Asked by ... Matthias Natusch

PFAS/PFCs are highly questionable from an environmental point of view. Is it possible to clean contaminated tank and silo facilities?

In fact, after inspecting PFAS/PFC-contaminated tank and silo facilities, some sprinkler companies advise demolition and new construction, as they are not in a position to carry out professional decontamination of the existing facilities. In most cases, this is not only technically incorrect, but also means a huge investment for the plant operator, which in our view is not necessary. My company, NT Service GmbH, has been an expert in the field of PFAS/PFC decontamination for more than ten years and has successfully completed over 200 projects. The team works in a highly professional manner and is familiar with all legal regulations and safety measures for people and the environment.

How is PFAS/PFC decontamination carried out effectively and sustainably?

The legal regulations are very strict due to the risks to the environment and human health and will become even stricter in the future. As a highly specialized company, we have developed a decontamination process that is unique in Germany. We not only remove PFAS/PFC residues in plants in accordance with the currently valid regulations. We go beyond this and provide plant operators with laboratory-supported residual contamination levels that are demonstrably below 0.5 µg/kg. In our opinion, this value corresponds to complete decontamination. Lower values would be technically possible, but are not economically viable.

What are the advantages for plant operators of PFAS/PFC decontamination by NT Service GmbH?

We agree an all-inclusive fixed price calculation with our customers with transparent costs and no hidden fees. We start with a qualified analysis procedure carried out by our specialists. We then work as a team to determine the best possible decontamination procedure for the individual system. As soon as our work is completed, the tank and silo system is approved for rapid commissioning. The customer receives comprehensive documentation from the expert with detailed information for operation and as proof to the authorities of successful decontamination. NT Service GmbH assumes responsibility for the work carried out and liability for environmentally sound execution.

Notes:

After the inspection by an independent electroplating expert, questions remain unanswered, e.g. regarding prices and the whereabouts of removed substances. The limit value of 0.5 µg/kg for equipment is also inadequate according to the latest EU proposals: an upper limit of 0.25 µg/kg is apparently planned for industrial products and processes.