Thought Leader Interview: How Milliken eliminated PFAS from its operations with Jeff Strahan, Director of Research Compliance and Sustainability

In the latest installment of IRI's Sustainability Thought Leader series, we chat with Jeff Strahan, the Director of Research Compliance and Sustainability at Milliken and Company. Strahan provides an intriguing insight into his personal journey in sustainability, the difficulties and opportunities in dealing with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), and Milliken's assertive approach to sustainable development.

Strahan shares his experience of discovering potential challenges PFAS could pose for Milliken in 2019 and the steps he took to understand the problem at its core. He tackles the regulatory obstacles posed by PFAS and how Milliken responded by integrating customer demands with the company's values.

We gain insight into how he managed to align the company leadership with the necessary changes, highlighting the role of effective communication and understanding regulatory demands. Strahan also underscores the importance of proactive supply chain management amidst changing regulations.

In a deeper dive into the implications of PFAS omission in the textile industry, Strahan discusses the technical difficulties, varying impacts of PFAS replacements, and the role of fluorine as a water-repellent agent. He also tells the story of Milliken's massive R&D efforts in an attempt to eliminate PFAS usage.

Despite noteworthy strides in PFAS replacement, the episode explores prevalent industry challenges, like developing a textile that can repel oil while meeting exacting textile standards. The episode also sheds light on the various analytical techniques used in PFAS detection and their respective limitations.

Wrapping up the episode, Strahan discusses the business strategies Milliken had to adopt to cope with the decision to sever relationships with customers still using PFAS. The episode offers invaluable learning about Milliken's dedication to sustainability and presents an insightful roadmap for businesses setting forth on similar paths.