Chemours has, under conditions, until July 4, 2025, to reduce the discharge of the PFAS type tetrafluoropropanoic acid (TFPrA). Due to the imposed sanction of February 4 (opens in new window), Chemours has taken various steps to minimize the discharge into the sewer. The results of this are cautiously positive. The requested annual quantity of TFPrA has been reduced from 1,500 kg to 339 kg in 2025. From January 1, 2026, the requested annual quantity will be 67 kg. Chemours initially had until April 4, 2025, to cease the unauthorized discharge. The three additional months are necessary to test and further develop new purification techniques.
Investigation by Chemours
On February 4, 2025, DCMR Environmental Service Rijnmond, on behalf of the provincial government of South Holland, imposed a penalty under a fine (opens in new window) on Chemours due to the unauthorized discharge of TFPrA. Due to the imposed sanction, Chemours has taken various steps to minimize the discharge of TFPrA into the sewer. A production line has been halted, and new purification techniques have been tested. The initial results of this are cautiously positive. Due to the positive results and the reduced permit application, Chemours has requested an extension of the sanctions grace period by three months. These three months are needed to further investigate and optimize the new techniques.
Only under conditions
There is no acute environmental and health risk that necessitates immediate intervention. Therefore, in February, a penalty under a fine was chosen. This does not detract from the fact that we, as a province, continue to monitor this closely together with DCMR. Chemours must adhere to the following conditions:
- Chemours may discharge a maximum of 94 kg of TFPrA into the sewer during these three months. Additional monitoring obligations have been imposed. DCMR will oversee this.
- By July 5, Chemours must fully comply with the imposed penalty under a fine of February 4, 2025, unless the discharge as requested at that time can be legalized. In that case, it will no longer be considered a violation. The application will be assessed separately; it cannot and will not be anticipated.
- Chemours must share the monitoring data of the discharge with DCMR within four weeks after the period from April 4, 2025, to July 4, 2025.
If Chemours does not comply with the conditions, the extended grace period will be revoked. The penalty, as laid down in the penalty decision of February 4, will again be in force. In case of violations, Chemours must pay the penalty.
Assessment of the requested annual quantity
The permitability of the amended application is now being assessed by DCMR in close cooperation with the Rijkswaterstaat, taking into account the advice of the RIVM. DCMR expects to publish a draft decision on the application in June 2025.
What is TFPrA?
The official name is 2,3,3,3-Tetrafluoropropanoic acid (TFPrA). TFPrA is a short-chain PFAS compound. The substance is produced during manufacturing processes in the factory. The RIVM has a RPF of 0.01 for TFPrA. RPF stands for Relative Potency Factor and is a measure of the harmfulness of various PFAS compared to the reference substance PFOA. The harmfulness of 100 kg of TFPrA is assessed by the RIVM as comparable to that of 1 kg of PFOA. This means that the harmfulness compared to PFOA is a factor 100 lower.
Member GS letters to Provincial States
Deputy Stolk and Zevenbergen have informed the members of the Provincial States about the adjusted grace period. Read the member GS letter here. (opens in new window)
Read the member GS letter here (opens in new window) from deputies Stolk and Zevenbergen regarding the imposed penalty under a fine.