Danvers-based Transene Company replaces toxic "forever chemicals" in Partnership with TURI
Exciting news for Massachusetts industry: Thanks to a multi-year partnership with the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI), over the past several months, Transene Company, a Danvers-based manufacturer of advanced materials for the electronics industry, is now offering safer solutions to customers that don’t contain toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
PFAS are harmful chemicals that are associated with numerous health risks, including cancer, liver damage, decreased fertility and increased risk of asthma and thyroid disease — and that never break down, leading to their moniker as “forever chemicals.”
Because of TURI’s research and innovative solution, designed specifically for Transene, their customers in industries such as radio frequency and microwave chips, lasers, photronics, aerospace and defense have switched to using the new, safer etching products without PFAS.
TURI staff and their research partners at UMass Lowell provided the resources and equipment to test various options that met Transene’s requirements, as well as a collaborative and innovative process that benefits companies like Transene.
“This collaboration accelerated our ability to manufacture and sell safer etching products, which helps companies in the electronics supply chain meet new regulatory requirements and protect health and the environment,” said Transene Company’s President Christopher Christuk.
Christuk turned to TURI more than a year ago for help finding viable alternatives to PFAS in manufacturing because PFAS have unique properties that can be difficult to replace. Success was achieved not only when the UMass Lowell-TURI research team found successful alternatives, but when Christuk and Transene Company quickly adopted the alternatives and started distributing the products to customers.
Now, in the second year of research, the team is researching alternatives that meet criteria for even more of Transene’s customers. While the results are still to be determined, this partnership is without a doubt creating a safer, healthier community.
About TURI: Established by the Massachusetts Toxics Use Reduction Act (TURA) of 1989, the Toxics Use Reduction Institute (TURI) at UMass Lowell helps businesses use safer alternatives to toxic chemicals, thereby preventing pollution and protecting public health. For more than 30 years, TURI has collaborated with companies, community organizations and partner government agencies to protect public health and the environment while simultaneously improving the competitiveness of businesses.
Learn more: www.turi.org/brochure