Brisbane-based industrial clean technology company Synergen Met and Yokogawa Corporation of America announced a strategic partnership to address the remediation of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” in North America.
As part of the agreement, Synergen Met will contribute its advanced foam fractionation and thermal plasma technologies, which are designed to capture, concentrate, and completely destroy PFAS without producing harmful residual byproducts.
Yokogawa will provide sensor, control, and remote access technology to enable autonomous operations, along with local manufacturing, support, and services.
Together, the two companies are committed to tackling the widespread issue of PFAS contamination that affects numerous communities, the firms said in a media release.
Data reported in the release stated that the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has identified various health risks associated with PFAS, including reproductive and developmental effects, increased cancer risks, immune system interference, hormonal disruption, and elevated cholesterol levels.
In response, the EPA recently set legally enforceable maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for PFAS within the National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (NPDWR), applicable to public water systems.
“Yokogawa is proud to take this significant step forward in addressing the issue of PFAS,” said Steve Hayden, Industry Director at Yokogawa Corporation of America.
“We are collaborating and investing in best-in-class treatment technologies to address environmental challenges in line with our corporate sustainability goals for net zero emissions, circular economy, and human well-being. This is co-innovation at its best, and we have high expectations for leveraging Synergen Met’s unique technologies in North America,” Hayden explained.
Christopher Dunks, managing director of Synergen Met, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating, “Synergen Met is delighted to be collaborating with Yokogawa to roll out our PFAS technology in North America.”
He added, “The delivery of our powerful PFAS concentration and destruction technology requires best-in-class automation and project delivery capability. Yokogawa delivers this as a core competence, and we look forward to building out critical treatment solutions together.”