On Thursday 26 September 2019, the OECD webinar discussed "Finding Alternatives to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances of Concern: A Difficult and Continuing Challenge" with the participation of W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. Presenters shared efforts, successes and challenges in eliminating per and polyfluorinated chemicals of environmental concern from the life cycle of consumer products.

1. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.

2. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Agenda
▪ Introduction to Gore
▪ PTFE transition from legacy polymerization processing aids
– PTFE overview
– Motivation
– Challenges
– Results
▪ Development of alternative water repellent textile coatings
– Overview of GORE-TEX laminates and consumer end uses
– Goal and Roadmap To Eliminate PFCs of Environmental Concern
– Background, challenges and results
▪ Conclusion

3. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
▪ Founded in 1958
▪ Approximately 10,500 Associates
▪ $3.7 billion in annual revenues
▪ Privately held
W. L. Gore & Associates
W. L. Gore & Associates
March 2018

4. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.W. L. Gore & Associates
March 2018
Technologyis at the heart
of what we do

5. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Commitment to Fitness for Use
Our Products:
• Do what we say they will do — the first time and every time
• Adhere to our standards of high quality and product integrity
• Are derived from a comprehensive understanding of our
customers’ needs and end-use applications
W. L. Gore & Associates
March 2018

6. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
W. L. Gore & Associates
Fabrics Division
Medical Products
Division
Performance
Solutions Division
Improving patient
outcomes with stent
graft technology
Advancing medicine with
ePTFE cardiovascular and soft
tissue repair patches
Reducing bleeding and
time to hemostasis through
GORE-TEX® Sutures
Treating more than 300,000
aortic aneurysm patients with
GORE® EXCLUDER® Devices
Partnering with clinicians,
more than 40 million
medical devices implanted
Safeguarding firefighters from
heat stress with
GORE-TEX® Moisture Barrier
Protecting soldiers
worldwide with
GORE-TEX® Fabrics
Combining durable
waterproofness with optimal
breathability in GORE-TEX®
SURROUND® Footwear
GORE-TEX products with our
GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY™
promise offers innovative
waterproof protection plus
breathability and windproofness
Keeping workers safe with the
lightest arc rated
GORE-TEX® PYRAD® Products
Improving the processing
and delivery of
pharmaceutical products
Enabling the exploration
of space for 50 years
Pioneering the use of ePTFE
for industrial filtration to
control emissions
Facilitating electrochemical
conversion of a fuel cell to
electrical energy with GORE-
SELECT® Membrane
Protecting portable
electronics, automotive
components and enclosures

7. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
PTFE Overview
Polytetrafluoroethylene has three types, each of these are different and used for
different purposes
▪ Fine Powder – a solid, white powder polymerized using a polymer
processing aid (PPA) which prior to 2015, was PFOA. This polymer is
used for extrusion on wire for electrical coatings, expanded membranes
for medical, industrial, and electronic products.
▪ Aqueous Dispersions – a suspension of PTFE particles in a water
based mixture. It is made through the same polymerization route as
Fine Powder and is used as a coating applied to articles for example
sheets and metal surfaces.
▪ Granular Powder - a solid, white powder made through a process
which is distinguished from the above as it is NOT made using a PPA.
Therefore this grade did not need any transition to an alternative. This
polymer usage is known as molding powder as it is used to make solid
shapes and cannot be used to make expanded PTFE articles.
Recognized as a Polymer of Low Concern
Ref. Henry, B. J., et al (2018), A critical review of the application of polymer of low concern and
regulatory criteria to fluoropolymers. Integr Environ Assess Manag, 14: 316-334.
doi:10.1002/ieam.4035

8. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Transition from PFOA for Fine Powder PTFE
▪ In 2006, US EPA Voluntary Stewardship Program invited eight manufacturers to reduce PFOA
emissions by 95% before 2010 and virtually eliminate them by 2015
▪ Gore was not a manufacturer of PTFE but participated as a processor as the significance of
this change impacted ALL products made by Gore
▪ The connection to Gore is the trace residual PPA present in the purchased PTFE which is
further reduced through Gore’s processing.
▪ This transition would be disruptive to the industry as over 50 years of experience and
optimization would be redeveloped for all PTFE fine powder grades

9. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s
Journey of Change and Challenges
Alternative oil/water repellency developments
begun (long chain to short chain )
Voluntarily implementation of environmental
controls and best practices for PFOA
Safety, Health & Environmental projects to assess effectiveness for industrial hygiene
and environmental controls
Product Stewardship reviews to ensure
safety for each alternative PPA trace residual
US EPA begins
investigating
PFCs
EPA begins PFOA
investigation
Core technology group initiates an Enterprise wide
project to support industry PTFE changes
Novel technology developments for
Consumer fabrics roadmap goals
EU Commission
publishes PFOA
restriction Annex XVII
1999 2003 2006
US EPA PFOA
Voluntary
Stewardship
Agreement
2014 2015 2017
US EPA PFOA
Voluntary
Stewardship
Deadline
Germany &
Norway propose
PFOA restriction
through REACh
2020
PFOA restriction Annex
XVII entry in to force
Commercialization of new
coatings for fabrics
Gore investments
Continuing monitoring of SHE to support
manufacturing/products

10. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Journey of Change and Challenges
▪ PTFE performance must match original, no change to
Gore’s product performance (mechanical & thermal
properties)
▪ Identify and develop new polymer testing techniques to
“fingerprint” performance of each PTFE grade purchased
▪ Gore insisted that there would be no increase in the trace
residual PPA
▪ Evaluate the engineering controls in place, and ensure they
are adequate for all new alternatives

11. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Transition Results
▪Transition was completed on time and without disruption
▪Hundreds of associates were directly involved in this project
which was one of the largest investments in Gore’s history for
supporting existing products
▪All products were transitioned over the ~ 9 years of PTFE
development and subsequent Gore process and product
verifications
▪One significant benefit to Gore was a greater understanding
of PTFE polymer processing that is being leveraged into new
product developments today

12. G o r e
f a b r i c s
D i v i s i o n

13. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
GORE-TEX LAMINATE CONSTRUCTION Durable Water Repellent
(DWR)

14. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. *https://www.gore-tex.com/support/guarantee-and-returns

15. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
c
CONSUMER END USE EXAMPLES FOR GORE‐TEX PRODUCTS
Products for General Outdoor end uses like ...
Products for Specialized Outdoor end uses like ...
Multi day
Trekking
Mountaineering Mountain
Running
Fishing MotorsportsAlpine
Touring
General
Hiking
Lift‐served ski &
snowboard
Exploration
Lifestyle
White tail
hunting
Camping Adventure
travel
Golf
Freeride

16. G O A L T O
E L I M I N A T E
P F C S O F
E N V I R O N M E N T A L
C O N C E R N

17. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
To be a PFC of Environmental Concern, a chemical must exhibit all of the following three
traits. If a chemical is not itself a PFCEC, it should nonetheless be considered a PFCEC if it is
shown to be a precursor to a PFCEC
DEFINITION OF PER/POLYFLUORINATED COMPOUNDS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONCERN
Trait Definition Reference
1. highly fluorinated Per‐fluorinated or poly‐fluorinated
organic substances
Buck 2011, Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in the Environment: Terminology,
Classification, and Origins
2. small enough to be
bioavailable
Capable of crossing a cell
membrane, molecular weight less
than 3,000 Daltons
De Mello WC., Ed., Cell‐to‐Cell Communication, Plenum Press, NY, 1987, p34; Beyer EC, Gap
Junctions. Inter. Rev. Cytol. 137, 1993 p2; Molecular Biology of the Cell, 3rd Ed., Alberts B, Bray D,
Lewis J et al., Garland Science, NY, 1994, pp 958, 963.
Data Analysis of the Identification of Correlations between Polymer Characteristics and Potential for
Health or Ecotoxicological Concern, OECD, Paris, 2009, pp. 9, 37.
3. persistent Half‐life > 2 months
(> 60 days) in water or soil
Derived from REACH persistence criteria for PBT and vPvB substances
*https://www.gore-tex.com/technology/responsibility/pfc-goal

18. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
In 2017 Gore set an ambitious goal to eliminate PFCs of Environmental Concern
from its consumer laminate shipments
KEY PFC GOALS:
By 2020 Gore Fabrics will eliminate PFCs of
Environmental Concern from the life cycle of its
consumer laminate shipments corresponding to
approximately 85% of product units in the market. This
includes jackets, shoes, gloves and accessories.
Between 2021 and 2023 Gore Fabrics will remove PFCs
of Environmental Concern from the remaining
consumer fabrics laminate shipments while continuing
to deliver products which meet the performance
specifications relevant for the end use.
*https://www.gore-tex.com/technology/responsibility/pfc-goal

19. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
GORE FABRICS’ GOAL MILESTONES
ELIMINATE PFCEC
FROM LAMINATES
THAT CORRELATE
WITH 85% OF
FINISHED
CONSUMER
PRODUCT UNITS
BY END OF 2020,
100% BY 2023
1
INTRODUCE
NEW, NON‐
FLUORINATED
DWR FOR
FALL/WINTER
2018
2
PRODUCT
LABELING THAT
ALLOWS
CONSUMERS TO
CONNECT GORE
FABRICS’
PROGRESS
3
ALTERNATIVE
MEMBRANE
MATERIALS
THAT ARE NOT
BASED ON
FLUORINATED
MATERIALS
5
PFCEC FREE
DWR FOR
TECHNICALLY
CHALLENGING
USES
6
PTFE
INCINERATION
STUDY*
TO EVALUATE
REPRESENTATIVE
MUNICIPAL
INCINERATION
CONDITIONS
7
NEW ePTFE
BARRIERS MADE
WITHOUT USING
PFCEC AS
POLYMERIZATION
AIDS
4
IMPLEMENTATION
OF A STANDARD
HAZARD
ASSESSMENT
APPROACH BY END
OF 2018
8
*Aleksandrov et al., Chemosphere 226 (2019) 898-906.

20. D e v e l o p i n g
a l t e r n a t i v e
D W R f o r
G O R E - T E X
P R O D U C T S

21. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Without DWR
• Shell textile wets
out
• Fabric weight
increases
• Breathability
decreases
• Insulation is lost
With DWR
• Visual water
beading
• Reduces water
weight gain
• Maintains
warmth
• Improves
comfort
“Avoiding wet-out can be a comfort issue, e.g. when cycling or walking to work,
but it can also be an essential protection in more extreme conditions, especially
when no shelter can be reached. Wet-out can cause significant cooling of the
wearer and under extreme conditions this can be life threatening.”
*Holmquist et al., Environment International 91 (2016) 251–264.
TEXTILE DWR FOR PERFORMANCE OUTERWEAR

22. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
DWR CRITERIA - DURING MATERIAL DEVELOPMENT
Repellency
Water
Oil
Repellency
Durability
Wash
durability
Field
performance
Comfort
Stiffness /
Hand
Breathability
Aesthetics
and “Quality”
Colorfastness
Shade
Changes
Product
Stewardship
3rd Party
Standards
OEKO-TEX®
STANDARD 100
BLUESIGN®
Hazard
Assessment
Life Cycle
Analysis
etc.

23. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
Long side-chain
fluorinated
polymers
Short side-chain
fluorinated
polymers
Non-fluorinated
polymers
alternatives
“C8”
“C6”
Polyurethanes
Acrylates
Silicones
Wax dispersions
Dendritic
materials
Hybrids
“C4”
DWR POLYMER MATERIALS
Gore Fabrics completed final
elimination from its functional
fabrics at the end of 2013
Various versions
(copolymers, particle size,
dispersion stabilization…)
…
S

24. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
GORE PROPRIETARY RAIN ROOM TEST METHOD
• Mimics real raindrop size distribution and
impact pressure
• Evaluates beading and water weight gain
• Incorporates multiple test modes
(initial, stressed state, regeneration)
• Has connection to field performance data
FIELD TRIALS
• Capability to place in environments
world wide
• Treated as experiments, and design
the level of control (intervals)
• Target end uses
• Statistically relevant samples to
allow generalization to a larger
population
• Significant hours of wear, 100s

25. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
LAB EVALUATION (AGGREGATED DATA) OF VARIOUS NON‐F BASED DWR POLYMERS
Gore short‐chain F
based polymer DWR
Higher PerformanceWide range of water repellency performance with non‐F materials
No oil rating performance for non‐F based DWRs (AATCC 118)

26. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE SET IN JANUARY 2017

27. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
2016 20172012 2013 2014 20182015 2019 2022‐2023
Initial landscape
investigation of Non‐
fluorinated DWR
polymers
First round
evaluation of
available Non‐
Fluorinated DWR
polymers
Formal focused
project initiated
Field Trial 1
comparing available
Non‐Fluorinated vs
SC‐Fluorinated DWR
polymers
Completed Field
Trial 1 and
benchmarked
available Non‐
Fluorinated
performance against
SC‐Fluorinated DWR
Second round
evaluation of new
non‐fluorinated
DWR polymers
Down‐selected
higher
performing
non‐F
polymers
Began General
Outdoor Field Trial
of higher
performing Non‐F
based DWR
polymers
Engagement with
Customers on 2018
portfolio
Customer
Engagement for
sampling and to
start developing
collections
Began validation
effort to evaluate
formulations,
process settings
for textile portfolio
Project initiated to
create DWR
strategy and
implementation
plan
General
Outdoor
field trial
completed
Formal “high”
performance DWR
Project initiated for
specialized uses
Learned of
garment
manufacturing and
quality concerns
ALTERNATIVE DWR DEVELOPMENT TIMELINE
A/W non‐F DWR
Product Launch in
General Outdoor
Segment
Goal Milestone for
alternative DWR
launch in
specialized (E+E)
uses
2nd General
Outdoor field trial
with improvements
started
Next round of
new material
evaluation
initiated
Gore Fabrics
completed
elimination of
PFOA from raw
material of its
functional fabrics
2nd General
Outdoor field
trial completed
Began field
trial for
Specialized
Outdoor
Trade Show
Introduction,
Completed
commercialization
effort
Completed field
trial for
Specialized
Outdoor

28. THANK YOU
GORE, GORE-TEX, Together, improving life and designs are trademarks of W. L. Gore & Associates. ©2019 W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.