NRW Environment Minister Oliver Krischer visited Cornelsen Umwelttechnologie GmbH in Essen to discuss the future challenges of eliminating perfluorinated and polyfluorinated alkyl compounds (PFAS) and the PerfluorAd treatment technology.
Fraunhofer UMSICHT, the (co-)inventor of the technology and Cornelsen's research partner, was also present. The company and the institute have been researching per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) since 2008 and are working on their removal from contaminated groundwater, leachate and industrial wastewater. Together, they developed the patented PerfluorAd process, which can be used to remove PFAS from extinguishing water effectively and cost-effectively. The PFAS-containing foam or water residues remaining at the site of the fire are collected directly, e.g. in special extinguishing water collection basins at industrial plants. The subsequent treatment and decontamination can be carried out on site or externally, depending on the circumstances.
The PerfluorAd process can be combined with various PFAS treatment technologies such as ion exchange, membrane processes or activated carbon adsorption. While Cornelsen is responsible for the process engineering implementation, Fraunhofer UMSICHT has contributed to the success of the PerfluorAd process in the areas of analytics, chemistry and IP. An impending ban and possible exemptions as well as the classification of waste and also funding programs were discussed. It was also proposed to bring (NRW) companies to a round table that are not yet aware that their products contain PFAS or that have not yet been sufficiently informed about alternatives.
