Environmental groups challenge a decree allowing a new chemical process at Daikin's plant in France, citing risks from PFAS and lack of proper safety assessments.
Legal challenge filed against Daikin's new process
A legal challenge has been launched against a prefectural decree that authorizes a new production process at the Daikin Chemical France site in Oullins-Pierre-Bénite, a part of the Chemistry Valley region. The challenge was filed on September 28 by several environmental and public interest associations, with the support of the PFAS against Earth collective.Associations argue for lack of environmental study
The applicants seek to annul the decree, arguing that the prefecture approved the new process without conducting an environmental impact study. They claim this omission undermines the proper assessment of potential risks to public health and the environment.New process involves flammable PFAS gas
The new process involves the use of R-1234YF, a flammable gas that belongs to the PFAS family. The associations highlight the risk of a violent and explosive vaporization of a liquid, known as the BLEVE phenomenon, and reference research showing that R-1234YF degrades into TFA, a persistent PFAS molecule linked to concerns about drinking water contamination and reproductive toxicity.Criticism of the prefecture's risk assessment
Jeanne Fleury, president of Notre Affaire à Tous - Lyon, criticized the prefecture for not applying the precautionary principle in light of the risks associated with PFAS. She emphasized the need for proper risk assessment to inform protective measures for the local population.Contested interpretation of affected areas
The associations also cited a passage in the decree acknowledging "two new dangerous phenomena capable of producing significant effects outside the Oullins-Pierre-Bénite platform." However, the decree specifies that affected areas would remain within zones already exposed to dangerous phenomena, and that no new population would be impacted. This formulation is contested by Lucas Miguel from the PFAS against Earth collective, who questions whether the authorities' vigilance would be relative if the project only exposed populations already well-exposed to industrial risks.Previous authorization led to legal action
The associations also reference a previous authorization granted to Daikin in February 2024, which allowed the operation of a new production unit using BPAF. At that time, the associations filed a reference case with the Lyon administrative court, which suspended the project due to the site's location in a densely populated area already heavily exposed to historical PFAS emissions.Meeting with Daikin was deemed unconsultative
Opponents also note that they were invited in July 2026 by the president of Daikin Chemical France for a meeting. The PFAS against Earth collective participated, aiming to address environmental health, occupational health, and employment protection issues. However, they found the meeting to be more "informative" than consultative.New appeal seeks annulment of decree
With this new appeal before the Lyon administrative court of appeal, the associations now seek the annulment of the prefectural decree authorizing the new production process at the Daikin site.
