When city leaders talk about infrastructure challenges, few issues rank higher than biosolids management and the rising concerns about “forever chemicals,” scientifically known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Municipalities are under increasing pressure from regulators and residents alike to ensure safe, sustainable biosolids disposal. 

For Aries Clean Technologies, the solution is obvious, and transformational. With a patented gasification system and proven operations at scale, Aries is offering municipalities a better path forward: reliable biosolids management for over a million people per facility paired with validated PFAS destruction of more than 97 percent. 

A Model Built for Municipalities 

Aries partners with municipalities under a DBOOM model—Design, Build, Own, Operate, and Maintain. This approach ensures cities can rely on a long-term, predictable solutions rather than short-term contracts. Each Aries facility is designed for a 30-year life, locking in disposal costs while guaranteeing performance. 

Partnering with Aries is designed to be straightforward. Because facilities are delivered under the DBOOM model, municipalities don’t carry the capital and operating costs.  Aries also provides flexibility on siting it’s projects by either co-locating at a wastewater treatment plant or obtaining land close to biosolids generators, minimizing transportation distances. From there, Aries can partner regionally with numerous wastewater utilities to collect feedstock, ensuring a reliable and long-term solution for biosolids management in the region. 

  “Municipal leaders want certainty,” said Aries Clean Technologies CEO Jon Cozens. “Our technology destroys PFAS in biosolids at commercial scale, while providing communities with a long-term, reliable option for waste management. Cities don’t have to choose between environmental responsibility and fiscal responsibility—they can have both.” 

Technology That Delivers Results 

Independent testing has confirmed what Aries engineers and municipal partners have already seen firsthand: the company’s patented gasification system des

troys more than 97 percent of PFAS compounds in biosolids. Alongside established approaches such as landfilling, incineration and land application, gasification offers a new path: it breaks the PFAS cycle by removing these compounds from biosolids before they can accumulate in the environment. 

Each Aries facility can process over 400 wet tons of biosolids daily—the waste generated by more than 1 million people. The process not only neutralizes contaminants, it also generates a useful producer gas, which powers plant operations and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. 

“With Aries, PFAS destruction isn’t just a promise—it’s been proven through mass balance testing,” Jon Cozens emphasized.

From Concept to Commercial Scale 

Aries’ proof-of-concept facility in Linden, N.J., is operational, providing a real-world demonstration of gasification at scale. There, biosolids from municipal partners are safely processed, PFAS compounds destroyed, and energy recovered.

Derek Armstead, mayor of Linden, called the partnership a milestone for his city. “The most rewarding aspect of our partnership with Aries is knowing that here in Linden, we have taken a giant step toward reducing the carbon footprint, which is one of the most important things we can do for our children and future generations,” he said. 

Building on that success, Aries has secured site control and is preparing to break ground on a new facility in southern Maine in 2026. Once operational, it will serve as the region’s first large-scale biosolids gasification plant, expanding capacity and reinforcing the model’s scalability. 

Meeting Regulatory and Community Needs 

Municipal executives and utility directors face increasing scrutiny over PFAS contamination, often with limited resources and few disposal options. Aries aims to change that dynamic. By offering a solution that is independently validated, scalable, and financially predictable, the company is positioning itself as a trusted partner for cities nationwide. 

“Public works leaders are looking for technology they can count on—not just for today, but for decades,” Jon Cozens said. “Our facilities are designed to be that dependable solution.” 

Benefits Beyond Destruction 

The advantages extend beyond PFAS elimination.  

• By reducing waste volumes locally via gasification, Aries technology cuts down on transportation emissions and landfill usage.  

• Facilities also create local jobs and generate new tax revenue streams for host communities.  

• The toilet flushes every day, good economy or bad, Aries facilities are exceptionally resilient to economic downturns. 

• Aries’s long-term business model allows municipalities to lock in disposal rates for tenures attractive to the muncipality, providing cash-flow predictability

  For municipal leaders balancing environmental mandates with economic realities, that combination is compelling. 

A Cleaner, Scalable Future

Across the country, conversations about PFAS contamination and biosolids management are growing louder. For many municipalities, the choice is no longer whether to act, but how quickly they can adopt a sustainable,proven solution. 

Aries Clean Technologies believes its model offers that path. With a proven operational facility, new projects breaking ground, and validated results at scale, the company is positioning itself as the partner cities can rely on in a fast-changing regulatory landscape. 

“Innovation in municipal infrastructure doesn’t happen overnight,” Jon Cozen’s said. “But when it does, it changes everything. We’re proud to provide cities with a tool that protects public health, safeguards the environment, and makes financial sense for decades to come.” 

The post Aries Clean Technologies Named Technology Company of the Year by The Municipal first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

Franklin, TN — April 22, 2025— As the nation faces growing concerns over “forever chemicals” in sewage sludge, Aries Clean Technologies has validated a groundbreaking, commercial scale, gasification process that eliminates 97% of these environmentally persistent compounds, also known as “PFAS” (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances). These compounds are routinely found in biosolids, the byproduct of wastewater treatment, and their presence in biosolids has led to land and water contamination where the material is used in agriculture and landfills.

Aries’ solution, validated by an independent third-party environmental engineering firm, signifies a landmark disruption to the biosolids disposal market. It marks a nationwide first as a technology proven to work at industrial scale, that can safely destroy PFAS in municipal wastewater sludge and yield a PFAS-free bio-ash product that is safe to use in several industries.

Aries’ commercial-scale facility in Linden, New Jersey processes over a million people’s waste every day, no other facility in the US can process this volume while also destroying the “forever chemicals” found in the material. Beyond PFAS elimination, Aries’ gasification process converts biosolids into energy which is used to power the plant. This closed-loop process, coupled with Aries’ ability to site proximal to wastewater facilities and reduce transportation needs offers significant greenhouse gas emission reductions.

A Turning Point for Public Health and Environmental Protection

As the spread of PFAS contamination in arable land and waterways has made the news, throughout the US, a range of States have issued regulations.  Communities need technological options to treat the biosolids that result from their wastewater treatment. Traditional disposal methods – spreading on farmland, depositing in landfills, or incineration – are no longer acceptable as they are sources of contamination, introducing PFAS into air, water, and soil.

Aries’ technology offers a fourth, industrial-scale breakthrough solution to biosolids disposal and the first environmentally-friendly, PFAS-destroying, renewable solution.

This success has nationwide implications. Aries is currently developing its second facility in Maine, with additional sites coming shortly thereafter.

“We’ve proven PFAS can be destroyed—not just displaced,” said Jon Cozens, CEO of Aries Clean Technologies. “This is a breakthrough that municipalities across the country have been waiting for.”

Why This Matters Now

This achievement comes at a critical time. The U.S. EPA’s 2025 draft risk assessment for PFAS in biosolids highlights the urgency of finding effective treatment technologies. Communities across the country are grappling with increasing volumes of biosolids and rising public concern—often with limited disposal alternatives.

Aries’ success proves PFAS destruction is not theoretical, it’s already happening, and now it’s time to bring the solution to all communities.

A Repeatable Model with No Risk to Municipalities

Aries is actively engaging municipalities, state agencies, and private sector partners. Our plants are designed to operate for 30-years, when Aries sites in an area our goal is to be a long-term community partner. The company designs, builds, owns, operates, and manages each facility, removing the financial and operational burden from local communities.

Several projects are in development, including a facility in Maine, expected to break ground in early 2026.

“We’re not asking cities to gamble on unproven tech,” said Cozens. “We’re showing them it’s possible, right now, to safely destroy PFAS, protect public health, and generate renewable energy—all without adding to their budgets or taking on risk.”

Watch this video for an overview of how Aries’ technology works.

Join the Conversation

Municipalities and wastewater treatment facilities face a clear challenge: how to manage PFAS-contaminated biosolids safely and effectively. Aries Clean Technologies invites municipal leaders, regulators, and industry professionals to a free webinar:

PFAS Destruction: The Role of Gasification in Addressing Forever Chemicals in Biosolids

• Date: Tuesday, May 13, 2025
• Time: 11 AM PT | 12 PM CT | 1 PM ET

Register here

__________________________________

About Aries Clean Technologies

Aries Clean Technologies helps communities transform what was once considered waste into a valuable resource. Its patented gasification process delivers measurable environmental benefits—destroying PFAS, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, diverting biosolids from landfills, and creating usable energy and materials. Learn more at www.ariescleantech.com.

For Media Inquiries and Interviews

Aries Clean Technologies’ CEO, Jon Cozens, and key technical experts are available for interviews to discuss what this breakthrough means for PFAS policy, public health, and sustainable infrastructure.

Who’s Backing This Breakthrough

Potential spokespeople for media coverage include:

• Municipal officials from Linden, NJ, where the technology was first demonstrated
• Independent validators from Barr Engineering and Epsilon Associates
• Biosolids managers seeking scalable, sustainable PFAS solutions
• Investors like Spring Lane Capital, who are backing Aries because they believe in its mission and the national importance of solving the PFAS crisis through innovation

Contact for Interviews, Images, and Additional Insights:

Shyla Lindner

Marketing Manager, Aries

shyla.lindner@ariescleantech.com

The post Aries Clean Technologies Proves Commercial-Scale PFAS Destruction in Wastewater Biosolids first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

Today, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released a 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐏𝐅𝐎𝐀 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐏𝐅𝐎𝐒, shedding light on the potential human and environmental risks associated with the presence of these persistent chemicals in wastewater sludge (aka biosolids).

This document reflects the latest scientific understanding of these risks and marks an important step toward addressing the challenges posed by PFAS.

At Aries, we are deeply committed to advancing sustainable solutions for biosolids management. Our innovative gasification technology not only converts biosolids into renewable energy but also 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐲𝐬 𝐏𝐅𝐀𝐒 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐬, ensuring a cleaner and safer future.

𝐎𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐰𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐞𝐫, 𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐟𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞—one where the challenges posed by pollutants like PFAS can be met with forward-thinking approaches. By converting biosolids into energy and destroying PFAS, we aim to contribute to the circular economy and a more sustainable future.

This report is an important reminder of why collaboration across industries, governments, and communities is vital to tackling these challenges together.

Explore these documents to gain insight and prepare for the 60-day public comment period: 

1. 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐅𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐥 𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐞
   • A summary of the draft risk assessment, its objectives, and the public comment process.
   • Ideal for a high-level overview and procedural details.
2. 𝐃𝐫𝐚𝐟𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐒𝐥𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭
   • The full report detailing the EPA’s findings on potential risks from PFOA and PFOS in biosolids.
   • Recommended for stakeholders seeking an in-depth understanding of the risk assessment and modeling approaches.
3. 𝐄𝐏𝐀 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐏𝐞𝐞𝐫 𝐑𝐞𝐯𝐢𝐞𝐰 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
   • Explains how the EPA incorporated feedback from scientific reviewers into the draft.
   • Useful for those interested in the peer review process and updates made.
4. 𝐑𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐒𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐒𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐁𝐨𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬
   • Focuses on responses to key scientific questions raised by the advisory board.
   • Great for understanding how the EPA addressed expert critiques.
5. 𝐅𝐫𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐐𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐀𝐧𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐬
   • Quick, accessible insights into the most common questions about the draft assessment.
   • Perfect for anyone looking for straightforward explanations.

The post BREAKING NEWS: EPA’s Latest PFAS Risk Assessment – What It Means for Biosolids Management first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

By: Hiroko Tabuchi, covers pollution and the environment for The Times. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years in Tokyo and New York.

In early 2000, scientists at 3M, the chemicals giant, made a startling discovery: High levels of PFAS, the virtually indestructible “forever chemicals” used in nonstick pans, stain-resistant carpets and many other products were turning up in the nation’s sewage.

The researchers were concerned. The data suggested that the toxic chemicals, made by 3M, were fast becoming ubiquitous in the environment. The company’s research had already linked exposure to birth defects, cancer and more.

That sewage was being used as fertilizer on farmland nationwide, a practice encouraged by the Environmental Protection Agency. The presence of PFAS in the sewage meant those chemicals were being unwittingly spread on fields across the country.

3M didn’t publish the research, but the company did share its findings with the E.P.A. at a 2003 meeting, according to 3M documents reviewed by the The New York Times. The research and the E.P.A.’s knowledge of it has not been previously reported.

The post Article: Sewage sludge, the raw material for fertilizer, & the issue of PFAS first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

This First-of-its-Kind Gasification Technology Converts Biosolid Waste to Energy,  Making Communities in the New Jersey/New York Area Cleaner and Healthier

Franklin, TN — October 8, 2024 — Aries Clean Technologies (Aries), a leader in biosolids gasification, announced today that its facility in Linden, New Jersey, has demonstrated extended stable operations. Rather than the traditional landfill or incineration approach to disposing of wastewater sludge, Aries’ fluidized bed gasification captures the energy in the biosolids to power the plant’s drying process. This circular method reduces local pollution, improves the region’s carbon footprint, and creates cleaner communities across the metropolitan New York and New Jersey area.

Aries Linden Biosolids Gasification Plant is designed to process 400 tons of municipal wastewater per day in a more environmentally sustainable and efficient process than the current alternatives like landfills and land application. It prevents harmful chemicals from seeping into local land or waterways and captures the energy from the biosolids of over 500,000 households annually, energy that otherwise would be lost. The Linden biosolids gasification plant is currently the largest facility of its kind in the world.

As Linden’s Mayor, Derek Armstead said, “The City of Linden is proud to have Aries Clean Technologies in our community. Their plant provides employment to dozens of skilled workers and their innovative technology is making our neighborhoods cleaner, greener, and healthier. We are excited about our partnership with Aries and the sustainability progress we are making.”

Aries has a pipeline of projects in development with the goal of owning and operating patented waste technology facilities across the US and beyond. Aries’ innovative conversion of biosolids to value will significantly reduce carbon emissions and minimize contribution to landfills, enabling municipalities across the country to reach their environmental goals. In addition to the Linden plant, Aries intends to construct a multitude of similar projects in the next four years, with a long-term pipeline of dozens of domestic and international opportunities.

“We are excited and proud of the Aries team and the terrific accomplishment of opening the Linden plant. This plant is a great idea that has taken a long time to come to fruition. It could not have happened without the folks at Aries, and the tremendous support we have from the Linden community and Mayor Armstead,” said Jon Cozens, CEO of Aries Clean Technologies. “We are very focused on operating the plant reliably and safely, and making a large, positive impact on the waste disposal problem in New Jersey. My wife and I grew up in New Jersey, and I am personally proud that I can have such a positive environmental impact on my home state.”

Aries’ gasification technology operates at temperatures required to destroy forever-chemicals, like PFAS. Rather than leaching into the ground or waterways, forever chemicals are deconstructed at high temperature and converted into a safe producer gas that powers the plant. All parts of the facility have now demonstrated extended stable operations.

“The opening of the Aries Linden facility and its low-carbon solution represents a pivotal moment in the movement towards fully sustainable waste management,” said Nikhil Garg, Partner and Co-founder of Spring Lane Capital, an Aries investor. “Linden turns a critical environmental challenge into a source of clean energy and marks a significant step towards our goal at Spring Lane Capital of scaling impactful solutions across the nation. The success of the Linden plant is an example of how strategic investments can drive both environmental sustainability and economic growth. We are committed to supporting ventures like this which pave the way for a greener, more sustainable future.”

Compared to other biosolid disposal technologies, Aries’ plant operates at a scale designed to process 400 tons per day – roughly the waste generated by one million people — and is a closed loop facility, creating energy to power the plant through the biosolid destruction process. By using the energy available in the wastewater biosolids Aries is offsetting the use of fossil fuels. The Linden facility is located within 20 miles of Manhattan, offering a proximal disposal option versus trucking the waste up to 50 miles or more to available landfills.

The Aries facility is located at the Linden Roselle Sewage Authority (LRSA) plant. Jeffrey Williams, Executive Director of LRSA said, “By co-locating at our LRSA site, Aries can directly utilize the biosolid waste from our treatment facility, saving us money and helping us take another step forward to cleaner, more sustainable operations.”

Launched in 2017, Aries Clean Technologies provides innovative solutions to the human waste dilemma. Every year, the U.S. produces roughly eight million dry tons of biosolids – with limited options for safe and sustainable disposal. Aries designs, builds, owns, and operates proprietary fluidized bed gasification systems that provide environmentally friendly, sustainable solutions for biosolids conversion to clean thermal energy. There is no burning or incineration involved in the fluidized bed gasification system. The company is making significant strides in reducing carbon emissions by avoiding the transportation of biosolids to landfills. By utilizing advanced technology at just one facility, the company eliminates the need for over twenty trucks to transport 400 tons of biosolids, sometimes more than 50 miles away, that would otherwise be landfilled, land applied, or incinerated.

About Aries Clean Technologies

Aries Clean Technologies enables corporate and municipal clients to cleanly convert waste. Deployment of Aries’ patented technologies also bring measurable environmental benefits, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, diversion of waste and biosolids from landfills, and sustainable destruction of PFAS (forever chemicals). For more information, please visit our website: www.ariescleantech.com.

Media Contact

Shyla Lindner
Marketing Manager, Aries
shyla.lindner@ariescleantech.com

The post PRESS RELEASE: Aries Clean Technologies Announces that its Linden, NJ Gasification Technology Achieved Integrated Operations first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

Farmers, landowners and government agencies have been using treated sewage to fertilize land in Tennessee for decades, but the practice is being increasingly scrutinized: Sewage sludge can be contaminated with toxic chemical compounds known as PFAS.

The latest evidence comes from northeastern Tennessee.

Earlier this year, the Sierra Club tested soil, groundwater and drinking water in Sullivan County near historic or current usage sites of sewage sludge, also called “biosolids,” and found PFAS at each location, according to a new report.

“It’s a complicated problem,” said Dan Firth, a waste expert for the Sierra Club’s Tennessee Chapter and author of the report. “An immediate thing we can do is stop applying the biosolids now.”

How sewage can lead to PFAS-contaminated drinking water

After sewage or industrial discharge swirls down pipes, it ends up in wastewater treatment plants. These plants will treat the waste, and the solid leftovers may be turned into biosolids and distributed as fertilizers. Many farmers and landowners spread this product across their fields: In the U.S., about 60% of biosolids are used on land as fertilizers.

Facilities test for pathogens and heavy metals, like lead, but most states do not test sludge for PFAS, which can come from industrial waste or even toilet paper.

When landowners spread sludge, PFAS can wash off fields into nearby rivers, leach into the groundwater, be absorbed by plants and pollute local drinking water.

“As we’re continuing to apply these contaminated biosolids to the land, we’re putting our water resources at risk in addition to the land,” Firth said.  “PFAS flows into the water.”

And these pollutants can contaminate resources far from the original application sites.

PFAS are linked to cancer, reproductive issues

PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a class of about 15,000 synthetic chemical compounds placed in numerous industrial and consumer products, ranging from dental floss and lipstick to ink and waterproof apparel. The compounds do not break down or degrade once present in the environment, accumulating in soil, water, animals and people. PFAS, often nicknamed “forever chemicals,” are linked to many health problems, including some cancers and reproductive issues.

The Sierra Club collected soil and water samples in Sullivan County from a field where sludge was applied historically, a field adjacent to a field where sludge is currently being applied, and a drinking water well near fields where sludge is applied. The wastewater treatment plant in Bristol, Tenn. and Bristol, Va. produces sludge with local sewage and discharges from two local landfills, and this sludge is being spread in eastern Sullivan County.

PFAS were detected at each site tested, according to the report.

But this is just one example.

“Biosolids are being applied across the state,” Firth said.

Locally, Metro Water Services in Nashville manufactures a fertilizer called “Music City Gold” from its wastewater treatment plant. In 2022, the Sierra Club detected PFAS in this product, which meets EPA’s current requirements for a “Class A” biosolid and is being sold as a home fertilizer to Nashville residents. (Only “Class B” biosolid use is tracked.)

PFAS levels in Tennessee may be higher than early tests show

This type of testing only reveals part of the problem. Typical testing methods scan for 40 PFAS compounds, Firth said, among the now-estimated 15,000 compounds. To fill in some gaps in the latest round of sampling, the Sierra Club examined the total organic fluorine to better reflect total PFAS levels.

“By comparing the fluorine that arises from the measured PFAS compounds and comparing it to the total, we get an idea of how much PFAS we are not measuring,” Firth said.

The fluorine analysis indicated that the untargeted PFAS compounds are potentially hundreds to thousands of times higher than the detected concentrations.

“We do know that they are there and that many of them will break down into toxic compounds and leach into the soil, the groundwater and surface waters,” Firth added.

Some states are banning biosolid use on land

Maine banned sewage sludge as a fertilizer in 2022, citing PFAS concerns. Connecticut became the second state to do so this year with legislation that also phases out products with “intentionally added” PFAS, like firefighting gear and menstruation products.

Maine is the only state that has systematically tested farmland for PFAS, which samples show has contaminated more than 70 farms and disrupted people’s livelihoods — sometimes from sludge that was spread decades earlier.

Firth said companies need to stop using PFAS, but, until then, Tennessee should also ban sewage sludge as a fertilizer.

The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is holding a public hearing on Sept. 5 at 1 p.m. to discuss the permit that authorizes land application of biosolids. Any member of the public can email written comments to John Newberry at john.newberry@tn.gov until Sept. 20.

Original Link: https://wpln.org/post/pfas-contaminated-sewage-sludge-is-spreading-across-tennessee-lands-the-state-might-intervene/ 

The post PFAS-Contaminated Sewage Sludge is Spreading Across Tennessee Lands. The State Might Intervene. first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

Franklin, TN – July 31, 2024 – Aries Clean Technologies, a pioneer in biosolids gasification technology, is pleased to announce that Spring Lane Capital has committed further investment, demonstrating continued confidence in Aries’ innovative solution. This additional funding will support Aries’ mission to expand its footprint and develop more state-of-the-art facilities across the United States. 

Spring Lane Capital’s investment underscores the success and potential of Aries’ patented gasification technology, transforming waste into renewable energy and valuable byproducts. This technology not only provides a sustainable solution for biosolid waste management but it also addresses critical environmental challenges by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and eliminating harmful PFAS chemicals. 

“We are thrilled with Spring Lane Capital’s ongoing commitment,” said Jon Cozens, CEO of Aries Clean Technologies. “This investment allows us to accelerate our expansion plans and bring our first-of-its-kind technology to more communities. Our goal is to develop multiple facilities over the next few years, providing a sustainable solution for biosolids management and contributing to a cleaner, healthier environment.” 

Nikhil Garg, Partner and Co-founder of Spring Lane Capital, stated, “We are doubling down on our investment in Aries Clean Technologies because we believe in their vision and the effectiveness of their technology. Aries’ approach to transforming waste into clean energy aligns perfectly with our mission to support ventures that drive environmental sustainability and economic growth. We are excited to be part of their expansion and look forward to the positive impact it will have.” 

The additional funding from Spring Lane Capital marks the beginning of Aries’ ambitious plan to construct three more plants within the next four years, accelerating our mission to manage biosolids sustainably and efficiently. These new facilities will be strategically located to serve high-demand areas, providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional waste disposal methods. 

Aries Clean Technologies’ revolutionary gasification technology operates at high temperatures, breaking down biosolids and converting them into a safe producer gas that powers the plant. This closed-loop system not only reduces the volume of waste but also generates renewable energy, making it a game-changer in the waste management industry. 

For more information about Aries Clean Technologies and their innovative solutions, please visit www.ariescleantech.com. 

Media Contact: 
Shyla Lindner
Aries Clean Technologies, Marketing Manager
775-636-2837
shyla.lindner@ariescleantech.com 

 About Aries Clean Technologies: Based in Franklin, Tennessee, we at Aries Clean Technologies are proud to be a patent holder, manufacturer, and equipment integrator that develops projects using our proven, proprietary gasification systems for municipal and industrial customers. Our disruptive, state-of-the-art, carbon-neutral gasification technology helps solve the biosolids disposal problem through localized systems near biosolids sources.

The post PRESS RELEASE: Spring Lane Capital Doubles Down on Aries Clean Technologies with Further Investment to Support Expansion first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

Public water providers across the U.S. are grappling with new federal Environmental Protection Agency regulations that require them to test their drinking water for toxic PFAS, and reduce the so-called “forever chemicals” to almost zero over the next five years.

The goal is to address increasing concerns about PFAS, a large class of chemicals found in hundreds of everyday products, such as nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing, as well as firefighting foam.

The consequences of exposure to PFAS are long-lasting — the compounds can stay in the environment, and the human bloodstream, for years. The chemicals have been linked to some cancers, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, developmental delays in children and other health conditions.

PA.’s Highest Levels of PFAS Contamination

In Pennsylvania, the most significant PFAS contamination was found at the Brookside Village Mobile Home Park in Berwick, Columbia County, where PFAS levels ranged from 200 to 2,100 parts per trillion. The highest level is more than 500 times the new federal regulations, and more than 100 times the new state regulations.

“Parts of Pennsylvania that were in the thousands caught my attention,” Powley said. “And, those communities would be well advised to take some immediate action, provide bottled water, install home filtration systems.”

Though the EPA states no level of PFAS is safe, the agency has set maximum contaminant levels, or MCLs, for two types of PFAS — PFOA and PFOS — at 4 parts per trillion. The agency said it’s the lowest possible level it can enforce, based on the ability to reliably measure and remove these contaminants from drinking water.

The federal MCLs are much lower, and more restrictive, than Pennsylvania’s regulations, which set an MCL of 14 parts per trillion for PFOA and 18 parts per trillion for PFOS.

For years, the EPA set a non-enforceable health advisory of 70 parts per trillion for PFAS in drinking water that providers could use as guidance, if they chose. The guidance was reduced to almost zero parts per trillion in 2022 after the EPA published a finding that the chemicals are much more dangerous than previously understood.

A representative of Brookside Village said water filtration devices will be installed on residents’ kitchen faucets.

“Brookside Village is working cooperatively with DEP and following established and recommended protocols for additional testing and monitoring,” a spokesperson said in an email.

In the Philadelphia region, some of the highest PFAS levels were in Bucks, Chester and Montgomery counties. All three counties have a history of high PFAS levels, particularly in the Horsham and Warminster communities, where firefighting foam historically was used at military bases.

Here’s a look at drinking water systems in the Philly region that reported PFAS levels exceeding state requirements.

PFAS in Montgomery County

• Audubon Water Company reported PFAS at levels as high as 46 parts per trillion — an increase over previous testing years. However, some water samples met both state and federal standards. Pennsylvania American Water is currently awaiting approval from the Pennsylvania Utilities Commission to acquire Audubon. American plans to connect Audubon’s systems to American’s existing systems in Norristown and Royersford. American has begun construction on a new treatment plant in Royersford.

• Aqua Pennsylvania’s water system in Perkiomen Woods found PFAS at levels between 22 and 17 parts per trillion.
• Red Hill Water Authority reported PFAS levels between 18 and 4.7 parts per trillion among some samples. However, other samples showed no detectable levels of PFAS.

PFAS in Chester County

• The community water system at Perry Phillips Mobile Homes in Coatesville tested for PFAS at levels between 52 and 38 parts per trillion, an increase over previous years.
• Kennett Square Municipal Water Works detected PFAS at levels between 16 and 12 parts per trillion in some water samples. However, there were no detectable levels of PFAS in other test samples.
• The self-run water system at Kings Highway Elementary School in Coatesville had PFAS levels between 22.6 and 6.34 parts per trillion.

PFAS in Bucks County

• Central Bucks East High School’s water system contained PFAS at levels between 23.25 and 11.56 parts per trillion. The Central Bucks School District has since installed filtration systems, bringing its PFAS levels down to non-detectable levels.
• Bucks County Water & Sewer Authority New Hope reported PFAS levels as high as 22 parts per trillion. However, some of its water samples had no detectable level of the chemicals. Only customers in the borough of New Hope and the Riverwoods area are impacted, according to a press release. BCWSA is researching treatment options.
• Doylestown Township Municipal Authority detected PFAS levels between 19.46 and 6.31 parts per trillion. Doylestown has a history of PFAS contamination due to past use of firefighting foam at the county’s public safety training center.
• Northampton Bucks County Municipal Authority detected PFAS levels between 18.48 and 6.2 parts per trillion. However, some water samples found no detectable levels of PFAS.

Evaluating PFAS detection, treatment

Some larger investor-owned water providers had more favorable PFAS results. For instance, a majority of Pennsylvania American Water’s systems across Pennslyvania had non-detectable levels of PFAS.

“We have a robust source water protection program at Pennsylvania American Water. We have effective existing filtration at a number of our systems,” said Laura Martin, a spokesperson for Pennsylvania American Water. “And frankly, some of the sources of our systems are in more rural areas where we don’t see as much industrial activity, where we have lower levels or non-detect levels of PFAS in the sources themselves.”

However, there were exceptions at its Yardley, Berwick and Royersford locations, where PFAS levels met state standards, but did not meet federal regulations. American Water does not know the source of the contamination, Martin said.

The company is evaluating a number of treatment systems to determine which technology is most effective at reducing PFAS to levels below the new federal standards.

“We want our customers to be assured that we have a plan, that we’ll be in compliance with these new EPA regulations,” Martin said. “We also believe that all water and wastewater utility providers, regardless of ownership, should have equal access to federal and state funding related to treating PFAS.”

Fewer than 30% of Aqua Pennsylvania’s water systems had PFAS levels above the EPA’s standards. A majority of the systems with PFAS levels above 4 parts per trillion were in Chester and Montgomery counties.

Half of the Philadelphia Water Department’s samples had PFAS levels above the new federal regulation (between 7.3 and 4.2 parts per trillion), while the other half were within the 4 parts per trillion threshold.

Drinking water with no detectable level of PFAS may still contain the chemicals, said Chuck Powley of PFAS Solutions. That’s because low levels of the chemicals are sometimes difficult for tests to detect.

There are a number of possible reasons why PFAS levels are higher among water systems run by small municipalities, communities and schools, Powley said.

“First of all, a lot of the larger water companies have already installed carbon filtration systems on their outgoing water,” he said. “Another reason is just bad luck. Maybe these were private wells that were drilled pretty shallow, and they had the misfortune of being located near some sort of site that’s either active or legacy that had a lot of PFAS exposure, at one time, particularly the firefighting foam.”

Powley recommends that anyone concerned about PFAS levels in their water should consider installing a filtration system, particularly when levels are high.

Water providers now have up to three years to test their water for PFAS, and if high levels of the chemicals are found, they will have another two years to install treatment systems.

A Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection spokesperson said the agency is working with water providers with high levels of PFAS to identify treatment solutions to reduce the chemicals to levels below both the state and federal standards.

Original Link: https://whyy.org/articles/pennsylvania-pfas-levels-philadelphia-suburbs-contamination/

The post ARTICLE: 19% of PA Water Systems Exceed New EPA PFAS Standards first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

Eight years ago, Maine uncovered the edge of a vast agricultural problem when PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) surfaced on a third-generation dairy farm. The toxic fluorinated compounds in the farm’s water, soil, pasture grasses and milk traced back to wastewater sludge spread on fields more than a decade earlier.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and most state agricultural departments still promote land-spreading as a “beneficial use” of sludge, despite knowing that the “forever chemicals” it contains pose serious health risks, disrupting hormonal, immune and reproductive systems and increasing the risk of various cancers.

Among more than 700 chemical compounds the EPA has identified in the residual wastewater sludge that industry terms “biosolids,” PFAS are nearly universal. “What’s different about Maine is that we’re actually looking for it,” says Sarah Alexander, executive director of the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). To date, state agencies in Maine have found more than 70 PFAS-contaminated farms, a handful of which have had to cease all food production.

In 2022, Maine became the first state to ban land application of sludge and the sale of compost containing sludge. No such protections exist for the larger U.S. food supply, Alexander notes. Each year, more than half of the nation’s sewage sludge is land-applied, the EPA reports, with 31 percent spread on agricultural lands and the balance going to settings like home gardens, landscaping, athletic fields, golf courses and parks.

To force faster adoption of federal regulations governing PFAS in sludge, MOFGA announced last week its intent to join a lawsuit against the EPA with Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER), an environmental watchdog group that notified the EPA in February of its intent to sue. That action followed sludge contamination incidents affecting farmers in Texas, South Carolina, Michiganand other states.

“A patchwork approach across the states is not going to work,” Alexander says; what’s needed is a coordinated and timely response from the EPA, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

The EPA plans to complete a risk assessment this year of two PFAS compounds commonly found in sludge, but Alexander says that’s “too little and way too late.”

The Clean Water Act mandates that the EPA review sewage sludge regulations every two years and address pollutants that could be harmful. According to MOFGA, the EPA has promulgated only nine regulations governing land application of sewage sludge. At least 12 of the PFAS found to date in sludge have clear scientific evidence demonstrating public harm, MOFGA asserts.

Evidence of risks from sludge has been accumulating for decades. A 1997 report by the Cornell University Waste Management Institute urged the EPA to adopt stricter sludge regulations and “take a closer look at the contents of sewage sludges and the conditions under which they are applied.”

“Sewage sludge is widely suspected as a major sink” of PFAS, researchers wrote in 2005, since the compounds adsorb to solids during wastewater treatment. Christopher Higgins, an environmental engineering professor at the Colorado School of Mines, coauthored that research and worked with colleagues on a 2011 published study that found PFAS levels in soil rose proportionate to the volume of municipal sludge applied. By then, the EPA had confronted record-high levels of PFAS on Alabama pastures treated with sludge that incorporated waste from a fluorochemical manufacturer.

Higgins recalls trying to convince the EPA and wastewater industry associations that a multi-million-dollar research program was needed to assess the risks that PFAS in sludge might pose for groundwater, soil health and the food supply, but he says “there was no real interest in doing the research and asking the hard questions.” When he presented study findings to waste industry officials, he recalls that “they wanted to stick their heads in the sand and say there is no problem.”

When EPA established drinking water standards this spring for some prevalent PFAS compounds, the agency acknowledged that “there is no level of exposure to these contaminants without risk of health impacts, including certain cancers.” The EPA describes PFAS as “an urgent public health and environmental issue,” but in MOFGA’s estimation, regulation does not yet match rhetoric. “We know the risks are there,” Alexander says. “We want them to take action.”

Widespread use and disposal of PFAS underlies the ongoing contamination of sludge, the EPA wrote in a statement last year. There are no viable means presently to remove PFAS from sludge at scale or to remediate the farm soils that sludge contaminates.

The plight of farmers whose lives were upended by toxic sludge convinced Maine to lead the nation in passing a phased-in ban on PFAS in most products. The only viable means to manage chemicals this persistent and pernicious, legislators realized, is to largely eliminate their use.

“No one can undo the historic contamination of our land,” testified one Maine farmer who lost his home and business due to sludge. “But we know enough now to turn off the tap.”

Original Link: https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/call-sludge-regulation

The post ARTICLE: A Call for Sludge Regulation first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.

FRANKLIN, TN – (July 26, 2023) – Aries Clean Technologies (Aries), a leader in the waste gasification solutions sector, announced today that Jon Cozens has been named Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Cozens joins Aries as it seeks to achieve mechanical completion of the Aries Linden Biosolids Gasification Plant in Linden, New Jersey and further its pipeline of multiple similar projects. The Linden fluidized bed biosolids gasification plant is currently the largest facility of its type in the world. Aries now has multiple projects in development that will similarly deploy its unprecedented waste solutions to significantly reduce carbon emissions, achieve zero-contribution landfill goals across the nation, and destroy PFAS forever chemicals in the waste.

Prior to Aries, Mr. Cozens was President, North America, for Mura Technology, one of the leading advanced plastics recycling technology companies globally. Mr. Cozens brings nearly 20 years of expertise in technology and project development and finance and as been a central figure in the development, financing and construction of several major first-in-its-kind technology waste-to-value commercial-scale projects built in the United States. He has raised well over a billion dollars of capital investment for these and other cutting-edge technologies and projects.

In addition to the Linden plant, Aries intends to construct several like projects in the next four years, with a pipeline of 20 domestic projects and international opportunities. The Aries Taunton Facility is one of the company’s next objectives and will apply learnings from the Linden Facility.

“I am thrilled to join Aries Clean Technologies especially at such an exciting moment where the company is poised for growth,” said Jon Cozens. “We are making significant progress in becoming the world leader in generating clean energy from biosolids, and one of the world’s pre-eminent waste disposal solutions companies. Our goal is to develop a fleet of standardized, reliable, cost-effective biosolids disposal facilities across the U.S. over the next four years. Furthermore, we want to be a great steward of the communities in which our plants operate and be at the forefront of the transition away from simple landfilling of waste into sustainable waste solutions. I am excited to work alongside our talented team of experts to continue advancing the gasification of biosolids at commercial scale.”

“Aries is a pioneer in the sustainable infrastructure marketplace, having developed first to market solutions that are addressing some of the country’s most pressing environmental issues and advancing the circular economy,” said Nikhil Garg, Partner and Co-Founder, Spring Lane Capital, a private equity firm focused on providing hybrid project capital for sustainability solutions, and an investor in Aries Clean Technologies. “Aries’ gasification solutions deploy sustainable PFAS destruction technology, significantly reduce carbon footprints and its new green energy production measurably offsets former use of fossil fuels. Under Jon’s leadership, we expect Aries to continue its rapid expansion and provide strong economic and environmental benefits to communities around the world.”

Launched in 2010, Aries Clean Technologies provides innovative solutions to the human waste dilemma. Every year, the U.S. alone produces seven million dry tons of biosolids – with limited options for safe, sustainable disposal. Aries designs, develops, builds and operates proprietary bio-based gasification systems that provide environmentally friendly, sustainable solutions for biosolids conversion, biomass residue disposal, carbon emission reduction, and production of clean thermal/electrical energy and beneficial Bio-Fly-AshTM or biochar. There is no burning or incineration involved in its gasification systems. The company is making significant strides in reducing carbon emissions by avoiding the transportation of biosolids to landfills. By utilizing advanced technology at just one facility, the company eliminates both the need for 20 trucks to transport 400 tons of biosolids each day and the associated 400 tons of landfill.

Prior to Mura Technology Mr. Cozens was a Managing Director for Fulcrum BioEnergy, and also served as the Chief Commercial Officer at New Energy Risk. Under his tenure, New Energy Risk grew to become one of the most impactful enablers of technology scale-up in the world. He began his career with Pacific Gas and Electric Company in the structured transactions group focused on negotiating power purchase agreements for solar, wind and hydropower. Mr. Cozens holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Lehigh University, and a MSc in Finance from London Business School, where he received one of only two Masters in Finance full-time scholarships.

About Aries Clean Technologies

Aries Clean Technologies develops, designs, builds bio-carbon based downdraft and fluidized bed gasification systems. Our technologies allow us to enable corporate and municipal clients to cleanly convert waste. Deployment of Aries patented technologies also brings measurable environmental benefits, including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, diversion of waste and biosolids from landfills, and sustainable destruction of PFAS forever chemicals. For more information, please visit our website: www.ariescleantech.com

Media Contact
Cindy Stoller
Confluence Partners
+1 917-331-0418
cstoller@confluencepartners.com

The post PRESS RELEASE: Aries Clean Technologies Appoints Jon Cozens as Chief Executive Officer first appeared on Aries Clean Technologies.