Hansol Paper announced on the 30th that "PFAS is not used in our paper straw products" in response to recent controversies over the use of harmful perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in waterproof coatings for paper straws.
Recently, foreign media including Germany's dpa news agency reported that Belgian researchers tested 39 eco-friendly straw brands distributed in their country for PFAS content and found PFAS in 27 brands (69%). They identified 18 types of PFAS. The researchers analyzed that the high detection rate of PFAS in paper straws may be due to the use of PFAS in waterproof coatings and similar applications.
PFAS, known as "forever chemicals," do not naturally decompose easily and are harmful to humans, animals, plants, and the environment. Countries around the world are competing to strengthen regulations on these substances. When the detection of PFAS in paper straws became known domestically, some opinions suggested returning to plastic straws. In response, a Hansol Paper official explained, "We have been aware of concerns about PFAS for several years" and added, "We do not use PFAS in the manufacturing processes of general paper, food-grade paper, or paper straws that we produce."
Hansol Paper uses a water-based acrylic coating that is harmless to humans for waterproofing paper straw products. In May, Hansol Paper received official test results from an accredited institution confirming that no PFAS was detected in the Terabas water-based coating applied to its paper straws, cups, and paper containers.
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