Calgon Carbon has won the 2026 American Water Works Association Innovation Award for research showing that its thermal reactivation process destroys over 99.9% of PFAS captured from drinking water. The peer-reviewed study used EPA methods to confirm that PFAS are eliminated during the reactivation of granular activated carbon, which can then be reused by water utilities. This matters because PFAS contamination is a major water quality issue, and utilities need proven ways to treat it without creating new disposal problems. The technology supports a circular approach where carbon is reactivated and returned to service, reducing waste. Calgon Carbon is also launching Filtrasorb Rx, a reactivated carbon brand based on this research. For anyone tracking industrial decarbonization or circular economy solutions, this is a concrete example of a process that cuts waste and extends the life of treatment materials. The award adds third-party validation to the claims.
