SESSION F11 / 16 ottobre 2025 / 17:30 - 19:00
Workshop: IWWG TG PFAS: PFAS removal from contaminated matrices
Chair / Presidente: I. Carabante (SE)
Despite the efforts to ban or restrict the use of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), they are still found in products, wastewater, waste and landfill leachate. Due to their persistence, PFAS circulation in the environment is expected to last for many decades even after their cessation. The extent of PFAS contamination and the awareness of their risks have been driving the development of treatment techniques. Most of the technologies that are considered when managing PFAS-containing waste and leachates are based on retardation of PFAS spreading through adsorption on e.g. reactive carbon or on separation technologies. This principle is partly effective as not all PFAS molecules have affinity for organic matter and also requires further management of sorbents. Techniques that could cost-effectively destroy PFAS are also highly relevant and sought by owners of waste management facilities, contaminated sites and remediation technology companies and thus urgently need to be developed. Joint efforts of experts of various disciplines are necessary to address this challenge of removing PFAS from circulation. The outcomes have a high value for society at large and the entire environment. Over the last years, a PFAS task group within IWWG was established. The group has been working with the management of PFAS-contaminated materials. The development done by this task group will be presented in this workshop, as well as the next steps to tackle the issue will be discussed.
Ivan Carabante - leader of IWWG PFAS Task Group, Luleå University of Technology ()
Introduction to the PFAS topic and update on the work done by the PFAS task group at IWWG
Igor Travar, Anders Kihl - Ragn-Sells (SE)
Needs of PFAS research for a waste management company
