Netherlands Innovates to Eliminate Harmful PFAS Chemicals
Zwijndrecht, Thursday, 16 October 2025.
Entrepreneurs in the Netherlands, like Fajer Mushtaq, are pioneering technologies to destroy PFAS in wastewater and developing sustainable alternatives for food packaging, driving significant environmental advancements.
The Fight Against ‘Forever Chemicals’
In the Netherlands, the urgency to eliminate per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, has sparked innovative solutions spearheaded by entrepreneurs and scientists alike. One prominent figure in this movement is Fajer Mushtaq, CEO and co-founder of Oxyle, a Zurich-based startup. Mushtaq and his team have developed a cutting-edge three-step approach to capture and destroy PFAS in wastewater using technologies such as OxFoam, Oxlight, and OxSignal, which specifically target compounds that are otherwise challenging to treat with conventional methods [1].
Sustainable Alternatives in Food Packaging
Parallel to Oxyle’s efforts in wastewater treatment, the ZeroF project, involving experts such as Miika Nikinmaa and Diana Lau, is making strides in finding sustainable alternatives to PFAS in food packaging and textiles. These innovations utilize cellulose and organically modified ceramics, offering recyclable benefits that align with new environmental demands. The project’s efforts highlight the significant challenge of developing PFAS-free coatings that maintain comparable performance to their chemical counterparts [1].
Community Impact and Legislative Action
The impact of PFAS contamination is acutely felt in communities such as Zwijndrecht, where residents have shared their experiences dealing with the pollution produced by industrial giants like 3M [3]. This has fueled legislative pushes within the European Union, with countries including the Netherlands advocating for an EU-wide ban on PFAS, set to be enacted from 2026 [2]. This collective effort underscores the need for regulatory compliance and the exploration of viable alternatives, as discussed in various conferences and thematic meetings focused on this pressing issue [2][4].
The Road Ahead for PFAS Alternatives
Looking ahead, the M2i Thematic Meeting on PFAS alternatives, held on 7 October 2025 in Veldhoven, underscored the importance of collaboration among researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers. The meeting facilitated discussions on the latest developments and case studies, emphasizing the necessity of innovations that not only replace PFAS but also ensure safety and sustainability [4]. The conference highlighted the complex challenges of replacing PFAS in applications such as biomedical and engineering plastics, where no single substitute currently meets all performance demands [4].