A three-generation family company has patented a revolutionary material for the removal and destruction of “forever toxic chemicals” from drinking water.
The Core+ material is reusable, reducing costs and waste, and integrates with existing water treatment infrastructures.
Pioneering Technology for a Global Issue
The so-called “forever toxic chemicals” or PFAS (perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have become a global concern due to their persistence in the environment and water and their harmful effects on health.
These synthetic compounds, used for decades in products such as carpets, waterproof clothing, non-stick cookware, cosmetics, and packaging, accumulate in the human body and ecosystems, posing serious health risks.
In this context, the startup CoreWater Technologies, Inc., located in Oberlin, Ohio, has developed an innovative method for removing PFAS from drinking water. The company, founded in 2019 by three generations of the Flood family –Dennis J., Dennis M., and Cody–, has raised $2.9 million in private investment to date.
Their mission is to provide a sustainable and efficient solution to a problem affecting millions of people in the United States and worldwide.
Global Health Threat and Stringent Regulations
PFAS are associated with increased cholesterol levels, kidney and testicular cancer, decreased birth weight, changes in vaccine response in children, and complications such as hypertension and preeclampsia during pregnancy, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For this reason, in April 2024, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) established strict concentration limits for six toxic PFAS chemicals in drinking water, with values measured in parts per billion (ppt), equivalent to a few drops in 50,000 cubic meters of water, or approximately 20 Olympic pools.
These standards are expected to reduce PFAS exposure in 100 million people, preventing thousands of deaths and reducing tens of thousands of severe illnesses.
Water distribution companies must complete initial assessments by 2027. If levels above the allowed limits are detected, they must implement PFAS removal systems by 2029. Compliance with these standards could cost up to €3.7 billion annually ($4 billion), according to the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
CoreWater’s Innovation: ARID Technology
CoreWater has developed the ARID process (adsorb, rinse/remove, isolate, and destroy), which uses granular activated carbon (GAC), a material widely used in water treatment plants but with limitations in trapping PFAS until now.
The innovation involves chemically coating the GAC with ultra-thin layers, creating a patented composite material called Core+, capable of effectively adsorbing PFAS.
Once saturated, the material is rinsed with a specialized solution that extracts PFAS, concentrating them in treatable wastewater through destructive technologies. The Core+ is reusable, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.
This process is relevant for the sector because it leverages existing infrastructure in treatment plants and reduces the generation of hazardous waste. By not requiring the complete replacement of filters but the modification of conventional GAC, it facilitates adoption by drinking water operators.
Expansion and Strategic Collaborations
CoreWater has formed partnerships with leading companies in PFAS destruction technologies, such as Enspired Solutions, Revive Environmental, and Aclarity, with the aim of integrating comprehensive removal and destruction processes for PFAS.
The startup also collaborates with APV Engineered Coatings in Akron to scale up Core+ production. Currently, they are increasing production from experimental gram batches to 45-kilogram batches. This will allow pilot testing in water treatment plants in the short term.
Challenges and Opportunities in the Global Market
Despite the potential of their technology, CoreWater faces competition from other startups and established companies developing specialized resins and regenerable adsorbents.
However, CoreWater’s focus on adapting GAC and their licensing model for activated carbon producers could expedite adoption and establish their presence in the market.
The global PFAS treatment market is projected as a multi-billion-dollar opportunity. In the United States, up to 6,700 public water systems serving 150 million people must comply with the new regulations.
The EPA estimates that annual compliance costs will exceed €1.4 billion ($1.5 billion), while AWWA believes it could reach €3.7 billion ($4 billion).
Environmental Commitment and Sustainability
For CoreWater, technological innovation is accompanied by a strong commitment to sustainability and environmental protection.
According to Dennis M. Flood, co-founder and president, the company’s goal is not only economic benefit but also to contribute to environmental remediation. This approach aligns with the principles of circular economy and renewable energies, essential for addressing contemporary environmental challenges.
With their developments, CoreWater emerges as a key player in the fight against PFAS contamination, providing solutions that combine efficiency, resource reuse, and environmental sustainability in a field where innovation is crucial to protect health and ecosystems.
Cover photo: CoreWater Tech
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