CellX Biosolutions: bacteria against forever chemicals
They are in bodies of water and in soil, in drinking water and food: PFAS (‘per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances’) or ‘forever chemicals’ are extremely persistent synthetic chemicals. They are considered harmful to health and practically non-degradable. The Swiss Government has adopted an action plan for dealing with PFAS. To protect our health, it will tighten the rules for using and disposing of products containing PFAS. Further, the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) wants to actively remove these chemicals from contaminated soil. But how?
A technology for degrading PFAS
One answer comes from CellX Biosolutions, an ETH Zurich spin-off. The start-up is developing a technology for identifying and capturing bacteria in water and soil that can break down PFAS, microplastics, pesticides or pharmaceutical residues. In the lab, these natural recyclers create a biological cleaning solution for polluted industrial wastewater or contaminated soils. The first prototypes have been successfully tested. With support from Migros Pioneer Fund, CellX is realising pioneering projects with industrial partners and working towards market maturity.
From pilot projects to bio-based environmental tech
First, CellX Biosolutions aims to create effective, sustainable and cost-efficient bacterial solutions for contaminated soils and PFAS-contaminated wastewater from the chemical industry. In the long term, the team wants to make its biotech the new standard for the permanent elimination of persistent pollutants. We can only protect water, soil – and livelihoods – if we reduce pollution sustainably.
CellX Biosolutions: bacteria against PFAS
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Photo: © Gwendolin Schoenfeld