Environmental Clean Technologies Ltd (ASX:ECT, OTC:ECTHF) has submitted performance data for its Rapid Electrothermal Mineralisation (REM) technology to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, positioning the process as a potential solution for the safe destruction and disposal of PFAS “forever chemicals”.
The submission was made in response to the EPA’s Interim Guidance on the destruction and disposal of PFAS, a consultation opportunity that opens only once every four years. ECT said its submission presents REM against the EPA’s Section 5 evaluation framework, including technology readiness, destruction efficacy, fluorine mass balance, byproduct safety and regulatory relevance.
REM has been tested on PFAS-contaminated soils, granular activated carbon (GAC) and ion-exchange resins, including GAC samples laden with aqueous film-forming foam supplied by the US Army Corps of Engineers.
Laboratory demonstrations have shown the technology’s applicability to real-world waste streams, with AFFF containing around 40 different types of PFAS.
In PFAS-contaminated soils, REM removed more than 99% of various PFAS while preserving key soil properties and converting fluorine into non-toxic calcium fluoride. On GAC and IX resins, the process achieved full fluorine mass balance, accounting for 96–99.9% of fluorine as inorganic fluoride, with more than 99.9% PFAS removal and no detectable volatile organic fluorides.
Why fluorine accountability matters
PFAS are highly persistent chemicals found in products including plastics, textiles, food packaging and firefighting foams. ECT noted that the chemicals can build up in soil and water and have been linked to serious health concerns, including cancers, immune system effects, fertility issues and organ damage.
A key issue for regulators is not only whether PFAS concentrations fall, but where the fluorine atoms end up after treatment.
ECT said REM had been designed and tested around this “fate of fluorine” requirement, with studies demonstrating full fluorine mass balance for PFAS captured on GAC and IX resins and high fluorine mineralisation in PFAS-contaminated soils.
“Well positioned” for regulatory requirements
ECT chief technology officer Justin Sharp said the EPA process was an important opportunity to present REM’s evidence on fluorine accountability.
“We welcome the opportunity to set out REM’s evidence on fully accounting for fluorine to the EPA through this public comment process. This ability will likely be the most important determining factor of PFAS destruction as regulations continue to rise over the coming decades.
“Proving not only that the carbon–fluorine bond in PFAS is broken, but where the fluorine ends up after destruction, is becoming central to how regulators evaluate PFAS treatment. In ECT’stesting, REM accounted for and mineralised essentially all of the fluorine released from the PFAS tested, predominantly as non-toxic calcium fluoride, with no volatile organic fluorides or other short-chain PFAS with even worse toxicity detected.
“We believe REM is well positioned to meet these requirements, with the potential to be deployed in situ for soil remediation or on-site for GAC and IX resin remediation at water treatment plants.”
Next steps toward commercialisation
ECT is procuring commercial samples of PFAS-laden soil and GAC for non-targeted analysis using its pilot system.
The work will support future regulatory validation by testing the method on commercial rather than synthetic samples, helping pave the way toward commercialisation.
About Environmental Clean Technologies
Environmental Clean Technologies is developing technologies aimed at addressing environmental and industrial challenges.
Its REM technology uses rapid electrical heating to treat contaminated soil or sorbents such as GAC and IX resin, converting PFAS-related fluorine into stable inorganic mineral forms rather than creating secondary waste streams.