Regulations are tightening around PFAS and 3M’s Novec™ chemistries have been phased out. Manufacturers must work to secure stable and long-term solutions for precision cleaning, vapor degreasing, and thermal management. This impacts budget, production lines, supply chain stability, and validation protocols.
In our recent webinar, the Chemtronics and Techspray teams broke down what today’s PFAS landscape really means for critical environments, and how to move forward.
Below are the key takeaways.
PFAS Regulations Are Changing the Solvent Market
PFAS materials have been widely adopted because of their low surface tension, thermal stability, and overall inert performance profile. These properties are why they are prevalent in vapor degreasing, precision cleaning, and carrier-fluid applications.
But as our team explained during the webinar, the term “PFAS” is often misunderstood. Not every PFAS behaves like a “forever chemical.” The compounds of greatest concern, such as PFOA and PFOS, are the ones that bioaccumulate and persist in the environment. Many HFE/HFO materials historically used in Novec™ formulations fall outside that high-risk category.
Still, 3M’s voluntary exit from PFAS production created immediate supply-chain disruption. Major discontinuations began in early 2025, and many organizations have spent the past year evaluating alternatives.
Three Practical Approaches to Replacing 3M Novec™
During the session, our team outlined three common replacement paths:
1. Direct Drop-In Replacements
For companies that want to avoid requalification entirely, this is the most direct path. Chemtronics and Techspray now offer equivalents for Novec™ Replacements: 7100, 7200, 7300, 649, and 1230, validated through gas chromatography and manufactured in ISO 5 cleanroom environments. These ultra-pure versions contain extremely low metals and NVR.
2. Functional Replacements
These chemistries are not molecule-for-molecule matches but deliver equivalent or improved performance at a lower cost. Examples include:
- 3400 & 3410 – Higher cleaning strength; not plastic-safe.
- 3810 & 3820 – Gentle or blended-fluorinated options for rinsing or specific solvency profiles.
Our lab teams support our customers through materials compatibility testing, cleanliness studies, process optimization, and qualification.
3. Next-Generation PFAS-Free Chemistries
This is where the industry is heading.
Techspray’s Precision-V™ line was engineered to deliver Novec™-level performance without introducing PFAS materials under the EPA TSCA 8(a)(7) definition. These formulations rely entirely on U.S.-sourced ingredients to strengthen supply-chain stability.
Key options include:
- Precision-V 3900 – Near drop-in for 7100, low GWP (~8), excellent thermal stability.
- Precision-V 3910 – Stronger cleaning action with an even lower GWP.
- Precision-V 3900DA – Enhanced solvency via alcohol components; currently in beta.
These products eliminate PFAS-related regulatory risk and deliver modern cleaning performance.
Beyond Solvents: Water-Based and Vacuum-Degreasing Options
Chemtronics and Techspray also support solvent alternatives for organizations pursuing long-term equipment or process updates.
Water-Based Cleaning
Two options were highlighted:
- Alkaline formulation – Broad materials compatibility; suitable for inline or batch systems.
- Neutral-pH formulation – Engineered from the molecule up, allowing removal of difficult flux residues (such as Indium 8.9HF) even on dense or low-standoff assemblies. Produces bright solder joints and supports multi-pass cleaning.
Vacuum Degreasing
Vacuum systems use hydrocarbons, modified alcohols, or ketones with high solvency and no flammability concerns. Chemistries for these systems are in the final stages of development, and our team is actively partnering with customers on challenging flux-removal applications.
Addressing a Common Challenge: Krytox® Removal
During the Q&A session, attendees asked about Krytox®, one of the most difficult lubricants to remove. Our highly fluorinated solvents and ultra-clean formulations have shown strong results across multiple Krytox® grades and contamination types. Lab testing is available for specific applications.
Learn more about our Krytox® removal capabilities here.
Avoiding the Industry’s “Toxic Four”
While some users are searching for simple, single-component replacements, our team reiterated why options like nPB, TCE, methylene chloride, and Perc should not be considered. Each faces strict regulatory deadlines and significant worker-safety challenges; returning to them just introduces more risk.
Read more here.
Future-Proofing Precision Cleaning
Whether you need a direct drop-in, improved functional equivalent, or a complete PFAS-free cleaning platform, Chemtronics and Techspray now offer a full suite of solutions to navigate this post-3M environment.
Our approach brings together:
- Regulatory expertise
- Global lab support
- Ultra-pure and high-stability solvent production
- Next-generation molecular design
These capabilities position us as a long-term partner for critical cleaning and thermal management challenges. If your team is evaluating PFAS-free transitions or requires qualification support, our technical and regulatory specialists are here to help.
Key Takeaways
1. PFAS Regulations Are Reshaping the Solvent Market
- Not all PFAS are “forever chemicals,” but regulatory scrutiny is broadening.
- 3M’s exit has created immediate supply and qualification challenges.
- Long-term compliance and supply stability must now be part of solvent selection decisions.
2. Three Replacement Paths Are Available
Direct Drop-In Replacements
- Validated equivalents for 7100, 7200, 7300, 649, and 1230
- Gas chromatography verified
- Manufactured in ISO 5 cleanrooms
- Ultra-low metals and NVR for semiconductor, aerospace, and medical applications
Functional Replacements
- Performance-matched or improved alternatives
- Often lower cost
- Supported by lab testing for compatibility and qualification
Next-Generation PFAS-Free Chemistries
- Engineered to avoid PFAS under EPA TSCA 8(a)(7)
- U.S.-sourced ingredients for supply-chain stability
- Low GWP options
- Designed to maintain Novec™-level performance
3. Alternative Cleaning Platforms Are Advancing
Water-Based Cleaning
- Alkaline and neutral-pH options
- Capable of removing difficult flux residues
- Suitable for inline or batch systems
Vacuum Degreasing
- Enables high-solvency chemistries without flammability concerns
- Supports hydrocarbons, modified alcohols, and ketones
4. Krytox® Removal Requires Specialized Chemistry
- Highly fluorinated and ultra-clean solvents show strong results
- Lab validation is recommended for specific grades and contamination profiles
5. Avoid the “Toxic Four”
nPB, TCE, methylene chloride, and Perc face tightening regulations and worker-safety concerns. Returning to these solvents increases risk rather than reducing it.
6. Future-Proofing Requires More Than a Product Swap
- Regulatory expertise
- Lab validation and compatibility testing
- Ultra-pure manufacturing
- Long-term supply-chain stability
- Molecular-level formulation design
FAQs
Start with:
- Application requirements (materials compatibility, residue type)
- Regulatory exposure
- Requalification constraints
- Supply-chain stability
- Environmental targets (GWP, sustainability goals)
Technical lab testing and regulatory consultation are recommended before full implementation.
Navigating the Transition Away from Novec™
With 3M’s phase-out of Novec™ PFAS chemistries and regulations that continue to evolve, manufacturers are under pressure to secure the most reliable and high-performance alternatives for precision cleaning, vapor degreasing, and thermal management. In our recent webinar, industry experts clarified what the shifting PFAS landscape means for critical environments and outlined practical pathways forward.
The team presented three primary replacement strategies: direct drop-in equivalents, functional alternatives with performance or cost advantages, and next-generation PFAS-free chemistries. Broader process shifts such as water-based systems and vacuum degreasing were also discussed.
Chemtronics and Techspray now offer a full portfolio of ultra-pure solvents and next-generation cleaning technologies to help manufacturers future-proof their precision cleaning processes.
