PFASTER: innovating for PFAS remediation, Belgium
In Europe about 17,000 sites are contaminated by PFAS. Belgium is no exception. In 2024 we started the PFASTER project together with twenty partners. In this project, we remediate the old paper factory site De Naeyer in Willebroek. We investigate which techniques are most suited to remediate the site and the environment. The goal? To improve the site’s condition and take this knowledge with us in the future.
Innovative in twofold
PFASTER is part ot the LIFE program of the European Commission supporting environmental protection and climate measures. Specifically, Jan De Nul is investigating two coherent techniques that focus on PFAS remediation: soil flushing and foam fractionation. Both techniques are applied on site, avoiding a lot of transport. We also do not excavate the soil, which makes future redevelopment easier.
Elien Van Houwenhove, Project Engineer voor PFASTER bij Jan De Nul:
With our division Planet Redevelopment within Jan De Nul, we are already tackling PFAS contamination in Belgium on a large scale. For example with our valorisation centre in Hulsdonk. With this project, we aim to explore further innovative techniques to provide large-scale solutions for PFAS pollution—so we can make polluted soil clean and liveable again.
"With this project, we aim to explore further innovative techniques to provide large-scale solutions for PFAS pollution—so we can make polluted soil clean and liveable again."
In situ soil flushing
In this circular technique we let water flow through the soil to remove PFAS. We can enrich this water with an additive to tackle heavier concentrations. Afterwards, we recover and treat the PFAS-rich water for reuse. Depending on the initial concentration, we repeat this process several times.
Foam fractionation
For this technique, we send microscopic air bubbles through the contaminated water in the cleaning installation. The air bubbles and PFAS form a foam that rises to the top of the water. After two washing cycles, this results in 99% decontaminated water and 1% foam containing PFAS up to 100 times more concentrated. Our demo installation at the paper factory site can treat up to five cubic metres of water per hour and is the first in Belgium to be used for PFAS.
Van lab naar markt
We have been researching both techniques in the laboratory since 2023. Today, we can apply our expertise on pilot scale in the PFASTER project. The project runs until 2028 and is the last step to large-scale implementation. The market release for both techniques is expected in 2026.
