At Stena Recycling in Halmstad, Helios Innovations operates Europe’s only dedicated facility for treating highly contaminated PFAS water streams — an innovation platform that turns discarded firefighting foam and extinguishing water into clean water.
Halmstad, Sweden
Waste Management Discarded firefighting foam is over 97% water but contains highly persistent PFAS chemicals requiring specialist handling. Previously, entire water volumes were sent for high-temperature incineration at significant cost — with no local treatment alternative available.
A dedicated PFAS treatment facility powered by residual heat, concentrating contaminants so that only the concentrate requires destruction — while serving as an innovation centre for optimising PFAS purification technology.
1,500 m³
PFAS water treated per year
90%
waste volume reduction
30%
lower costs vs. full incineration
5 m³/day
treatment capacity
2024
production start
Only the concentrate is sent for high-temperature incineration, cutting treatment costs by approximately 30% compared to incinerating the full water volume.
90% of the PFAS-contaminated water becomes clean water, drastically reducing the volume that needs to be destroyed.
Through the partnership with Stena Recycling, the facility serves as a hub where industrial PFAS-contaminated water from multiple operators across Sweden and the Nordics can be collected and safely treated.
The partnership with Stena Recycling enables secure, local, and energy-efficient PFAS treatment while Helios continues to develop the technology in practical operation.
The facility demonstrates how PFAS-contaminated water can be handled safely, locally, and energy-efficiently — a model that can be replicated at industrial sites across Europe as PFAS regulations tighten.
47–100%
Waterways exceeding PFOS limits
470 t
PFAS released annually in the EU
60%
EU firefighting foam contains PFAS
Get in touch to discuss how Helios can treat your PFAS water streams safely and cost-effectively.
