C0 DWR (PFAS-free)
Also known as: PFC-free DWR, Fluorine-free DWR, BIONIC-FINISH ECO
Water-repellent finish without fluorine chemistry — based on silicones, waxes, polyurethanes or dendrimers. Eco-friendly alternative to C6/C8 DWR.
Description
C0 DWR (also called fluorine-free, PFC-free, PFAS-free) is the current answer of the textile industry to REACH and POP restrictions on perfluorinated compounds. The 0 stands for zero fluorine-carbon bonds. Chemically silicones (polydimethylsiloxane), paraffin wax dispersions, polyurethane emulsions or hyperbranched dendrimers (Rudolf BIONIC-FINISH ECO) are used.
The effect is no longer based on perfluoro-typical low surface energy but on nanostructures and wax crystals imitating the lotus effect. Water droplets bead off just as well as with C6/C8, but there is no oil repellency — oil, grease and sweat penetrate and can reduce function more quickly.
Wash resistance is usually lower than with C6 (typically 10-20 washes at 40 degrees) but can be well rebuilt by regular reactivation with fluorine-free aftertreatments (Grangers Performance Repel Plus, Nikwax TX.Direct). Bluesign, GRS and many eco certificates have since 2022 explicitly demanded fluorine-free water repellency.
Properties
| Chemistry | Silicone, paraffin wax, PU or dendrimer |
|---|---|
| Effect | Water repellent yes, oil repellent no |
| Environmental profile | PFAS-free, Bluesign and GRS compliant |
| Durability | 10-20 washes, reactivable |
Related product categories
Sources & references
2- Wikipedia: Durable water repellent Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Durable_water_repellent
- Wikipedia: Perfluorooctanoic acid Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perfluorooctanoic_acid
