“C6C8 turn green”: PFAS-free textile finishes for outdoor fabrics

September 17, 2026

Researchers at the Saxon Textile Research Institute (STFI) and the Leibniz Institute for Polymer Research (IPF) have developed an environmentally friendly alternative to fluorinated textile finishes. The goal is to make outdoor and functional textiles water- and oil-repellent without resorting to environmentally harmful PFAS compounds.

This effort comes amid growing criticism of fluorinated finishes: These substances hardly degrade in the environment and can accumulate in soil, water, and organisms over the long term. As a result, regulatory requirements are becoming stricter, and the need for sustainable alternatives is increasing.

In the “C6C8 turn green” research project, new coating systems based on special silicon compounds were developed. The finish is applied to the textile in two steps and then thermally fixed. Tests on cotton fabrics demonstrated excellent water repellency as well as remarkable resistance to oil-containing liquids. The protective effect was largely maintained even after several wash and dry cycles.

The results demonstrate that high-performance and durable textile finishes are possible even without fluorinated chemicals. This opens up a promising path for the textile industry to reduce its environmental impact while simultaneously meeting high functional requirements.

Link:https://textile-network.de/de/Business/Oekologische-Alternative-zur-Fluorcarbonausruestung