PFAS-free alternatives for sustainable applications: Sector-specific solutions and global perspectives

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have long been valued for their chemical stability, hydrophobicity, oleophobicity, and thermal resistance, supporting applications in firefighting foams, textiles, food packaging, medical devices, electronics, and industrial surfactants. However, growing evidence of environmental persistence and health risks has prompted regulatory restrictions and a shift toward PFAS-free alternatives. This review assesses PFAS-free substitutes across key sectors, examining their chemical and functional mechanisms, performance trade-offs, safety profiles, and market readiness. Fluorine-free foams, silicone and hydrocarbon-based textile coatings, biobased and synthetic polymer food packaging, alkyl polyglucosides and silicone surfactants, plant-derived cosmetic emollients, hydrophilic and zwitterionic polymers for medical devices, and PFAS-free photoresists are examined for their efficacy and sustainability potential. To situate these developments within a broader socio-environmental context, a Driving forces-Pressures-State-Impacts-Responses (DPSIR)-based framework is applied to assess sectoral substitution urgency. A comparative ranking indicates very high urgency for firefighting foams and food packaging, high urgency for textiles and industrial surfactants, moderate-high urgency for cosmetics and personal care products, moderate urgency for electronics and semiconductors, and moderate/targeted urgency for medical devices. Sensitivity analysis under alternative weighting scenarios confirms complete stability of sectoral rankings, demonstrating robustness of the prioritisation framework. Regional adoption patterns, regulatory drivers, and implementation barriers, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, are discussed, emphasising the need for harmonised standards, knowledge-sharing, and innovation support. Overall, while PFAS-free alternatives exhibit application-dependent functional viability, trade-offs in durability, chemical resistance, and operational efficiency remain, underscoring opportunities for continued materials innovation toward reducing reliance on PFAS.