As innovation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology accelerates, the spotlight often falls on algorithms, processing speed, and data. But behind the scenes, a lesser-known technology is quietly enabling the infrastructure that powers AI — fluoropolymers. These high-performance materials are essential to the operation, reliability, and scalability of AI data centers. Without them, the very foundation of America’s AI industry would be at risk.
AI data centers are the heart of modern digital infrastructure, housing thousands of high-performance processors that run 24/7, generating immense heat and requiring sophisticated cooling and chemical handling systems. Fluoropolymer chemistries are uniquely suited to meet these demands, with few if any alternatives, and their continued use in AI technology will be essential to making the United States the artificial intelligence capital of the world.
First and foremost, AI’s computational power depends on semiconductors, and fluoropolymers are indispensable in their manufacture. Fluoropolymers’ chemical inertness and purity help ensure that chips are produced with minimal defects, enabling faster, more efficient AI processing. Fluoropolymers are applied to piping and fittings that carry aggressive, high-purity chemicals like hydrofluoric acid, which are used for etching and cleaning silicon wafers. Without them, semiconductor fabrication would face serious setbacks, threatening the supply of chips that power everything from AI models to smartphones to autonomous vehicles.
In addition, fluoropolymers play a pivotal role in supporting AI data centers in other ways:
- Advanced Cooling Systems – AI workloads produce significantly more heat than traditional computing tasks. To help prevent overheating and maintain performance, data centers increasingly rely on liquid cooling systems. Fluoropolymer tubing is used to transport cooling fluids through high-temperature, high-pressure environments. These materials help resist chemical degradation, prevent contamination, and maintain integrity under extended extreme conditions.
- Chemical Delivery and Purity – Fluoropolymers are chemically inert and highly pure, making them ideal for delivering corrosive cleaning agents, specialty fluids, and high-purity gases used in chip fabrication and system maintenance. Their enhanced resistance to contamination is critical for maintaining the performance and longevity of sensitive electronic components.
- Fire Suppression and Safety – With their low flammability and high thermal stability, fluoropolymers are used in situations where fire suppression is a key consideration. In high-density server environments, safety is paramount, and fluoropolymers help mitigate fire risks while improving long-term reliability.
Despite their critical role, fluoropolymers are under increasing regulatory scrutiny due to their association with PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). While there are concerns about the potential environmental and health risks associated with some PFAS compounds, fluoropolymers are high-molecular-weight, inert, and non-bioaccumulative. Yet, broad-based PFAS bans could ensnare fluoropolymers within their scope, threatening their availability.
In response, the fluoropolymer industry is advocating for science-based regulations that recognize the differences among PFAS chemistries and the critical differences in their chemical, safety, and risk profiles. Grouping all PFAS under one regulatory umbrella could lead to unnecessary bans on materials essential to national innovation and infrastructure, and America’s AI industry could face dire consequences:
- Supply chain disruptions in semiconductor manufacturing.
- Reduced cooling efficiency, leading to higher energy costs and lower data center performance.
- Increased fire risk and reduced safety in high-density computing environments.
- Loss of competitiveness in global AI innovation due to infrastructure limitations.
The fluoropolymer industry is committed to working with federal and state decisionmakers to develop regulations that protect human health and the environment while allowing for the many technological innovations these chemistries provide. However, industry will continue to argue for regulatory clarity that distinguishes fluoropolymers from the wider PFAS universe. Blanket bans or restrictions on all PFAS chemistries risk throwing out the very materials that make AI possible.
Fluoropolymers enable innovation. As America races to lead in AI, we must recognize the foundational role of fluoropolymers and ensure that regulations support both safety and progress. Without fluoropolymers, the future of AI could be slower, riskier, and increasingly led overseas.