How one company is leading a global effort to eradicate PFAS contamination at the molecular level.
PFAS chemicals, often referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’ have emerged as one of the most persistent and pervasive environmental contaminants of the 21st century. Found in industrial wastewater, firefighting foams, landfills, and even drinking water supplies, PFAS compounds resist natural degradation and accumulate in ecosystems and human bodies over time. Regulatory agencies worldwide are increasingly recognising the risks these substances pose – from ecological disruption to long-term health hazards. Communities face ongoing exposure, and organisations confront mounting liability, compliance challenges, and public scrutiny.
Amid this urgent global challenge, Moss Parker, a Colorado-based technology company, has developed and deployed a breakthrough solution that goes beyond conventional remediation. By leveraging a proprietary catalytic system, Moss Parker destroys PFAS molecules at the molecular level, eliminating the contamination rather than simply relocating it. This innovation represents a meaningful advance in protecting communities, ecosystems, and clients from the complex hazards of PFAS.
The problem of PFAS
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a class of synthetic chemicals used extensively in manufacturing, firefighting foams, non-stick cookware, and water-resistant materials. Their molecular structure, characterised by strong carbon-fluorine bonds, renders them highly resistant to chemical, biological, and environmental breakdown. As a result, PFAS persist in soil, groundwater, and surface water, earning their ‘forever chemicals’ moniker.
The consequences of widespread PFAS contamination are significant:
- Ecological risk: PFAS bioaccumulate in wildlife and enter the food chain, affecting ecosystems across multiple scales.
- Human health risk: Exposure to PFAS is linked to liver toxicity, immune system disruption, hormone interference, and certain cancers.
- Regulatory and legal liability: Governments worldwide are tightening PFAS regulations, creating compliance challenges and potential financial liability for companies managing contaminated sites.
Current remediation and destruction solutions fall short in addressing these risks. Traditional remediation methods, such as adsorption or filtration, may remove PFAS from one location but merely transfer the contamination elsewhere, leaving liability unresolved and enabling recontamination. Alternative destruction technologies often require high energy input, produce harmful byproducts, and only partially break down PFAS molecules, creating shorter-chain variants that remain toxic. Simply put, existing solutions treat the symptoms, not the root problem.
Moss Parker’s differentiated solution
Moss Parker’s approach addresses PFAS contamination at its source, leveraging a proprietary solid-phase catalyst system (MTF) designed for broad-spectrum PFAS destruction. Unlike conventional methods, this technology achieves molecular-level mineralisation, breaking the carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so persistent and producing only CO₂ and fluoride as byproducts.
Key features and performance metrics of Moss Parker’s technology include:
- Unparalleled destruction capability: 99.9+% of target PFAS molecules (including PFOA, PFOS, and other long- and short-chain PFAS) are destroyed.
- High mass balance for free fluorine: Greater than 93%, ensuring true mineralisation.
- Broad-spectrum effectiveness: Targets both long- and short-chain compound variants alike.
- Cost-effective operation: Room temperature and pressure conditions reduce energy requirements and operating costs.
- Rapid reaction times: Destruction can occur in as little as 60 minutes.
- Third-party verification: Independent testing confirms performance, reliability, and safety.
This process represents a paradigm shift in PFAS management. While many technologies claim destruction, few deliver true mineralisation. Moss Parker’s catalytic system ensures that the PFAS molecule is fully broken down, rather than converted into a shorter, still-toxic chain. This capability addresses both environmental and regulatory concerns, giving clients confidence that they are managing contamination comprehensively.
Services and applications
Moss Parker currently delivers a suite of flexible, field-proven services designed to meet diverse client needs:
- End-to-end PFAS destruction: From remediation to molecular destruction, including the removal of co-contaminants.
- Destruction-only integration: For clients with existing remediation systems, Moss Parker can integrate its catalytic technology to ensure PFAS elimination.
- Deployment flexibility: Systems are available in both mobile and permanent configurations, accommodating site-specific requirements.
Applications span multiple sectors and contamination sources, including:
- Industrial wastewater: Manufacturing plants, chemical processing facilities, and other industrial sites.
- Groundwater treatment: Municipal water utilities, agricultural wells, and landfills.
- AFFF firefighting foam: Highly concentrated PFAS streams from airports, fire departments, and military installations.
This range of services demonstrates the versatility of Moss Parker’s technology and its ability to deliver practical, scalable solutions across challenging real-world scenarios.
The Moss Parker team and mission
Founded and based in Colorado, Moss Parker has spent the past seven years developing and refining its PFAS destruction technology. The team combines highly skilled scientists and engineers with a leadership group of serial entrepreneurs, blending technical innovation with operational execution.
The company’s mission extends beyond technology. It is committed to protecting communities, supporting compliance, and addressing PFAS liability on a global scale. Through strategic partnerships, scaled manufacturing, and continued innovation, Moss Parker aims to make safe, effective PFAS destruction widely accessible.
Looking forward
The challenge of PFAS contamination is urgent and complex, but Moss Parker stands ready to meet it with a scalable, proven solution. By expanding manufacturing, pursuing additional contracts, and growing partnerships, the company is working to bring its technology to more communities and industries, helping clients safeguard people, ecosystems, and regulatory compliance.
Moss Parker’s vision is clear: to clean the world of PFAS contamination, protect the environment, and empower organisations with the tools to achieve sustainable compliance.
For more information or to explore partnership opportunities, please visit our website or contact the team directly here.
