The chemical lobby is fighting a possible EU ban on toxic perpetuating chemicals (PFAS). However, more and more companies are increasingly developing alternatives. Chemical and pharmaceutical company Merck, for example, is currently working on PFAS-free semiconductors. The French company Leclanché has succeeded in producing lithium-ion batteries without perpetual chemicals. And in the textile sector, outdoor equipment manufacturers Vaude and Patagonia are setting standards for PFAS-free products. A possible EU ban on substances classified as carcinogenic is likely to fuel the drive for innovation, as are fines in the billions. In the USA, for example, the conglomerate 3M had to pay USD 12.5 billion in 2023 for water pollution caused by PFAS – and in Belgium €571 million for contamination. In addition, a 3M plant in Bavaria is facing closure.