EPA’s SBIR Program Showcases Small Businesses Developing Technologies to Test and Treat PFAS

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This April, EPA’s Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program highlighted eight companies supported by the program that are developing technologies to detect, assess, and treat PFAS in the environment.

Of the eight companies, seven are pioneering technologies to remove PFAS from water, wastewater, and/or other liquids.  They utilize a variety of technological methods: Onvector LLC developed a plasma vortex reactor-based system; Claros Technologies, Inc. uses a photochemical method; and OxByEl Technologies, Inc.’s treatment relies on an electrochemical process.  One company, RemWell Inc., is working on a sonolysis reactor that will remediate PFAS in groundwater when placed in a horizontal well.  Another, BioLargo, Inc., uses an aqueous electrostatic concentrator to capture PFAS in a membrane for further treatment or disposal.

The only highlighted company that does not specialize in PFAS water treatment, Accurate Environmental Laboratories, developed a passive sampling method that determines levels of PFAS contamination in soils and sediments using diffusion.

Many of the small businesses report impressive efficacy, and some of their technologies are being applied in real-world situations.  Aquagga’s hydrothermal alkaline groundwater treatment process will soon be used for remediation projects at airports and air force bases.  Meanwhile, Cyclopure, Inc. is in the process of constructing full-scale regeneration and PFAS destruction facilities to administer its adsorbent-based PFAS water treatment.

Every year, EPA’s SBIR Program solicits technological proposals that address specific environmental topics.  Winning proposals are awarded contracts for “proof of concept” of the proposed technology and are eligible to apply for additional funding to further develop and commercialize the technology.  In five of the last six years, the program has included a PFAS-related topic in its batch of solicitations.

Biden Administration Announces Goals to Advance Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing

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Last month, the Biden Administration announced “new bold goals and priorities” to promote American biotechnology and biomanufacturing.  The announcement comes after a September 2022 executive order intended to bolster biotechnological innovation.

“Biomanufacturing – or the use of biological systems to produce goods and services at commercial scale – has the potential to drive new sustainable alternatives across industries, including plastics, fuels, and medicines,” the Administration stated.  “These innovations can unlock new solutions in health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, supply chain resilience, and national and economic security.”

The announcement included the release of several documents related to biotechnology and biomanufacturing, including a report jointly authored by multiple agencies that outlines ten goals and associated R&D needs for biotechnological innovation.  The goals fall under four themes: development of more carbon-neutral transportation and stationary fuels, reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in chemicals and materials production, development of climate-focused agricultural systems and plants, and carbon dioxide removal.  The White House Office of Science and Technology is in the process of developing an implementation plan to address the R&D needs identified by the report.

The announcement also released a Department of Defense (DOD) memorandum establishing the Department’s biomanufacturing strategy, which will guide nearly $1.5 billion in DOD biomanufacturing-related investments. The strategy focuses on three key priorities: establishing the customers within the DOD that stand to benefit from early-stage innovations, advancing biomanufacturing capabilities through innovation, and mapping the biomanufacturing ecosystem and tracking metrics that support future efforts.  The Department is also issuing a formal request for information on biomanufactured products and process capabilities that could address defense needs.

White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Requests Information on the Regulation of Biotechnology

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The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) recently released two Requests for Information (RFI) regarding the National Biotechnology and Biomanufacturing Initiative. The Initiative is intended to advance biotechnology and biomanufacturing for innovative solutions in a number of areas, including health, climate change, energy, food security, agriculture, and supply chain resilience. The goal of the program is to strengthen supply chains and lower prices, create sustainable products, create jobs, and spur new opportunities in agricultural communities.

The first RFI sought public input on how advances in biotechnology and biomanufacturing can help the country achieve societal goals related to health, climate change and energy, food and agricultural innovation, and resilient supply chains. Topics identified in the RFI include harnessing biotechnology and biomanufacturing R&D, identifying data gaps and collecting data on the bioeconomy, building a vibrant domestic biomanufacturing ecosystem, procuring biobased products, developing a biotechnology and biomanufacturing workforce, advancing biosafety and biosecurity, measuring the bioeconomy, and international engagement.

The second RFI focuses specifically on federal regulation of biotechnology. It requested public input on how to improve the clarity and efficiency of biotechnology product regulation. OSTP coordinated with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop the RFI.

 

 

CIEL Report Claims Regulation Stimulates Chemical Innovation

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Chemical Regulation/Innovation:

Earlier this month, the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) released its report, Driving Innovation: How stronger laws help bring safer chemicals to market.  In the report, CIEL offers research showing that stronger laws foster innovation by large and small companies alike.  Among other things,CIEL cites the number of patents for alternative chemicals filed every time there’s new chemical regulation. CIEL is located in Washington, D.C. and Geneva, Switzerland.  More information about CIEL is available here.

Forbes magazine recently published an article on this same topic, citing the CIEL report among other sources.  That article is available here.

What do others think of this conclusion?