Shaw Industries (Shaw) has announced the development of a new testing methodology designed to accurately detect PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) in materials used in manufacturing. The innovation comes after the company discovered that existing testing protocols—primarily designed for drinking water—were failing to identify PFAS in soaps, oils, resins, and solid materials commonly used in industrial supply chains.
The methodology was created as part of Shaw’s ongoing efforts to ensure no PFAS are added to its manufacturing processes. Shaw ended its use of PFAS-based soil and stain repellents across all U.S. carpet manufacturing operations in January 2019 and required all third-party suppliers to provide PFAS-free materials. However, despite this strict policy, the company found that suppliers often were unaware their materials contained PFAS, prompting Shaw to develop a more reliable detection method.
Also Read: Top Carpet and Flooring Manufacturers in Egypt
Existing PFAS Tests Fell Short
“When materials we purchased were tested using existing drinking water protocols, they would show non-detect for PFAS,” said Kellie Ballew, Vice President of Environmental Affairs at Shaw. “What we discovered is that drinking water testing wasn’t accurate for soaps, oils, resins, and other solid materials—really anything other than drinking water. An adequate testing methodology didn’t exist, so we invented one.”
PFAS comprise a vast class of nearly 15,000 chemicals, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and are widely used in everyday products ranging from pizza boxes and cosmetics to dental floss and heat-resistant packaging. Their prevalence has made them one of the most challenging contaminants to identify and remove from modern supply chains.
Patent-Pending Testing Method Uncovers Hidden PFAS
Since filing a patent in December 2024, Shaw has used its new methodology to identify PFAS in numerous supplier materials that had previously shown “non-detect” results under traditional tests. Developed by Shaw scientist and technical director Clay Hampton, the breakthrough focuses on preparing and chemically treating samples so that PFAS—often bound or concealed within ingredients—can be accurately revealed.
Shaw Shares Innovation With Broader Industry
Shaw has spent the past year collaborating with suppliers and gathering feedback on the test’s usability and real-world performance. Given its success, the company is now proactively sharing the patent-pending methodology with other industries.
“This issue isn’t limited to carpet or even manufacturing,” Ballew said. “Until chemical manufacturers stop making PFAS or products containing PFAS, anyone looking to remove these chemistries from their operations or supply chains will have to be as diligent as we’ve been. I hope that by sharing our testing innovation, others don’t have to start from scratch like we did.”
Shaw’s development marks a major advancement in PFAS detection and underscores the growing momentum across industries to eliminate these persistent chemicals from products and production processes.
