On November 4, 2025, California Governor Gavin Newsom made headlines by vetoing a bill that would have banned the use of PFAS—poly and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as "forever chemicals"—in cookware across the state. The decision, which comes amid growing public concern about the health and environmental risks associated with PFAS, has reignited debate over the future of these chemicals in both consumer goods and industrial applications.
PFAS have been used in the United States since the 1940s, finding their way into everything from clothing and food packaging to the nonstick cookware that lines millions of kitchen cabinets. The nickname "forever chemicals" isn’t just catchy; it reflects the stubborn persistence of these compounds, which fail to break down in the environment or the human body over time. According to the CDC’s Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, "epidemiological evidence suggests" that exposure to certain types of PFAS may increase the risk of health issues such as elevated cholesterol, changes in liver enzymes, and even kidney and testicular cancer, depending on the level and duration of exposure as well as individual factors. The agency notes, "At this time, scientists are still learning about the health effects of exposures to mixtures of different PFAS. Additional research may change our understanding of the relationship between exposure to PFAS and human health effects."
Despite these concerns, Governor Newsom explained his rationale for rejecting the bill in a public statement, emphasizing the potential impact on California consumers. He argued that the proposed legislation "would result in a sizable and rapid shift in cooking products available to Californians," and expressed that he was "deeply concerned" about how it might affect "the availability of affordable options in cooking products." The governor’s comments highlight a key tension in the PFAS debate: how to balance public health and environmental safety with the realities of consumer access and product affordability.
State Senator Benjamin Allen, who authored the bill, voiced his disappointment with the decision. In remarks to The Los Angeles Times, Allen said, "We know there are safer alternatives, [but] I understand there were strong voices on both sides on this topic." He added, "I'm hopeful we can continue working on a transition away from these dangerous products which already have safer alternatives at reasonable prices available on the market." Allen’s comments underscore a growing movement among lawmakers and advocates to phase out PFAS in favor of safer, more sustainable materials—an effort that is gaining traction not only in California but globally.
Scientific research has continued to shed light on the prevalence and risks of PFAS in everyday products. A study from the National Library of Medicine, which examined PFAS in items that come into contact with food, found that the highest concentrations were present in microwave popcorn bags and nonstick cookware. The study suggested this was "probably because they reach very high temperatures and are used for long periods." It also warned that "the aging kitchen utensils, intended for repeated use, should be considered when evaluating the migration of PFAS." The message is clear: while nonstick cookware offers undeniable convenience, it can become unsafe when overheated or when its surface is scratched repeatedly, potentially leading to the ingestion of chemical coatings.
As regulators and consumers grapple with the risks and realities of PFAS, industry players are racing to develop viable alternatives. On November 3, 2025, Envalior, a materials science company based in Düsseldorf, Germany, announced that it is offering PFAS-free solutions for high-wear and high-friction applications such as robot actuation. Envalior, formed in 2023 through the merger of Lanxess Performance Materials and DSM Engineering Materials, employs more than 4,000 people worldwide and is positioning itself as a leader in the quest for sustainable, high-performance materials.
Envalior’s flagship offering is its Stanyl polyamide 46 (PA46) portfolio, which the company claims provides superior fatigue and wear resistance, high impact and weld line strength, and excellent flow behavior for thin-walled designs. According to Envalior, Stanyl maintains outstanding stiffness and creep resistance at temperatures as high as 180°C, making it suitable for demanding applications in automotive, robotics, and household appliances. Adnan Hasanovic, a technical expert for tribological applications at Envalior, explained, "Our Stanyl portfolio offers customers many options to fulfill high performance characteristics while meeting legal and application-specific requirements. Stanyl is able to offer to manufacturers ductility, robust tribological performance and design freedom via extruded parts."
The company emphasized that as industries push the boundaries of performance, efficiency, and sustainability, "the choice of materials used in wear and friction applications is becoming more complex and critical." Stanyl PA46, with its high crystallinity, enables significant weight reduction—up to 40% less material usage compared to PPS and PPA—and can lower gear noise by up to 10 decibels relative to traditional metal gears. This not only improves the user experience in robotics and electric vehicles but also meets the noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) requirements of modern engineering.
Envalior’s solutions also address the needs of electric vehicles and advanced robotics, where lightweight, durable, and quiet components are in high demand. In electric vehicles, for instance, systems like electric power steering and brake boosters require actuators that are compact, reliable, and capable of operating at high temperatures over long periods. Stanyl compounds enable the design of high-speed bearings that can withstand rotational speeds up to 30,000 rpm while reducing deformation by about 20% compared to PA66. The material also resists chemical aging from automotive lubricants, offering a robust alternative to metals and other polymers.
To help manufacturers optimize material selection and reduce costly re-testing, Envalior provides advanced gear-testing capabilities and simulation tools, including mold flow and finite element analysis. The company’s MaterialAdvisor digital platform offers customers a suite of digital tools and services for finding, selecting, and evaluating materials, reflecting a broader shift toward data-driven decision-making in manufacturing.
While California’s legislative efforts to ban PFAS in cookware have stalled for now, the momentum toward safer, more sustainable alternatives is unmistakable. The combination of regulatory scrutiny, scientific research, and industry innovation is reshaping the landscape for materials science and public health. As companies like Envalior push forward with PFAS-free solutions, the debate in California and beyond is sure to continue—challenging policymakers, manufacturers, and consumers alike to weigh the costs and benefits of change in the kitchen, on the road, and in the world at large.
For now, the story of PFAS is one of competing interests, evolving science, and the relentless pursuit of safer, smarter solutions—reminding us that what’s in our cookware, and our cars, matters more than ever before.
