Toray launches PFAS-free flexible PPS
Last update on Feb 19, 2026
Toray Industries, Inc., announced that it has developed a high-performance flexible polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) resin offering outstanding flame retardancy and heat resistance. The company believes that this is the world’s first PPS resin to simultaneously deliver these capabilities. The material is free of per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), giving it a cost-reduction advantage over fluoropolymers.
Prospective applications include cooling pipes, fittings, fasteners, protective components, and electrical parts. It also contributes to reducing the number of parts and simplifying processes.
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Outstanding flame retardancy and heat resistance
The rapid proliferation of electrified vehicles and data centers has made components and electrical equipment parts considerably more sophisticated and diverse. While fluoropolymers have dominated the market to date, demand for alternative materials is surging to avoid risks associated with tightening PFAS regulations and commensurate raw materials procurement challenges.
A flexible PPS resin that Toray formulated with olefin elastomers has served in applications that harness its light weight and moldability. It has been technically challenging, however, to simultaneously deliver a flexibility, flame retardancy, and heat resistance comparable to that of fluorinated resins.
Still not sure if this is the right grade for you? See commercially available PFAS-free PPS grades!
Incorporates microstructure control technology
The new material thus incorporates Toray’s innovative NANOALLOY® microstructure control technology. It finely disperses a new flexible component within PPS polymer to replace elastomers. The material’s flame retardancy corresponds to the V-0 (Vertical Burn) classification of UL94. Global private safety company UL Solutions, Inc., created that highly regarded standard for safety of flammability of plastic materials for parts in devices and appliances testing. The material’s heat resistance and lightness greatly surpass the performance levels of conventional flexible PPS resins.
From January this year, Toray started supplying paid samples to customers for such applications as battery peripheral and semiconductor manufacturing equipment components. It will establish a mass production structure within fiscal 2026. While complying with PFAS regulations and enhancing functionality, Toray will deploy this advanced material, which is compatible with existing design technologies, across diverse applications demanding high temperatures and high reliability. These include cooling pipes and fasteners for electrified vehicles and data centers, peripheral components for batteries and inverters, and industrial piping and bundling components.
Toray is exhibiting its new resin at Highly functional Material Week in Nagoya which is from February 18 through 20.