Technological innovations target PFAS ‘forever chemical’ contamination

New technological advancements are emerging to combat the persistence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as ‘forever chemicals.’

Niber Technologies, a Singapore-registered company with roots in South Korea, is developing an industrial-scale platform for PFAS-free electrospun nanofiber membranes. This technology aims to provide high-performance alternatives for waterproof textiles as global regulations, such as the EU’s REACH restrictions and various US state laws, tighten. Niber has raised over $11 million from investors including TNB Aura and the Asian Development Bank to scale production, with facilities located in the Philippines.

In a separate development, researchers at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg have developed a magnetic method to remove PFAS from water. Using iron oxide nanoparticles coated with custom molecules, the method successfully captured 87 percent of PFAS from contaminated sources, including drinking water and river water. This magnetic approach allows the chemicals to be extracted without traditional filters or membranes, even in water containing salts and organic matter.