Aquagga

What it does

Aquagga builds devices that treat PFAS pollution from concentrated sources using hydrothermal alkaline treatment (HALT), destroying more than 99.99% of PFAS. The company offers three product series: Colt, Steed, and Stampede, available for lease, purchase, or demonstration projects. These units target long-chain to ultra-short-chain forever chemicals, including TFA (trifluoroacetic acid), as highlighted in a case study on pharmaceutical wastewater.

Who it is for

Aquagga serves markets with concentrated PFAS waste streams: industrial wastewater (fluorochemical, pharmaceutical, semiconductor), solid waste and landfill leachate, environmental remediation (military & defense, contaminated sites), and AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) stockpiles and centralized waste disposal. The technology is designed for entities that need to destroy PFAS rather than simply transfer or concentrate it.

Why it matters

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are persistent environmental contaminants linked to health risks. Traditional methods like incineration or adsorption merely transfer the problem. Aquagga’s HALT process claims complete destruction, addressing regulatory pressure and corporate sustainability goals. The company has received backing from seven federal agencies and world-leading research institutions, and has won multiple awards including the EPA Innovative Ways To Destroy PFAS Challenge 2022 Winner and World Economic Forum Uplink “Tackling Water Pollution Challenge” 2025 Top Innovator.

Launch signal

Aquagga has been operational since at least 2020, with a series of awards and press coverage indicating growing traction. Notable milestones include being a Geekwire Sustainable Innovation of the Year Award 2023 Finalist, CleanTech Alliance Emerging Company 2024 Winner, and SEMI Startups for Sustainable Semiconductors 2024 Finalist. The company has also partnered with Enduring Planet to scale climate-friendly PFAS destruction and is featured in outlets like Waste Dive and Aquatech. Upcoming events include SERDP ESTCP Summer Meeting and WEFTEC 2026.

Brand and naming

The name "Aquagga" combines "aqua" (water) with a strong, memorable suffix, suggesting a focus on water treatment and action. The tagline "Destroying PFAS forever chemicals" directly communicates the core value proposition. The brand positions itself as a science-backed, award-winning solution for a pressing environmental problem, with a professional website that emphasizes technical credibility and market readiness.