Hyundai Motor Company aims to phase out PFAS use by 2029, positioning the South Korean automotive manufacturer ahead of anticipated tighter restrictions on the persistent chemicals.
The deadline makes Hyundai one of the clearest examples of an automotive company moving from PFAS monitoring to a timed substitution plan ahead of upcoming regulations, including the comprehensive PFAS restriction expected in the EU.
It also highlights the challenge vehicle manufacturers face in identifying where PFAS are used across complex supply chains while aiming to avoid disruption to production, regulatory approval and sales.
In its 30 June annual sustainability report, the company said it is working with raw material suppliers and parts manufacturers to identify and apply PFAS substitutes. It has also established a company-wide PFAS council, bringing together teams responsible for hazardous substance management, material development and product design.
Hyundai acknowledged the difficulty of eliminating PFAS from the automotive sector. "The sheer number of components in a modern vehicle means that phasing out PFAS is not a single material switch, but rather a complex, part-by-part process of identifying, validating and applying alternative substances across an extensive and multi-tiered supply chain," the company told Chemical Watch News & Insight.
Because identifying, testing and qualifying suitable alternatives can be time-consuming and costly, Hyundai said it is using a "risk-based prioritisation approach" and focusing first on vehicle models most likely to fall within the scope of anticipated regulations.
"Hyundai Motor Company supports international regulations, standards, and initiatives on hazardous substances, and has long operated on the principle of developing and applying substitute materials ahead of formal regulatory deadlines – not in response to them," it said.
Industry collaboration
The company said the pace of the industry’s transition away from PFAS will depend not only on individual manufacturers' readiness but also on the collective capacity of the entire supply chain.
"We believe that by proceeding with substitution where it is technically feasible, and by sharing the resulting experience and standards with the broader industry, Hyundai can make the most meaningful and credible contribution to driving that transition forward," it said.
Hyundai is not facing the challenge alone. Swedish electric car company Polestar previously said it intends to phase out PFAS from its fleet "as soon as possible", but said this would depend on alternatives becoming available through an industry-wide effort. The company said it remains reliant on the wider automotive sector to find suitable substitutes for applications where no viable alternatives are currently available.