PFAS-free regenerated fire suppression powders: Europe’s sustainable solution
The global problem of expired fire extinguishers
Every year, millions of fire extinguishers reach the end of their lifecycle in Europe and worldwide, becoming hazardous waste requiring specialized management. According to recent analyses,
the cost of PFAS environmental remediation in Europe is estimated at €100 billion annually in perpetuity if emissions continue. Improper disposal of extinguishers and fire suppression powders causes serious environmental consequences: traditional ABC and BC powders contain chemicals that can contaminate soil and groundwater. Many traditional powders contain PFAS, persistent chemical compounds in the environment.
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are known as forever chemicals due to their extreme persistence. As highlighted by the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), they contain carbon-fluorine bonds, among the strongest in organic chemistry, which resist environmental degradation. The European Commission has adopted restrictions on PFAS use in firefighting foams in October 2025, with implementation from 2026, starting with a ban in portable extinguishers.
Companies that fail to comply with hazardous waste disposal regulations face significant penalties under European and national laws. In the United States, the EPA finalized in April 2024 the first-ever national drinking water standard to protect 100 million people from PFAS exposure. Producing virgin powders instead of recycling existing ones increases CO2 emissions and natural resource consumption.
Alignment with the European Green Deal and 2030 targets
The European Green Deal establishes the goal of achieving climate neutrality by 2050, with an interim target of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels. Fire suppression powder regeneration activities directly support these strategic objectives.
Through powder regeneration instead of production from scratch, significant contributions are made to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, eliminating the need for high environmental impact production processes for creating virgin powders. The European Commission has set the goal of doubling Europe’s circularity rate from 12% to 24% by 2030 under the Clean Industrial Deal.
The Circular Economy Action Plan aims to halve the amount of residual municipal waste (not recycled) by 2030. Implementing ambitious circular economy measures in Europe can increase EU GDP by 0.5% by 2030, creating approximately 700,000 new jobs, according to official estimates.
The Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR), which entered into force in July 2024, is the cornerstone of the Commission’s approach towards more sustainable and circular products. Sustainability requirements will apply to virtually all physical goods placed on the EU market, impacting almost all sectors.
New Tech Lab: regeneration pioneer in Poland
New Tech Lab is an innovative Polish company specializing in regenerated fire suppression powder production and certified disposal of expired extinguishers, headquartered in Skawina, near Kraków. The company represents a European reference point in transforming hazardous waste related to the fire protection industry into valuable resources.
With years of experience in the fire protection sector, New Tech Lab is the only company in Poland capable of recycling 100% of fire extinguisher components, in full compliance with Polish and European environmental regulations. The company’s mission focuses on a clear goal: ZERO WASTE, completely transforming waste into resources through innovative circular economy practices.
The company operates under permits issued by the Kraków Starost and the Chief Inspector of Environmental Protection, ensuring full compliance with the Polish BDO hazardous waste tracking system. As required by European regulations, fire extinguishers are classified as special hazardous waste due to pressurized gases, chemical powders, and metal components requiring appropriate treatment.
The regeneration process includes certified transport of expired extinguishers from across Europe, reception and cataloging, safe dismantling, metal recovery, powder analysis, regeneration process, quality testing, and packaging. Revenue growth of 37.7% in 2023 confirms the validity of the circular economy-based business model.
PFAS-free certified powders: NTL GREEN and NTL30
Regenerated NTL30 powders (also known as NTL GREEN) are certified as PFAS-free, completely eliminating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. Compliance with the EN615 standard guarantees maximum fire suppression effectiveness, equivalent to virgin powders. According to scientific research, PFAS exposure is linked to health problems including kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, ulcerative colitis, high cholesterol, and pregnancy hypertension. PFAS have been found in blood and breast milk of people and wildlife worldwide.
New Tech Lab’s main products include NTL30 (regenerated ABC powder certified to EN615 standard, PFAS-free), NTL-PHOS (powder with high MAP content – monoammonium phosphate), and additives for creating fire-resistant materials. The regeneration process restores the powders’ original fire suppression properties through proprietary technologies and advanced know-how.
According to the Forever Pollution Project, using data from samples taken between 2003 and 2023, the level of PFAS pollution at thousands of sites across Europe has been revealed. PFAS are absorbed by humans mainly through food and drinking water, highlighting the urgent need for PFAS-free solutions.
The EPA’s final drinking water rule from April 2024 sets Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs) at 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS individually. The rule will reduce PFAS exposure for approximately 100 million people, prevent thousands of deaths, and reduce tens of thousands of serious illnesses, strengthening the need for PFAS-free products.
The regeneration process: from waste to resource
New Tech Lab’s proprietary ABC powder regeneration process follows rigorous ISO9001-certified standards. Organized collection and transport of expired extinguishers occurs from across Europe through certified partners who comply with hazardous waste regulations according to EWC code 16 05 04 for gases in pressure containers containing hazardous substances.
Each batch is registered in the BDO system with a unique identification number, followed by safe dismantling with certified procedures for extinguisher handling and component separation. Metal recovery includes extraction and recycling of steel, aluminum, and other metallic materials. As emphasized by industry experts, extinguisher recycling protects the environment by safely managing chemicals, metals, and plastics that could be harmful if improperly disposed.
The internal ISO9001 laboratory verifies the condition of collected powders before proprietary technologies transform them into certified products. Quality tests verify EN615 standard compliance and PFAS-free certification. Final packaging makes regenerated NTL30 and NTL-PHOS powders ready for commercialization, maintaining the same fire suppression properties as virgin powders with the advantage of being eco-friendly.
Benefits for companies and the environment
For companies
Guaranteed regulatory compliance ensures complete adherence to European directives on hazardous waste and BDO certifications. Regenerated powders offer significant cost reduction, typically 30-50% compared to virgin powders, while maintaining equivalent performance. ESG profile improvement provides demonstrable contribution to corporate sustainability goals through circular economy.
Legal risk elimination is guaranteed by certified hazardous waste management by authorized operators, avoiding penalties provided by European and national regulations. In the UK, the government’s PFAS Plan published in February 2026 sets out an evidence-based approach to tackling persistent chemicals.
Simplified logistics includes organized European transport with certified partners, while certified quality is ensured by the ISO9001 internal laboratory for pre- and post-regeneration quality control.
For the environment
CO2 emission reduction occurs by avoiding virgin powder production and necessary extraction processes. Natural resource protection eliminates waste of raw materials such as phosphates. Pollution prevention guarantees safe management of hazardous chemicals and PFAS.
Circular economy promotion provides a concrete example of production cycle closure, in line with the objectives of the Circular Economy Action Plan which establishes minimum requirements to prevent environmentally harmful products from entering the EU market.
Hazardous waste reduction means every ton of regenerated powder is one ton diverted from landfills. According to recent studies, the cost of PFAS presence remediation in the EU is estimated at approximately $17 billion, highlighting the economic importance of prevention.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently asked questions about fire suppression powder regeneration and European regulatory compliance
PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a group of over 10,000 synthetic chemicals used in numerous industrial and consumer applications. According to the European Chemicals Agency, they contain carbon-fluorine bonds, among the strongest in organic chemistry, which resist degradation. They are called “forever chemicals” because they persist in the environment for decades or centuries. Exposure is linked to kidney and testicular cancer, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, and developmental problems. The EPA’s drinking water standard sets limits at 4 parts per trillion for PFOA and PFOS to protect 100 million people.
Yes, NTL30 regenerated powders are certified to EN615 standard and undergo rigorous testing in ISO9001 laboratories. Fire suppression effectiveness is equivalent to virgin powders, with additional advantages: they are PFAS-free, eco-friendly, and significantly reduce CO2 emissions. The regeneration process restores the powders’ original fire suppression properties through proprietary technologies. Each batch is tested and certified, ensuring compliance with European fire safety regulations. The 100% recovery rate of extinguisher components demonstrates process effectiveness.
The European Green Deal establishes the goal of reducing net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels, achieving climate neutrality by 2050. It includes doubling the circularity rate from 12% to 24% by 2030 according to the Clean Industrial Deal. The Circular Economy Action Plan aims to halve non-recycled municipal waste by 2030. Ambitious measures can increase EU GDP by 0.5%, creating 700,000 new jobs.
Fire extinguishers are classified as special hazardous waste under European regulations due to pressurized gases, chemical powders, and metal components. According to EWC code 16 05 04, they require management by authorized operators licensed for hazardous waste transport and treatment. The process includes safe depressurization, component separation, metal recovery, and appropriate powder treatment. Companies must retain documentation (Waste Transfer Notes, Disposal Certificates) for at least three years. Violations result in significant penalties, fines, and possible criminal proceedings. In April 2024, the EPA designated PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA.
Regenerated powders offer economic savings of 30-50% compared to virgin powders, maintaining EN615-certified equivalent performance. Beyond direct savings, companies benefit from avoided costs: no penalties for non-compliant disposal, reduced hazardous waste disposal costs, and improved ESG profile that can attract investors. Regeneration eliminates raw material extraction costs, energy-intensive production, and intercontinental transport. Return on investment also includes competitive advantages: sustainability certifications, early compliance with future regulations, and improved corporate reputation.
The European Commission adopted in October 2025 a restriction on PFAS in firefighting foams, applicable from 2026, starting with a ban in portable extinguishers. ECHA is evaluating a universal restriction on approximately 10,000 types of PFAS, with final opinions expected in 2026. In 2023, ECHA published the universal PFAS restriction dossier (uPFAS), paving the way for a broad ban under EU’s REACH regulation. The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants has listed PFOS and related substances since 2009 for global restriction, and PFOA and related substances since 2019. The UK published its first PFAS Plan in February 2026.
BDO (Database on products and packaging and on waste management) is the Polish waste and packaging tracking system, mandatory for hazardous waste management. Each batch of extinguishers and powders receives a unique identification number that tracks the entire cycle: collection, transport, treatment, and final destination. The system guarantees full transparency and regulatory compliance, essential for demonstrating proper hazardous waste management during inspections and audits. Companies that do not use BDO for hazardous waste risk administrative and criminal penalties. BDO documentation must be retained for at least 5 years.
Using regenerated powders contributes to all three ESG pillars. Environmental: CO2 emission reduction by avoiding virgin production, PFAS elimination from the environment, practical circular economy application in line with the EU Action Plan. Social: improved fire safety without public health harm, worker protection from hazardous substance exposure. Governance: complete and documented regulatory compliance, hazardous waste management transparency, verifiable ESG reporting. Companies can quantify benefits: tons of CO2 avoided, percentage of recycled materials, early compliance with future regulations.
According to the European Commission, implementing ambitious circular economy measures can increase EU GDP by 0.5% by 2030, creating approximately 700,000 new jobs. The circular economy sector saw a 6% increase in employment between 2012 and 2016. The Action Plan mobilizes private financing through EU instruments such as InvestEU. Over 14 Member States, 8 regions, and 11 cities have developed circular economy strategies. The cost of PFAS remediation highlights the economic value of prevention: avoiding pollution costs less than removing it.
Penalties vary by country but are universally severe. In the United States, the EPA’s April 2024 designation of PFOA and PFOS as hazardous substances under CERCLA enables enforcement against parties who significantly contributed to PFAS release. In the UK, violations can result in thousands of pounds in fines with possible criminal proceedings for responsible parties and directors. Beyond fines, companies face environmental remediation costs, reputational damage, and possible operating license revocation. Inadequate documentation can block ESG audits and sustainability certifications. The EPA proposed in February 2024 listing nine PFAS as RCRA hazardous constituents.
