Entrepreneurs Innovate to Eliminate Harmful PFAS Chemicals
Zwijndrecht, Wednesday, 1 October 2025.
Fajer Mushtaq works on destroying PFAS in wastewater, while Miika Nikinmaa and Diana Lau develop sustainable PFAS alternatives for packaging and textiles, addressing urgent environmental concerns.
Understanding PFAS and Their Environmental Impact
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as ‘forever chemicals,’ are a group of synthetic chemicals that have been widely used in various industries due to their resistance to heat, water, and oil. However, these chemicals are persistent in the environment and have been linked to several health issues, prompting urgent efforts to manage and eliminate them [1][2].
Innovative Solutions from Oxyle
Zurich-based cleantech company Oxyle, led by CEO Fajer Mushtaq, has developed pioneering technologies aimed at containing and destroying PFAS in wastewater. Oxyle employs a three-step approach involving OxFoam for separation, Oxlight for breaking carbon-fluorine bonds, and OxSignal for continuous monitoring of PFAS concentrations. These innovations are designed to tackle all PFAS compounds, including those that are typically difficult to eliminate [1][3].
ZeroF Project: Sustainable Alternatives
The ZeroF project, co-led by Miika Nikinmaa and Diana Lau, focuses on developing sustainable alternatives to PFAS used in food packaging and textiles. The project explores the use of modified cellulose for packaging and organically modified ceramics (Ormocers) for textiles. These innovations aim to provide comparable performance to PFAS without the associated environmental and health risks [1][4].
Addressing Global Environmental Concerns
Regions like Zwijndrecht have been heavily impacted by PFAS contamination, illustrating the global scale of the issue. The efforts by entrepreneurs like Mushtaq, Nikinmaa, and Lau are critical in addressing these environmental challenges. Their work not only aims to mitigate the current impact of PFAS but also to prevent future damage by finding viable, sustainable alternatives [1][2].