Aqua free Unveils Bisphenol-Free Filters as EU Regulatory Tsunami Hits

HAMBURG, Germany – January 16, 2026 – In a significant move reflecting a rapidly tightening regulatory landscape, water hygiene specialist Aqua free Industries has announced the expansion of its portfolio to include bisphenol-free membrane filters for drinking water applications. The decision comes as manufacturers across Europe race to comply with a wave of stringent new rules aimed at eliminating consumer exposure to potentially harmful chemicals in water and food contact materials.

This strategic pivot by the Hamburg-based company, which specializes in bespoke filtration solutions for Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) partners, is a direct response to a confluence of scientific warnings and legislative action from the European Union. By offering bisphenol-free alternatives, Aqua free is positioning itself and its clients ahead of a compliance curve that is fundamentally reshaping the standards for water safety.

The Regulatory Hammer Falls on Bisphenols

The industry-wide shift is being driven by mounting scientific evidence and decisive regulatory action against Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly used to produce plastics like polysulphone and polycarbonate, which are often found in water treatment components. The tipping point arrived in April 2023, when the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a damning re-evaluation of BPA's health risks. Citing potential harmful effects on the immune system, EFSA slashed the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for BPA to 0.2 nanograms per kilogram of body weight per day. This represents a staggering 20,000-fold reduction from the previous guideline set in 2015, effectively signaling that even minuscule levels of exposure are no longer considered safe.

This scientific consensus triggered a swift legislative response. In late 2024, the European Commission adopted Regulation (EU) 2024/3190, which imposes a far-reaching ban on the use of BPA in most food contact materials, set to take effect before the end of that year. While primarily targeting food packaging, the regulation's principles cast a long shadow over any material intended for human consumption, including drinking water systems.

Furthermore, the water industry is already governed by the EU Drinking Water Directive (EU) 2020/2184, which establishes a specific parametric limit for BPA of 2.5 micrograms per liter (µg/L). Together, these measures have created an undeniable imperative for manufacturers to source, develop, and validate bisphenol-free materials to ensure both public health and market access.

A Proactive Response to a Shifting Market

Rather than simply reacting to deadlines, Aqua free Industries is framing its new material offering as a strategic initiative to future-proof its OEM partners. The company, a subsidiary of the Aqua free Group, works behind the scenes to develop and manufacture customer-specific filtration solutions for brands in healthcare, residential buildings, and other sensitive industries.

“This move is about providing our partners with robust, well-documented, and practical options that mitigate regulatory risk,” an industry analyst familiar with the filtration market commented. “For an OEM, having a supplier that can guarantee compliance with forward-looking standards is a massive competitive advantage. It removes a significant burden of R&D and supply chain validation from their shoulders.”

Underpinning this new offering is a significant investment in the company’s infrastructure. Aqua free has deliberately expanded the research, development, and production capacities at its facility in Lommel, Belgium. This expansion is designed to enable faster and more flexible responses to new material requirements and custom project specifications. Crucially, the Lommel site has also achieved ISO 9001 certification, an internationally recognized standard for quality management. This certification provides OEM clients with a verifiable assurance of process control, consistency, and reliability—critical attributes when dealing with components essential for public health.

Beyond Compliance: The Race for Safer Water

The push for bisphenol-free materials is not merely a European compliance exercise; it reflects a powerful global market trend. The worldwide market for BPA-free products was valued at nearly USD 14 billion in 2022 and is projected to surge to almost USD 23 billion by 2030, driven by intense consumer demand for healthier products. This demand is particularly acute in sectors that Aqua free serves, including:

• Healthcare: Hospitals and care facilities require the highest standards of water purity to protect vulnerable patients from waterborne pathogens and chemical contaminants.
• Food and Beverage: This industry, already under pressure from food contact material regulations, needs to ensure its process water is free from contaminants that could migrate into final products.
• Residential Systems: The “BPA-free” label has become a powerful marketing tool for point-of-use water filters, as health-conscious consumers actively seek to eliminate chemical exposure in their homes.

While Aqua free is a notable mover, it is part of a broader industry realignment. Major players in the water technology space, from DuPont to Pall Corporation, are heavily invested in material science and regulatory compliance. The competitive landscape is increasingly being defined not just by filtration performance, but by material safety and transparency. By specializing in tailored OEM solutions with a clear focus on bisphenol-free options, Aqua free aims to carve out a leadership position in this high-stakes niche.

The company’s long-standing expertise in medical-grade filtration, underscored by its ISO 13485 certification for medical devices at its Hamburg site, further strengthens its credibility in developing products for the most demanding applications.

The Future of Filtration: What's Next for Water Hygiene

The journey toward chemically inert water contact materials is far from over. As manufacturers phase out BPA, scientific scrutiny is already turning to its common substitutes, such as Bisphenol S (BPS) and Bisphenol F (BPF), with some studies suggesting they may possess similar endocrine-disrupting properties. This raises the prospect of future regulations expanding to cover a wider class of bisphenols, forcing the industry to remain in a state of continuous innovation.

For companies like Aqua free Industries, the strategy is clear: stay ahead of the scientific and regulatory curve. The expansion in Lommel and the commitment to developing a portfolio of well-documented solutions indicate a long-term vision. The future of water filtration will be defined by a holistic approach that balances microbial removal with material safety, ensuring that the water we drink is not only free from bacteria but also from the very materials designed to purify it. As standards evolve, the industry's capacity for rapid innovation will be the ultimate guarantor of public health.