Data center operators are increasingly using PFAS ('forever chemicals') for cooling instead of water, driving major chemical producers like Chemours, Daikin, and Arkema to expand production. PFAS are highly resistant to degradation and persist in the environment and human blood, creating significant health and environmental costs that far exceed industry profits.
PFAS manufacturers are significantly expanding production to meet surging demand from the AI industry for semiconductor manufacturing and datacentre cooling systems, despite the chemicals' documented health and environmental risks. Campaign groups warn that increased production of these persistent 'forever chemicals' could undermine regulatory efforts to restrict PFAS in Europe, the UK, and the US, creating long-term public health and environmental liabilities.