Q&A: Inside PFAS Bans—What They Entail, Why They Matter, What’s at Stake

As a chemical engineer and a leader in air pollution abatement, Anoosheh Oskouian, CEO of Ship & Shore Environmental, Inc., has dedicated her career to helping industries navigate complex environmental challenges such as PFAS regulations.

With an impending ban on PFAS on the horizon, Machine Design spoke with Oskouian and her team based in Long Beach, Calif. for a structured review of what’s at stake.

Machine Design: Help us contextualize in a short summary what the PFAS bans entail, including what audiences should know about the new rules on how regulators worldwide are phasing out PFAS in certain applications.

Anoosheh Oskouian: PFAS, or per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are a group of over 4,700 synthetic chemicals known for their persistence in the environment—often called "forever chemicals" due to their resistance to breaking down. Worldwide regulators are phasing them out in various applications because of their links to health issues such as cancer, immune system effects and developmental problems. Key points to note:

U.S. regulations. The EPA has set strict limits, including enforceable drinking water standards for six PFAS compounds (e.g., PFOA and PFOS) at 4 parts per trillion, with phased bans in food packaging, textiles and firefighting foams by 2024-2026. States like California and Maine have broader bans on PFAS in consumer products.

Global phasing. The EU’s REACH program restricts PFAS in such items as nonstick cookware and waterproof clothing, aiming for a full ban by 2030 in many uses. China and Canada are following suit with restrictions in industrial processes and imports.

What this implies is that industries must transition to alternatives, monitor supply chains and invest in abatement technologies. Deadlines vary, but non-compliance risks fines, legal action and reputational damage. The focus is shifting from production to emissions control in air, water and waste streams.

This regulatory wave emphasizes prevention and destruction over containment, pushing companies toward innovative solutions like thermal oxidizers.

MD: To this end, how can plants cut emissions from inks, coatings and adhesives to meet stricter air/water rules?

AO: Plants dealing with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs) from inks, coatings and adhesives face tightening air and water regulations, such as the U.S. Clean Air Act amendments and EU VOC directives. To reduce emissions effectively, consider the following strategies:

Process optimization. Switch to low-VOC or water-based formulations, which can cut emissions by 50-90% without major infrastructure changes. Implement enclosed mixing systems and automated dispensing to minimize fugitive releases.

Capture and treatment. Use regenerative thermal oxidizers (RTOs) or catalytic oxidizers to destroy VOCs in exhaust streams, achieving 99%+ efficiency. For water rules, integrate wastewater treatment such as advanced oxidation processes to break down contaminants before discharge.

Best practices. Conduct regular audits, train staff on spill prevention and recycle solvents to reduce waste. Combining these can help meet limits, such as the EPA’s 0.05 ppm VOC thresholds, while lowering operational costs through energy recovery.

At Ship & Shore, we tailor these strategies to ensure compliance without disrupting production.

READ MORE: No Doping: Producing a Conducting Ink Without Foreign Substances

MD: Tell us about Ship & Shore’s operating model and how your engineering expertise and services are applied to help customers meet stringent air pollution abatement regulations. Can you discuss a practical example to demonstrate ROI?

AO: Our operating model at Ship & Shore is built on turnkey environmental engineering, where we design, manufacture, install and service custom air pollution abatement systems. With over 20 years of expertise, our team of engineers specializes in thermal oxidation technologies that help customers comply with regulations like the Clean Air Act and state-specific VOC limits.

We start with a thorough site assessment, then engineer solutions like RTOs that integrate seamlessly with existing operations. Our services include permitting assistance, system optimization and ongoing maintenance to maximize uptime and efficiency. This end-to-end approach minimizes downtime and ensures long-term ROI.

A practical example: We worked with a flexographic printing facility facing high VOC emissions from inks and adhesives. We installed a custom RTO that destroyed 99% of pollutants, reducing emissions from 20 tons/year to under 1 ton. The system recovered heat for process reuse, cutting energy costs by 40% and yielding a 2.5-year ROI through fuel savings and avoided fines. The client not only met regulations but also improved their sustainability profile, attracting eco-conscious customers.

MD: Ship & Shore Environmental has developed innovative engineering solutions with its Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers. How adaptable is the RTO solution for different industrial settings, such as varying airflows, PFAS concentrations or integration with existing emission control systems?

AO: Our Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers are highly adaptable, which make them ideal for diverse industrial settings. RTOs work by heating exhaust gases to 1,500-1,800°F so pollutants are broken down into harmless byproducts such as CO2 and water.

When it comes to airflow, the systems are scalable. We’ve designed units that can manage anything from 1,000 SCFM to well over 100,000 SCFM. With modular beds they handle fluctuations via automated controls.

PFAS concentrations are another area where RTOs shine. They are effective across low to high levels (e.g., parts per billion to percent concentrations), as high temperatures ensure complete destruction regardless of load.

And integration doesn’t pose a problem either. RTOs easily bolt onto existing emission controls such as scrubbers or baghouses, with customizable ductwork and energy recovery options.

This flexibility has proven successful in industries from printing to pharmaceuticals, adapting to site-specific needs without major retrofits.

READ MORE: “Mindful Manufacturing” Is Stratasys’ Vision for Sustainable, Scalable 3D Production

MD: Can you elaborate on the destruction and removal efficiency rates your RTOs demonstrate, specifically for PFAS compounds? How are these validated in real-world applications?

AO: Our RTOs demonstrate destruction and removal efficiencies (DRE) of 99.99% or higher for PFAS compounds, validated through rigorous testing. This is achieved by sustaining temperatures above 1,600°F for sufficient dwell time, ensuring even persistent fluorinated bonds are broken.

Validation comes from real-world applications: In a pilot project with a chemical manufacturer, stack tests showed over 99.999% DRE for PFOA and PFOS, confirmed by third-party labs using EPA Method 0010. We’ve replicated this in facilities processing PFAS-laden airstreams, with data published in case studies and regulatory reports. These efficiencies surpass requirements, providing peace of mind amid evolving PFAS rules.

MD: Attendees to Pack Expo 2025 (packaging machinery manufacturers, converters, sustainability managers) may not currently use thermal destruction technologies, yet they could have PFAS issues in their emissions, air streams or processes. What guidance or solutions would you advise as an effective starting point?

AO: I would recommend starting with a proactive assessment. PFAS often lurk in grease-resistant papers or laminates, contributing to air and wastewater streams.

Begin with an emissions audit to identify PFAS sources, using tools like mass spectrometry testing. Then, explore PFAS-free alternatives for materials while implementing capture systems.

Integrate RTOs for thermal destruction of airborne PFAS, which is more reliable than filtration for permanent removal. We offer consultations to evaluate integration, often with quick ROI via energy savings.