Calgon Carbon Patent Paves Way for Sustainable PFAS Destruction

PITTSBURGH, PA – December 09, 2025 – As communities across the United States face a ticking clock to comply with stringent new federal regulations on "forever chemicals," a Pittsburgh-based company has secured a key patent that promises not just to remove these persistent contaminants from drinking water, but to destroy them sustainably.

Calgon Carbon Corporation, a subsidiary of Japan's Kuraray, announced the issuance of U.S. Patent No. 12,478,948. The patent protects a method for using reactivated granular activated carbon (GAC) to adsorb and subsequently eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water sources, offering a powerful tool in a growing public health battle.

A Mandate for Clean Water Meets a Technological Bottleneck

The urgency for such technology has never been greater. In April 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized landmark regulations, establishing legally enforceable Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) for several PFAS compounds in drinking water. The limits for two of the most notorious chemicals, PFOA and PFOS, were set at an unprecedented 4 parts per trillion (ppt). Public water systems are now on a tight schedule, with compliance deadlines for these MCLs expected around 2031, forcing municipalities to find effective and economically viable treatment solutions.

PFAS, a family of thousands of synthetic compounds used for decades in products from non-stick pans to firefighting foam, are notoriously difficult to break down, earning them the moniker "forever chemicals." Their persistence in the environment and links to serious health effects have made their removal a national priority.

While several technologies exist for PFAS remediation—including standard GAC, ion exchange resins, and reverse osmosis—many present a significant secondary problem: they capture the contaminants but do not destroy them. This often results in PFAS-laden waste streams that require costly and complex disposal, such as landfilling or high-temperature incineration, effectively moving the problem elsewhere rather than solving it.

The Science of Destruction and Renewal

Calgon Carbon's newly patented process directly confronts this disposal challenge by creating a circular, destructive-and-reusable system. The innovation lies in the "reactivation" of the GAC after it has become saturated with PFAS contaminants.

The process involves removing the spent carbon from a water treatment facility and transporting it to a specialized reactivation center. There, the carbon is heated in multi-hearth furnaces to temperatures exceeding 900°C (approximately 1700°F). At this intense heat, the incredibly strong carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so persistent are broken, effectively destroying the adsorbed chemical compounds.

The efficacy of this method is not just a corporate claim; it is backed by peer-reviewed science. Two separate studies published in the Remediation Journal, one in 2022 and another in late 2025, have validated the process. The research confirmed a greater than 99.9% destruction removal efficiency for total PFAS, with the rate for PFOA and PFOS exceeding 99.99%. Crucially, using advanced EPA testing methods, the studies found no detectable emissions of harmful PFAS byproducts or reformed PFAS compounds, addressing a key concern with thermal treatment.

Once the contaminants are destroyed, the carbon itself is restored to a near-virgin state, ready to be returned to service. This not only provides a definitive end-of-life solution for the captured PFAS but also significantly reduces the carbon footprint and resource consumption associated with producing new, virgin activated carbon.

Strategic IP and a Resilient Domestic Supply Chain

The issuance of patent No. 12,478,948, which joins two other recent PFAS-related patents in the company's portfolio, represents a significant strategic move. By locking down the intellectual property around the use of reactivated carbon for PFAS treatment, Calgon Carbon solidifies its leadership in a market poised for explosive growth due to the new EPA mandates. This IP fortress provides a powerful competitive advantage over other GAC providers and alternative technologies.

From a strategic defense and economic security perspective, the company's operational model is equally important. Calgon Carbon emphasizes its vertically integrated, domestic supply chain, which utilizes U.S.-mined coal to produce activated carbon at its facilities, boasting an annual manufacturing capacity of over 310 million pounds. In an era of fragile global supply chains, having a domestically sourced and produced solution for a critical public health challenge offers a level of resilience and reliability that is highly attractive to municipal and federal clients.

"This patent not only recognizes our team’s commitment to scientific innovation but also reinforces our leadership in providing high performing, reliable, and sustainable solutions to Americans in communities large and small," said Jenalle Brewer, Senior Vice President of Drinking Water Solutions and Global Business Development, in a statement. "Our domestically produced advanced sorbent technology gives our customers an advantage on cost, performance, and reliability."

Empowering Communities for the Compliance Challenge

As water utilities across the country scramble to develop plans and secure funding for the necessary infrastructure upgrades, technologies that offer both high efficacy and long-term cost-effectiveness are paramount. Calgon Carbon's reactivated carbon solution is positioned as a leading contender by balancing these needs. While initial capital costs for GAC systems are a factor, the ability to reuse the carbon media multiple times offers significant operational savings compared to single-use media or energy-intensive systems like reverse osmosis.

The peer-verified destruction of PFAS prevents future liability associated with contaminated waste, a growing concern for utilities and municipalities. By providing a proven, sustainable, and domestically supported technology, the company is equipping communities with a vital tool to meet the looming regulatory deadlines and ensure the long-term safety of their drinking water. This advancement transforms the fight against forever chemicals from a simple filtration exercise into a comprehensive and sustainable remediation strategy.