Understanding PFAS: A Commitment to Water Quality and Sustainability

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” have become an urgent topic in 2024 as their persistence and widespread presence in the environment continue to raise health and environmental concerns. What’s happening in the world of PFAS, and how is Ovivo positioned to navigate it? Here’s a comprehensive look at PFAS, the regulatory landscape, and Ovivo’s latest innovations.

The PFAS Challenge: A Persistent Problem

PFAS chemicals were developed in the late 1930s and gained widespread commercial use by the 1950s due to their stability and resistance to breakdown. These attributes made them indispensable across industries, from aerospace and electronics to consumer products like stain-resistant carpets, nonstick cookware, firefighting foam, and food packaging. However, these same properties that made PFAS commercially valuable have also contributed to their proliferation in soil and water, posing serious health risks that have come to light recently.

In response to these risks, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) introduced a National Primary Drinking Water Regulation (NPDWR) in March 2024. This regulation establishes enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for six PFAS chemicals and designates two as hazardous substances under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). These actions require extensive infrastructure investments across various sectors, including water treatment plants and industrial facilities, to ensure compliance with new PFAS management standards.

Ovivo’s Holistic Approach to PFAS Treatment

Ovivo has adopted a forward-thinking approach to PFAS contamination, offering innovative and sustainable water treatment solutions that aim to remove PFAS from water and completely neutralize these contaminants. Through a mix of concentration, destruction, and polishing technologies, Ovivo’s PFAS Solutions help municipalities and industries achieve regulatory compliance while reducing long-term operating costs and legal liabilities.

Central to Ovivo’s philosophy is onsite PFAS destruction. Rather than merely transferring contaminants to other locations, Ovivo’s approach neutralizes PFAS at the source, ensuring a cleaner environment and minimizing future liabilities for operators.

Strategic Partnerships: A Collaborative Approach to Innovation

Ovivo’s PFAS solutions are strengthened by strategic acquisitions and partnerships with industry innovators E2metrix and Evocra.

E2metrix, a Canadian technology company specializing in electrochemical oxidation, joined forces with Ovivo to develop an onsite PFAS destruction system. With expertise in advanced, clean electro-technologies, E2metrix (acquired by Ovivo in February 2024) enables Ovivo to offer a robust electro-oxidation solution that ensures public health protection and provides clients with a reliable onsite treatment option.

Advancing this, Ovivo’s exclusive license agreement for the US and Canada with Australian-based Evocra in June 2024, integrates ozone foam fractionation technology into its portfolio, enhancing PFAS extraction from water with added flexibility for both municipal and industrial clients.

These collaborations underscore Ovivo’s commitment to sustainable innovation, driving its vision of a PFAS-free future.

Break Free From PFAS™: Ovivo’s Mission in Action

At WEFTEC24 Ovivo launched a rebranding of its PFAS destruction solutions, Olift™ and Obreak™.

Olift™: This continuous Foam Fractionation (FF) process, licensed from Evocra, uses air and ozone to efficiently extract PFAS from water, capturing and concentrating harmful compounds at the source.

Obreak™: Ovivo’s Electro-oxidation (EO) system, acquired from E2metrix, targets PFAS at the molecular level. With over a decade of experience in electrochemical treatment, E2metrix’s solution ensures that PFAS compounds are broken down, leaving no residual waste.

Together, Olift™ and Obreak™ provide a comprehensive, scalable solution that addresses even the most complex PFAS contamination challenges. This unified approach is a testament to Ovivo’s dedication to sustainability and effective water treatment solutions that don’t merely relocate contaminants but eliminate them.

Looking Ahead: Innovation and Expansion

Ovivo is prepared for an active and impactful 2025 as it continues to expand its PFAS treatment initiatives. Increased demand for PFAS treatment has spurred an upsurge in Ovivo’s pilot and bench-testing projects across municipal and industrial sectors.

To support this growth, Ovivo plans to expand manufacturing capacity, establish manufacturing capabilities in the United States, and build a US-based laboratory in 2025. These developments will enable Ovivo to continually innovate and provide sustainable PFAS solutions to its diverse client base.

A Sustainable Future with Ovivo

At Ovivo, sustainability drives every solution. By focusing on the destruction of PFAS rather than mere containment, Ovivo ensures a cleaner, healthier future for generations to come. As Ovivo continues to grow, it reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding our water resources, leading the industry in sustainable and effective PFAS treatment solutions.