Modular approaches for the elimination of short- and ultra-short-chain PFAS in industrial wastewater
Innovation Pitch
2026-05-27 | 05:40 PM - 05:55 PM | The Innovation Corner
Abstract
Among the broad class of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), short- and ultra-short-chain compounds pose a growing challenge for pharmaceutical manufacturing sites. Conventional water treatment techniques are ill-suited. The compounds’ small molecular size, high mobility, and weak sorption affinity limit the effectiveness of widely-adopted techniques such as activated carbon and ion exchange. As regulatory attention expands beyond legacy long-chains such as PFOS and PFOA, these shorter compounds are creating a growing compliance and exposure gap for industrial operators.
This session will examine the properties that make short- and ultra-short-chain PFAS difficult to treat in industrial wastewater, and the operational, regulatory, and environmental implications for sites under tightening discharge expectations. We will demonstrate a modular treatment approach that integrates separation and advanced photochemical reduction to address short and ultra-short chain PFAS compounds in industrial wastewater. Case studies will demonstrate effective degradation and
defluorination, including 98% degradation of trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in industrial wastewater.
Overall, the findings offer a promising pathway to effectively combat short and ultra-short-chain PFAS compounds in water, supporting pharmaceutical manufacturers in reducing long-term environmental, regulatory, and operational risk.
