Preventing waste in water

The waste management hierarchy outlines a recommended framework for handling waste. While they need to be implemented in tandem, ‘prevention’ and ‘reduction’ are the most effective ways of managing waste.

Forever chemicals like per and polyfluorinated alkyl substances are some of the biggest pollutants in water. More commonly known as PFAS, they are non-degradable, allowing them to easily seep through the soil and enter groundwater, thoroughly contaminating it. This has harmful effects on biodiversity and communities that consume this water. Despite this, they are commonly used in medical, household, and cosmetic products largely due to the lack of effective alternatives and regulations.

Our water treatment portfolio contains a wide range of products and solutions that enable the removal of toxic substances in water bodies to make them safe for consumption. Aligned to the ‘reduction’ stage of the waste management hierarchy – the products we offer treat the water, reducing the harmful substances before being discharged into the water. We continue to expand our offerings in this segment because we recognize our responsibility to contribute to a balanced ecosystem.

However, we don’t want to stick solely to treatment options that reduce or eliminate the harmful effects. We want to ensure we offer solutions that also prevent the dispersal of such toxic substances in the environment. 

Our fire safety team in Germany recognized the effects of PFAS on water bodies long before it became a point of discussion in the industry. They began looking for alternatives that could still be used to make an effective fire extinguisher. After extensive research, the experienced R&D team first partially replaced the fluorine with raw materials, testing its efficacy along the way. Soon enough, they started developing entire ranges that were completely fluorine-free and mostly biodegradable across all fire classes.

Blending innovation with environmental efficiency, this monumental work undertaken by the Furex team has resulted in a portfolio of fire-extinguishing products that prevent PFAS from entering water bodies, thereby minimizing its ecological impact and facilitating the path towards waste prevention.

- Dr. Karsten Klauke, Product Manager Furex