Trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) has multiple applications.
It helps the pharmaceutical sector, as an intermediate in the synthesis of active ingredients, notably antivirals, anti-HIV therapies and anti-cancer therapies. It is also used as a raw material for crop protection. Solvay manufactured TFA at the Salindres site in France until September 2024 and produced TFA-related organics at the Bad Wimpfen site in Germany until early 2026. Solvay has stopped production of TFA and all of its derivatives across the Group since the beginning of 2026.
TFA differs from other substances in the PFAS family in several respects.
According to a definition established by the OECD*, TFA belongs to the family of PFAS substances, along with several thousand substances with different properties. TFA has been registered under the European Union’s REACH regulation with relevant hazard and risk assessments. Risk classifications for TFA are issued by scientific bodies which are then reviewed by the European Commission to build regulatory standards.
Scientific understanding of TFA is continually advancing.
For more than 160 years, Solvay has been adapting its processes and actions up to the highest known standards and regulations. While strongly believing that one should differentiate between the various types of PFAS on the basis of scientific considerations, and while clear benchmarks are not yet fully established and regulatory standards are still in the process of being defined, Solvay recognizes the emerging concerns around the PFAS issue.
Protecting the health and safety of our employees, neighboring communities, and the environment has always been part of our culture and our priority.
This commitment is reflected in our responsible manufacturing practices at all our sites, which include efficient production processes and continuous efforts to reduce the impact on the environment. We continually invest in the best available technologies to ensure responsible manufacturing and emission reduction and our operations are subject to strict regulatory oversight.
More information on the regulation of TFA
More information on our decision to stop production at Salindres (France)
More information on our production at Bad Wimpfen (Germany)
* OECD, 2021, Reconciling Terminology of the Universe of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances