Cleantech Group reveals gaining momentum as investor, corporate, and government attention intensifies, identifying $400B in environmental damages to global water systems

“Over 6,400 lawsuits have been filed globally claiming PFAS-related harm with more than $15B already paid out in damages from large chemical manufacturers. Mounting pressure across North America and Europe continues to play out in legislatures and court rooms while interest in next-generation technologies that can destroy PFAS at the molecular level is booming. Public pressure to address the PFAS pollution is finally translating into funding and commercial traction.”

--Parker Bovée, Research Associate, Waste & Recycling at Cleantech Group.

Ongoing contamination studies in Australia, Europe, and the U.S. are now investigating health impacts related to the estimated 15,000 companies using PFAS in their daily operations.

PFAS, a family of chemicals used across a range of products including firefighting foams and water-repellent fabrics, are increasingly linked to serious health and environmental concerns. Novel contamination sources are now accelerating with expanding semiconductor manufacturing increasing PFAS use dramatically, often without full consideration of human harm or proper disposal.

Interview with Parker Bovée

By Suzanne Forcese

WT: As a research-driven company, Cleantech Group that helps corporates, public sector, investors, and others identify, assess, and engage with the innovative solutions and opportunities related to environmental and climate challenges, what are you observing in the current PFAS pollution/destruction/investment landscapes?

Bovée: We’re seeing a marked shift from bench-scale science to deployable systems. Start-ups that can prove their destruction efficiency and cost-effectiveness are attracting real interest from corporates, water utilities, and impact investors.

• Since 2020, PFAS destruction start-ups have raised over $120M in disclosed funding, with more than $70M of that raised since 2023. U.S.-based companies dominate the landscape, but activity is rising in Europe and Canada.
• Multiple technology categories are gaining traction—including supercritical water oxidation (SCWO), plasma-based systems, electrochemical oxidation, and enzymatic degradation. Innovators like Aquagga, Allonnia, and Aclarity are leading the charge with field pilots and early commercial deployments.
• First adopters include U.S. federal agencies, industrial manufacturers, and municipal water utilities. For example, the Department of Defense has been a major funder of PFAS destruction pilots to remediate legacy AFFF (Aqueous Film-Forming Foam) contamination on military sites.
• Corporate interest is rising from sectors such as chemicals, energy, and waste management. Veolia and 374Water have collaborated on PFAS treatment systems, while others are testing integration of destruction units into existing wastewater infrastructure.

WT: Parker, you have described this as "a truly unprecedented market moment" in PFASdestruction? What is the core driver of this moment?

How are innovators positioned to capture this moment?

Bovée: Bans on PFAS incineration and new, concrete legislation limiting PFAS levels in water systems will force market adoption of novel technologies. Companies slow to adapt to PFAS risks face an increasingly unfavorable legal climate and potential for billion-dollar liability settlements.

Liability is finally a serious threat to polluters and innovation has developed clearer market-fit in just a few years.

Outstanding liability suits on corporations are aligning with legislative/executive action to pressure chemical/defense/aviation/manufacturing industries to seriously reconsider:

1. If PFAS are core to their products or

2.How they can mitigate liability risk from PFAS.

 If PFAS cannot be replaced in a product, as is the case in many applications, PFAS treatment technologies accelerate to fill a gap in the market. This is exactly what we are seeing. Exceptional demand bolstered by a policy reform mandating PFAS treatment in several countries.

WT: In April 2024, the EPA finalized the first-ever national drinking water standard for PFAS.

In Europe, February 2025, France became the first country to ban PFAS in many consumer products.

In March 2025, the Canadian government announced a major crackdown on PFAS.

Are you interpreting these developments as a global push on PFAS elimination?

Bovée: Not global. I think it is unlikely to see any UN or global treaty here. Liability is driving market demand but also furthering the public discourse on PFAS.

It seems that many corporates and the defense department are genuinely concerned about the scale of contamination. The defense department is launching several pilots while chemical companies are incorporating PFAS filtering technologies for their facilities.

WT: Much attention these days is focused on the current U.S. administration’s stance on climate change and the impact on clean tech. Is PFAS destruction a partisan issue?

Bovée: This is truly a bipartisan issue. It is a win for the environment and all those focused on cleantech innovation. The Biden administration was vigorous in installing some of the first PFAS testing programs and recommended limits across water systems in the US.

The Trump administration has been vocal in their continuation of this spirit. Administrator Zeldin (EPA) is leading the charge here with a clearly articulated focus on reducing pollution and clarifying liability, challenging decades old notions about Republican policymakers on environmental policy.

WT: What challenges remain? How easy or difficult will these challenges be surmounted in your opinion?

Bovée: The challenges are immense still. Legislation is needed and the time is now, with momentum from both Republican and Democratic law makers, to pass nationwide PFAS monitoring and limits in water, soil, and air systems.

Technologies also vary in their development. Non-thermal plasma promises high PFAS destruction potential with low energy use, but it remains in testing. Within five to ten years, these technologies should mature well.

WT: In your view what is motivating the most significant push toward the merging of innovation and investment in the PFAS destruction story?

Bovée: Significant activity from the Department of Defense should be mentioned. They are giving innovators land and resources to work with when these start-ups are being ignored elsewhere. The Defense Innovation Unit is the story here.

Related: DESTROYING PFAS FOREVER