LANXESS has demonstrated the industrial-scale effectiveness of its selective ion exchange resin, Lewatit MDS TP 108, in removing even short- and ultrashort-chain PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from wastewater. During a field trial at Chemours Netherlands B.V. in Dordrecht, the resin removed more than 99% of fluorinated organic compounds, highlighting its ability to tackle contaminants that conventional ion exchange resins and activated carbon filters often fail to capture.
Addressing the PFAS Challenge
PFAS, often referred to as “forever chemicals,” degrade very slowly and accumulate in the environment and living organisms, posing significant environmental and health concerns. Short- and ultrashort-chain PFAS, containing two to seven carbon atoms, are particularly difficult to remove because they adsorb poorly onto activated carbon and bind weakly to many conventional ion exchange resins, especially in the presence of competing anions.
Resin Designed for Short-Chain PFAS
To overcome these challenges, LANXESS introduced the monodisperse selective resin Lewatit MDS TP 108 in 2024. The resin features beads that are about one-third smaller than those of conventional ion exchange resins, resulting in higher adsorption capacity, longer service life, and faster exchange kinetics. Consequently, it maintains high performance even under elevated flow rates.
Three-Stage Treatment Process
As per a company press release, Chemours uses a three-stage wastewater treatment process. First, reverse osmosis separates the wastewater into a PFAS-depleted permeate and a concentrated PFAS stream. Next, activated carbon filters remove long-chain PFAS to prevent them from occupying the selective resin. Finally, a cascade of three Lewatit MDS TP 108 vessels—comprising one primary filter and two polishing filters—effectively removes short-chain PFAS with two and three carbon atoms.
“Our tailored ion exchange resins have bound more than 99% of all fluorinated organic compounds from the wastewater. After use, they are incinerated at high temperatures to destroy the PFAS,” said Björn Dinges, Application Technology Manager at LANXESS.
Industrial Deployment
Engineering partner Logisticon Water Treatment B.V., based in the Netherlands, designed and supplied the complete water treatment plant, including its specialised operating procedures. Following a multi-month trial, the system has been operating at the Chemours site since mid-2025. It continues to help reduce fluorinated organic compound emissions while enabling the facility to comply with stringent environmental regulations.
They have revised the reported removal efficiency from 99.9% to 99% after the initial publication.
