Global environmental services company Veolia announced in June 2025 the launch of its new patented technology, Drop®, in Europe, initiating a major project to apply the innovation to hazardous waste treatment. This technology is reported to eliminate up to 99.9999% of PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), which are known to pose significant risks to human health and the environment.
PFAS are a class of synthetic chemicals known for their water-repellent, oil-resistant, and heat-resistant properties. Since the 1940s, they have been widely used in a variety of industrial and consumer products, including non-stick cookware, water-resistant clothing, firefighting foams, and semiconductor manufacturing. Due to the extremely strong carbon-fluorine bonds in PFAS molecules, these substances are highly resistant to degradation, earning the nickname “Forever Chemicals”. Their persistence in the environment and potential for bioaccumulation have raised global concern over their impact on ecosystems and public health.
To address the PFAS crisis, Veolia developed Drop®, a patented incineration-based solution, through years of research at its global R&D centers. Unlike conventional incineration methods that often fail to completely destroy PFAS, the Drop® technology operates at temperatures exceeding 900°C and utilizes specialized catalysts to ensure complete breakdown of PFAS into harmless inorganic substances.
The key to Drop® lies in the introduction of a catalyst during thermal treatment, which accelerates the decomposition of PFAS and neutralizes the acidic gases generated during combustion. This results in a clean, residue-free process while also significantly reducing the risk of corrosion or fouling within the incineration facilities, thereby ensuring long-term operational stability.
Veolia has begun deploying the Drop® technology across 20 dedicated hazardous waste incineration lines in countries including France, Germany, Spain, Poland, the UK, Switzerland, and Hungary. The company aims to further expand its implementation to additional sites and scale up processing capacity, positioning the innovation as a new benchmark for PFAS treatment in Europe.
Regarding the announcement, Catherine Ricou, CEO of Veolia’s Hazardous Waste Europe division, commented, “We are proud to establish a new standard in Europe’s increasingly regulated environmental landscape by achieving up to 99.9999% PFAS removal with Drop®. Veolia remains committed to advancing innovative solutions for complex challenges impacting both the environment and public health.”
The performance of the Drop® technology has been validated through rigorous testing based on EPA-approved methods OTM-45 and OTM-50 since 2022. Through extensive pilot trials, Veolia confirmed that Drop® is highly effective in breaking down both polymer and non-polymer forms of PFAS.
Tests involving PFOS, PFOA, PFHxS, and other major PFAS compounds showed up to 99.9999% elimination efficiency when processed through Drop®-enabled incineration systems, demonstrating the technology’s robustness and precision.
Veolia currently holds the highest number of patents filed and granted globally in the hazardous waste sector. It provides tailored solutions for the entire waste management lifecycle—from analysis and treatment to remediation and final disposal. Drop® plays a central role in this integrated system and will also be applied to upcoming programs such as Beyond PFAS.
About Veolia
The Veolia Group employs 215,000 people across five continents and delivers essential services to communities worldwide. In 2024, it supplied drinking water to 111 million people, sanitation services to 98 million, produced 42 million MWh of energy, and treated 65 million tonnes of waste. Veolia achieved consolidated revenues of €44.7 billion in 2024 and aspires to be the global benchmark for ecological transformation.
