouldn't Wait

Researchers are developing a less risky material to replace “forever chemicals.”

As seen in Inc. Magazine

Scientific knowledge often runs years ahead of commercial products. PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, a group of man-made chemicals, prove this point. Despite well-documented health risks, these substances remain common in food packaging and cookware because safer alternatives have been slow to reach the market.

PFAS have come to be known as “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment and can accumulate in our bodies creating a great danger to our health. Yet they’ve been widely used in commercial products for decades due to their ability to resist heat, oil, water, and stains. 

Thankfully, new EPA drinking-water thresholds and global chemical bans are helping to progressively reduce this risk.  

This leaves the product development and manufacturing world with an interesting dilemma. Pivoting to a less risky material is not optional: It’s inevitable and strategic.

There’s a possible replacement for PFAS

Recent news from Northwestern University is raising the possibility of a replacement for PFAS. As reported by CBS News, two Northwestern researchers, Professor of Chemistry SonBinh Nguyen and Professor of Engineering Tim Wei, have developed a graphene-oxide solution that is water- and oil-resistant, and more compostable and recycling friendly than current paper plates or plastic utensils and cups. 

In short, the graphene creates a barrier when applied to paper and increases the strength of the paper or plastic material. The result is a patent-pending product now pending FDA studies.

That patent-pending product will be manufactured and distributed by GO-Eco, a subsidiary of my company, Chang Robotics, and a resident startup at Northwestern’s Querrey InQbation Lab. Dr. Wei is also chief scientist at Chang Robotics. 

The team’s long-term goal is to create a paper-based material that replaces food packaging currently used for produce and meat. The team also plans to create eco-safe paper bags and tableware. According to CBS News, the team has received funding from a major national tableware manufacturer and is in talks with several companies to begin pilot testing.

Lessons from Northwestern and GO-Eco

Entrepreneurs have much to learn from Dr. Nguyen and Dr. Wei and their research. The pipeline from university research to real-world products is robust and self-sustaining, regardless of shifts in public policy and government. Urgent health needs can drive faster innovation through increased investment from public and private manufacturers and firms. Similarly, the FDA can accelerate its processes when critical health and safety concerns require immediate attention. 

Business leaders should leverage the feedback loop from product development where each stage builds momentum for the next from lab testing to pilot programs, regulatory approvals and full commercial success. Companies that follow this methodical approach create a sustainable competitive advantage—they don’t just succeed once but build a system that generates repeated success and a competitive edge. 

GO-Eco’s proven success in packaging could create a ripple effect and lead to additional innovative uses in textiles, electronics, and water treatment plants.

Final thoughts

While future government policies may evolve, demonstrable paths from innovation to commercialization in the private sector provides great incentives for government to support commercialization pathways, to fund trials, to standardize safety metrics, and to incentivize the adoption of PFAS-free materials.

As a case study, the inception of GO-Eco and its path to commercialization is a story arc that can be repeated with any number of innovations. There is ample need and much room for many stories like GO-Eco. I welcome the chance to participate in many more of them in the development seasons to come.

As seen in Inc. Magazine

About Inc. Magazine:

Inc. Magazine is a premier business media brand dedicated to inspiring and informing entrepreneurs, business leaders, and innovators. Renowned for its focus on growth, leadership, and the stories behind successful companies, Inc. highlights transformative ideas and influential voices across industries. We’re excited to share that Chang Robotics’ founder, Matthew Chang, is now a contributing author, bringing insights on robotics, innovation, and purpose-driven leadership to their readership.