Landfill leachate is one of the most challenging wastewaters in existence — complex chemistry, PFAS contamination, and volumes that vary with the weather. Our atmospheric evaporation technology concentrates it on-site, cutting disposal volumes by up to 97% and keeping PFAS out of the environment.
Tightening EU regulations on PFAS, ammonia, and dissolved organics are closing off traditional disposal routes — and landfill operators are left with few viable options.
Landfill leachate contains a near-impossible mix of dissolved organics, ammonia, heavy metals, PFAS, and microplastics. Conventional treatment struggles to keep up — and discharge limits keep tightening.
Firefighting foam and persistent pollutants from disposed goods accumulate in leachate. PFAS cannot be destroyed by conventional treatment and are increasingly subject to near-zero discharge thresholds.
Leachate generation fluctuates dramatically with rainfall. Facilities must handle peak volumes that can overwhelm storage and off-site disposal capacity — creating costly bottlenecks.
Off-site leachate disposal by tanker is expensive, emission-heavy, and logistically complex. As regulations tighten, approved disposal routes are becoming scarcer and more costly.
Rather than trying to treat leachate to discharge quality — an increasingly difficult standard — our technology concentrates it. Up to 97% of the liquid volume evaporates as clean water vapour, leaving behind a small, manageable concentrate containing the PFAS, metals, and organics.
That concentrate is a fraction of the original volume — far easier and cheaper to transport and dispose of responsibly. Our unit operates continuously on-site, adapting to seasonal fluctuations automatically. Zero capital cost, fully maintained by us.
90–97%
Volume Reduction
Dramatically less leachate to transport and dispose of
PFAS
Retained in Concentrate
PFAS stays in the small residual — not discharged
0
Upfront Investment
Water-as-a-Service — we own and operate the equipment
24/7
Automated Operation
Runs continuously regardless of volume fluctuations
Waste Management
Challenge
Process water from various industries contains substances that are difficult to treat with conventional technology. Many flows carry high alternative costs and generate large waste volumes if left untreated.
Solution
A full-scale demonstration plant powered by residual heat — continuously treating mixed industrial water streams while serving as a testbed for next-generation purification materials.
Results
Waste Management
Challenge
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.
Solution
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.
Results
Waste Management
Challenge
At the start of Helios’ development journey, practical trials were needed to understand which waste fractions could be handled with the new technology and to identify critical challenges in equipment and operation. The goal was to build knowledge about chemical compositions and behaviour during treatment — and to establish a foundation for future stable, commercial installations.
Solution
Small-scale tests and pilot trials were carried out during 2022, concluding in early 2023. Helios had the opportunity to test different waste types on-site — collecting chemical data, identifying technical improvements, and evaluating a new design. The project delivered valuable insights into both equipment and waste streams, and laid the groundwork for Helios Innovations’ first full-scale plants later built at Stena Recycling in Halmstad.
Results
Waste Management
Challenge
Tank wash water at the facility contained a mix of oil residues, heavy metals, PFAS, and other hazardous substances — making conventional treatment processes insufficient. An effective and flexible solution was needed to ensure discharge levels remained within permitted limits.
Solution
A custom-built evaporation plant operating at atmospheric pressure and approximately 80°C, complemented by activated carbon filters to ensure high purification performance. Advanced process control allows the plant to handle a wide range of contaminants while maintaining operational reliability through continuous monitoring.
Results
How our technology handles persistent fluorinated compounds.
Read moreAtmospheric evaporation explained — no filters, no saturation.
Read moreCompact, modular units suited to landfill and waste sites.
Read moreHow Helios helps waste operators meet sustainability targets.
Read moreGet a free site assessment for your landfill or waste facility. We'll analyse your leachate streams and show you exactly what Helios can deliver.
