Complex challenges like PFAS require systematic solutions. Indaver, Europe’s leading waste management company, effectively combines prevention, containment and treatment to permanently destroy chemicals in a sustainable way, protecting people and the environment.
PFAS are everywhere, from raincoats to cosmetics, pesticides to industrial textiles. Even our tap water is not spared. But while PFAS have been at the center of public debate in recent years, progress towards a broad ban on their production across the EU has stalled or been reduced. The key reason: For many applications, such as medical devices and heat pumps, there are no drop-in alternatives that can be easily transitioned to PFAS-free alternatives at short notice.
For example, Belgium alone still uses more than 8,000 tons of PFAS each year. This is also one of the countries where Indaver is leveraging its unique know-how and expertise to eliminate these harmful and persistent substances from society while minimizing residual emissions. While the company strongly advocates for a more systematic approach that includes improved tracking and eventual phase-out of PFAS, it recognizes that effective treatment of waste containing PFAS will remain a key part of the puzzle for the foreseeable future.
“Safe disposal of PFAS-containing waste alone will not solve the problem. We need systemic solutions to reduce the impact of PFAS, supported by clear policies, cross-sector cooperation and a willingness to invest in new technologies,” said Karl Blanken, Chief Sustainability Officer at Indavour.
Indaver Safe Sink: Turning Timeless Chemicals into History
Indavar has gradually built a showcase for PFAS destruction in Europe. At the heart of it all is a state-of-the-art rotary kiln.
“To maximize the efficiency of PFAS destruction, we focus on the four T’s,” said Stefan Opdenakker, Site Manager at Indaver Antwerp. “First of all, there’s temperature, because we expose the PFAS molecules to extreme heat of over 1,000 degrees. We do this for long periods of time (up to an hour) under intense turbulence to cause specific thermochemical reactions. This 4T combination is known as the best technology available for the waste streams we treat. Good to know: Our kilns are equipped with post-combustion systems and advanced exhaust gas purification to ensure that all PFAS molecules are destroyed.”
By operating at scale, Indabaa provides a highly effective and safe sink for PFAS in the region. And we don’t use the word “effective” lightly. By the way, the kiln has a Destructive Removal Efficiency (DRE) of 99.999997 to 99.99996% (read more), proving full compliance with the technical guidelines of the Basel Convention.
Indaver as an integral part of a clean circular economy in Belgium
Indaver does not manufacture or use PFAS. Instead, it safely destroys large amounts of PFAS in incoming industrial waste streams with proven destruction efficiency.
Minimize impact on air, water and soil
You may be wondering if Indabaa’s large-scale PFAS bust will have an impact on the environment and nearby communities. In fact, scientific studies and extensive measurements have shown that the company’s residual emissions pose no danger to employees or the surrounding environment.
Atmospheric emissions: unique data set shows remarkable results
Since 2023, Indavour has conducted more than 50 PFAS emissions measurement campaigns in flue gas. The company registered 18 measurements in 2025 alone according to the current measurement method LUC/VI/003, developed by the research center VITO in collaboration with Indaver.
“The results of our continuous improvement efforts and investments are nothing short of impressive,” explains Andres Van Brecht, Waste Regulatory Manager at Indaver. “By introducing 600 tonnes of pure PFAS, our values are well within the regulatory emission target levels based on the European Food Safety Authority’s PFAS standard. Furthermore, even including non-targeted PFAS (new or unknown chemicals not yet included in today’s standard test methods), our total annual air emissions remain below 50 grams.”
Water emissions: below detection limits for short and long PFAS chains
The potential release of PFAS residues via wastewater will also be carefully measured and monitored. Indaver does this through a multi-step water purification process. first through physicochemical and biological, then through sand filtration and finally through eight activated carbon filters. This allows Indaver to remove both short and long PFAS chains from water below detection limits.
Indaver also focuses on ultra-short PFAS chains. “A new method has been published that will allow the detection of very short-chain PFAS in wastewater in late 2024,” said Andres van Brecht. “Indavar then applied this method to conduct measurements and build relevant datasets. The results showed that the innovative treatment method developed in collaboration with our subsidiary Inopsys allows us to comply with strict permitting requirements for very short-chain PFAS, including the widespread TFA. No other waste manager can say the same.”
“With most European countries restricting PFAS monitoring to a limited number of long- and short-chain PFAS, Flanders and Indavour are once again leading the way when it comes to cleaning up very short-chain PFAS in wastewater,” explained Bart Goethals, General Manager of IWS in Indavour.
New pilot installation by Inopsys to test cutting-edge technology
In August 2025, Indavar launched a pilot facility to explore ways to further purify industrial wastewater. We are working with various partners to evaluate the potential of ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, reverse osmosis and other non-standard technologies.
“At Inopsys, we turn collateral streams into second chances at the source,” said Inopsys CEO Steven de Laet.
Extra! Extra! On-site purification of factory wastewater
Indaver not only leads in PFAS destruction at its own sites, but also provides mobile sidestream solutions for the chemical and pharmaceutical industry. This is the specialty of Inopsys, an innovative company recently acquired by Indaver and twice nominated for the Changemakers Award.
Inopsys believes in chemistry with a conscience. While the chemical and pharmaceutical industries produce life-saving products, they also produce complex side streams, such as water rich in harmful organics, metals, and APIs. Inopsys views these streams as resources, not waste.
Technology-agnostic PFAS solutions
Currently, multiple treatment technologies exist for PFAS removal in water purification, including granular activated carbon (GAC), ion exchange (IEX) resins, and membrane units. Each has advantages and limitations, and the best solution will depend on factors such as:
• Specific PFAS compounds present.
• Composition of water matrix
• Customer upstream and downstream processing steps.
In other words, removing PFAS in industrial water treatment is by no means a panacea. That’s why Inopsys selects the best available solution for a specific water flow, rather than promoting a single technology. The result is effective and reliable PFAS removal, from “classic” PFAS to short- and ultra-short-chain PFAS, including difficult compounds such as TFA and PFPrA.
Purified water is returned directly to the production process for reuse, closing the loop and supporting sustainable operations.
Please note: This is a commercial profile
This article will be published in an upcoming PFAS Special Focus Publication in April.
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