Project partners: The Swedish Fortifications Agency , Aqua Catalytix AB
Grant: 350 ,000 SEK
Project Duration: November 30, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Contact: Marcus Grunerwald, Aqua Catalytix
Purpose and objectives
PFAS pose a serious environmental and health problem due to their persistent nature, and they accumulate in soil, air, water, and the human body over time. Recent research has linked PFAS to liver damage, a weakened immune system, hormonal disruptions, and an increased risk of cancer. The problem is that PFAS are very difficult to break down (destroy), which is a key consideration when discussing PFAS treatment. Current treatment methods, such as activated carbon, ion exchangers, and membranes, remove PFAS from water, but the PFAS do not disappear. Instead, further treatment is required to destroy the collected PFAS. Common destruction techniques, such as certain electrochemical, plasma, and thermal processes, aim to break down PFAS molecules so that they are converted into less harmful end products; however, this typically requires very high temperatures (high costs) and may also result in the formation of new harmful substances.
The Swedish Fortifications Agency faces the challenge of managing PFAS in wastewater from its facilities. Aqua Catalytix, a Swedish startup, has developed a more efficient process for destroying PFAS without the need for incineration. In this project, the partners will investigate whether this technology can be scaled up and optimized to assist the Swedish Fortifications Agency in its efforts to eliminate PFAS emissions from wastewater.
Expected impacts and results
The project is expected to determine whether a new technology for the sustainable destruction of PFAS can be scaled up and implemented/integrated into the Swedish Fortifications Agency’s operations. A plan will also be developed to optimize various treatment steps, assess costs, and explore the potential application of the concept in other industrial and societal sectors.
Planned approach and implementation
Small water samples will be collected from various facilities and analyzed by independent laboratories. The samples will be processed by Aqua Catalytix, and the results will form the basis for a design document regarding upscaling in a subsequent pilot project. At the same time, external stakeholders will be involved to determine whether the technology is relevant to them.
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Goals and tasks
- Thriving and healthy waters
- Prevent and reduce the spread of hazardous substances
