In a "milestone" development expected to make the production of flooring materials more environmentally friendly, DuPont says it has found a new way to produce Teflon used in carpet and other flooring products. The company said its new manufacturing process can remove nearly all perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from Teflon and other fluorotelomer-based products.

DuPont said the new approach is three years ahead of the timetable set by the EPA's voluntary stewardship program for product content. It describes the new items as "LX Platform Products" and says they are expected to be drop-in replacements for current DuPont products. Included is DuPont Teflon which is found in a range of stain resistant flooring products.

"World class science, superior performing products and a commitment to sustainability are the driving forces behind our new LX Platform Products," explained John Moriarty, global market and business director, DuPont Chemical Solutions Enterprise.

LX Platform Products are being launched in the first quarter of 2007 with a continued roll-out throughout the year. Prices are expected to be in the same range as current offerings.

DuPont says it invested about $20 million to develop the process which it described as a milestone in an effort to reduce PFOAs.