LIFE+ Programme project MIDWOR-LIFE aims to mitigate the environmental impact of DWOR products used in the textile industry to give fabrics repellence properties against water and oil. Many conventional products are considered harmful to the environment and human health. The project will demonstrate non-harmful alternatives to encourage substitution.

1. Durable Water and Oil Repellents (DWORs) are textile finishing
products mainly made of long chain fluorocarbon polymers
(perfluorochemicals) to provide fabrics with hydrophobic and/or
oleophobic properties. Main applications of fabrics offering
repellence to water and oils are in upholstery or clothing.
Main perfluorochemials are perfluorooctane
sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic
acid (PFOA). Being highly toxic, both of them
are dangerous for human health.
WHAT IS THE
DWOR ISSUE?
PFOS AND PFOA1
DWORs based on C8 (long-chain fluorocarbons)
are considered as persistant, bioaccumulative
and toxic substances and have been detected
around the world in the food chain, drinking
water, animals and human blood.
PERSISTANCE AND
BIOACCUMULATION
2
Many perfluorochemicals have already
been listed in different European
regulations to put emphasis on their risk
for humans and the environment
Alternative DWOR products are currently
proposed by different chemical companies
for textile applications. However, the
toxicity and environmental impact of these
alternatives is still unknown.
WWW.MIDWOR-LIFE.EU
ALTERNATIVES
SUBSTITUTION
MIDWOR-LIFE DEMOSTRATES DWOR
ALTERNATIVES USED BY THE TEXTILE
INDUSTRY TO ENCOURAGE
SUBSTITUTION
3
4
MIDWOR­LIFE is co­funded by the European Community under the LIFE+ Financial Instrument
within the axe Environment Policy and Governance and under the Grant Agreement nº. LIFE14 ENV/ES/000670.