LITTLE ROCK, Ark.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Onterris (NYSE: ONT), a global environmental solutions company solving complex challenges for planet and progress, today announced that it has successfully completed a prototype project at Former Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base (NASJRB) Willow Grove, in Horsham, PA. The milestone meets technical requirements and demonstrates that the Onterris technology has been tested and proven in a prototyping process with the Department using the Company's regenerable ion exchange resin technology for the treatment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) associated with aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) impacts in groundwater. The company’s proprietary treatment and concentration technology effectively removes PFAS from the liquid waste stream, and creates a low-volume, high-concentration PFAS residual suitable for destruction.
The DIU Success Memo formally recognizes the successful execution of a prototype project awarded through a competitive process, funded by the Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP) in partnership with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) designed to identify commercially viable technologies capable of addressing PFAS contamination at military installations nationwide. The achievement establishes a pathway for any federal agencies to pursue follow-on production and deployment activities without requiring additional competitive processes.
PFAS remains one of the Department of Defense's most significant environmental challenges, with hundreds of military installations impacted by historic AFFF use. In response, the DIU issued an Area of Interest in November 2022 seeking innovative technologies capable of treating PFAS-contaminated groundwater, stormwater, soils, sediments, biosolids, and other impacted materials. Following a competitive evaluation of 64 submissions, the company’s Regenerable Ion Exchange Resin Treatment solution was selected as one of the technologies for prototype development, testing, and evaluation.
Through DIU’s Commercial Solutions Opening (CSO) process, Onterris demonstrated the effectiveness of its treatment approach in concentrating and removing PFAS from impacted water streams while reducing waste generation through regenerable media technology. The technology treated 2.5 million gallons of PFAS impacted groundwater to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (USEPA) drinking water maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for PFAS over an eight-month period of performance. Three regeneration cycles were performed, demonstrating a return to initial treatment performance after each regeneration event. The solution provides an efficient and scalable alternative to conventional PFAS treatment methods, supporting long-term remediation objectives while reducing lifecycle costs.
"The issuance of this Success Memo validates both the performance of our technology and the strength of our collaboration with the Department of War," said Vijay Manthripragada, President and Chief Executive Officer of Onterris. "PFAS presents a complex challenge across federal facilities, municipalities, and industrial sites. This achievement demonstrates that our solution is ready to support organizations seeking effective, scalable remediation approaches that meet evolving environmental requirements."
The DIU Success Memo signifies that the prototype met performance objectives established under the Other Transaction Authority (OTA) agreement and provides federal agencies with streamlined acquisition pathways for future implementation. The designation is intended to accelerate the transition of validated commercial technologies into operational use throughout the federal government.
The company's technology addresses a broad spectrum of PFAS remediation needs, including treatment of impacted groundwater and stormwater, management of investigation-derived waste streams, and support for remediation projects requiring high-performance PFAS removal. Its regenerable design minimizes residual waste generation while enabling continuous treatment operations across a variety of site conditions.
"The DOW is seeking practical, scalable solutions that can be deployed efficiently to address PFAS," said Steve Woodard, Chief Innovation Officer of Onterris. "This DIU validation reinforces our ability to support environmental restoration programs and expands opportunities to deploy our technology in future remediation efforts."
The Success Memo follows years of technology development and field implementation by Onterris and positions the company for future federal, state, and commercial PFAS remediation projects. As regulatory requirements and remediation activity continue to expand, Onterris is well-positioned to support growing demand for treatment of PFAS and emerging chemicals of concern through its portfolio of water treatment technologies and environmental services.
Effort sponsored by the U.S. Government under Other Transaction Agreement number HQ00342390010 between Emerging Compounds Treatment Technologies, Inc. (now Onterris Treatment Technologies, Inc.) and the Government. The U.S. Government is authorized to reproduce and distribute reprints for Governmental purposes notwithstanding any copyright notation thereon. The views and conclusions contained herein are those of the authors and should not be interpreted as necessarily representing the official policies or endorsements, either expressed or implied, of the U.S. Government.
About Onterris
Onterris is a global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and help protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit Onterris.com.