In the global race to tackle PFAS contamination—often called “forever chemicals” for their resistance to breakdown—U.S.-based Pulse Wastewater has emerged with a potentially game-changing approach that aims not just to capture these pollutants, but to destroy them entirely.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) have been widely used for decades in products ranging from firefighting foams to nonstick coatings. Their durability, while useful in manufacturing, has created a persistent environmental hazard. Conventional treatment systems can filter or separate PFAS, but they typically leave behind concentrated residues that still require disposal. Pulse claims to have solved that problem.

Pulse Wastewater has emerged with a potentially game-changing approach that aims not just to capture these pollutants, but to destroy them entirely.

According to the company, its proprietary technology uses advanced energy processes—including pulsed plasma and electron-beam reactions—to break the powerful carbon-fluorine bonds that make PFAS so difficult to degrade. The system, Pulse says, can “destroy and remove the most difficult contaminants, including PFAS and PFOA,” turning toxic wastewater into a safer, more manageable effluent without generating secondary waste streams.

The company’s solution recently earned recognition through the Earth05 Co-Creation Prize for its practical and scalable design. Pulse describes its approach as sustainable, modular, and ready for deployment across both industrial and municipal facilities. Unlike adsorptive media or membranes that require frequent replacement, Pulse’s system aims for continuous operation, potentially reducing both waste and long-term costs.

PFAS destruction is one of the most challenging frontiers in environmental technology, and many methods still struggle to move beyond laboratory scale. If Pulse’s claims hold true under real-world conditions—where wastewater streams contain a mix of organic materials, salts, and other contaminants—it could represent a major leap forward. Industry experts note that energy requirements and byproduct control will be critical factors in determining the system’s viability at scale.

While detailed technical data and independent performance studies have yet to be published, Pulse’s emergence signals growing momentum in the search for effective PFAS remediation. As global regulators tighten limits on “forever chemicals” in drinking water and industrial discharges, practical destruction technologies are drawing increasing attention from utilities, environmental engineers, and investors alike.

Pulse’s promise is simple but profound: to make the world’s toughest contaminants disappear—not just from sight, but from existence. See a profile of the company on the Davos Technology Platform.