【Sustainability and TDK】
How TDK Tackles PFAS Elimination with Cutting-Edge Technology and Manages Water Resources
Water risk*1 is a pressing environmental issue demanding global attention. For the manufacturing industry that relies heavily on water, properly managing water resources and preventing pollution and shortages is paramount. In recent years, concerns over contamination by PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances)*2 and other pollutants have intensified, driving advancements in technologies to remove these chemicals from drinking water and different types of wastewater (industrial, municipal, waste landfill…). This article delves into TDK’s pioneering efforts to eliminate PFAS with cutting-edge technology while showcasing the company’s numerous initiatives focused on safeguarding our water resources.
Water resource issues are intensifying
Water is an indispensable resource in our lives—be it for drinking, food preparation, or everyday activities. Yet, water scarcity and pollution—collectively known as water risk—are rising at an unprecedented rate around the world due to global climate change, population growth, and expanding industrial activities. According to a United Nations report, roughly 2 billion people worldwide are still struggling to access safe drinking water, with approximately 40% of the global population affected by water shortages.
For many manufacturing companies, including TDK, large amounts of water are essential in their production processes. Consequently, efficient water use and wastewater management have become major social responsibility issues at the corporate level.
PFAS water contamination as a rising global concern
A class of chemicals known as PFAS has become a conspicuous water contaminant in recent years. PFAS is a general term that refers to more than 10,000 organic fluorine compounds widely used in everyday items like non-stick cooking pans, food packaging, and firefighting foams due to their water- and oil-repellent and heat-resistant properties. Because of their high chemical stability, these compounds are not easily decomposed in the environment, earning them the label “forever chemicals.” Some PFAS compounds are suspected of promoting liver damage, thyroid disease, obesity, fertility issues, and cancer, raising concerns about their impact on human health and ecosystems.
Countries around the world are currently investigating the possible health and environmental effects of PFAS, with the EU considering regulatory measures that could soon restrict the manufacture, use, and import of PFAS products.
The growing awareness of issues stemming from PFAS has accelerated the development of technologies designed to eliminate PFAS from water, and the market for PFAS treatment solutions is anticipated to expand further in the years ahead.
Meet SUIKI—the team taking on PFAS elimination technology development
Launched in 2023 as an internal startup incubator within TDK, SUIKI is developing a technology to eliminate PFAS from water. Their product, named AQUAHIVE™, employs a unique electrode material created by TDK in an electrochemical oxidation process, destructing the long and stable PFAS chains effectively and efficiently.
Dr. Donald Dibra, General Manager of the SUIKI project team at TDK Management Services GmbH, CM&I , shared his thoughts on the challenges involved. “Our experiments have shown the capability to degrade certain long- and short-chain PFAS molecules that we tested down to 99% of the initial concentration in landfill leachate and industrial wastewater. In our pursuit of eliminating PFAS, SUIKI can leverage TDK’s extensive expertise in materials technology, giving us a significant technical advantage over the competition. Because our technology destroys PFAS (rather than just removes them from water into a different medium), it has the potential to address the problem fundamentally. Low energy consumption, compared to other treatment methods like high-temperature incineration, is another key feature of our process.”
The SUIKI team is also actively assessing market demand. They aim to complete prototype testing by the end of 2024 and conduct pilot trials in Europe in 2025, followed by the product launch. “The global PFAS removal technology market is expected to grow substantially due to increased regulations from various countries and heightened awareness of health risks. We at SUIKI recognize the significance of tackling a mission of this magnitude, with each member bringing their dedication, commitment, and expertise to the table,” added Dr. Dibra.
TDK Group’s water resource initiatives
Water resource issues are crucial challenges that warrant global attention. TDK has been reducing water withdrawal and engaging in environmental conservation activities at its facilities around the globe. TDK’s leadership in transparency and performance in the field of water security*3 has been recognized by CDP, an international nonprofit organization addressing climate change and other environmental issues, naming the company on its “A-List” for four consecutive years. TDK is not only pursuing business activities like SUIKI but also actively promoting measures to address water risk at its operational sites through efforts to reduce water withdrawal, improve water usage efficiency, and recycle water.
Total global water withdrawal trends
Tree-planting activities at the Batam site (Indonesia)
TDK carries out environmental conservation efforts worldwide, including forest preservation and tree-planting activities aimed at protecting water quality. At TDK Electronics’ Batam site in Indonesia, the company conducts an annual reforestation program under the theme “Tree for Life,” supporting the revitalization of water reservoirs and forest ecosystems. In 2024, approximately 1,000 mangroves were planted in a reservoir close to the site. One participant remarked, “I was especially pleased to see the mangrove trees we planted back in 2022 thriving.”
Tree-planting activities at TDK Beech Forest (Akita Prefecture, Japan)
Since 2004, TDK has partnered with local governments and community groups to implement the “TDK Beech Forest” tree-planting program on Mount Chokai in Akita Prefecture, where TDK Group employees take part in reforestation efforts. By the end of 2024, more than 3,000 participants had planted a total of 10,200 trees, covering an area of 27,460 m².
TDK remains committed to restoring and protecting the global environment while promoting sustainable water use. TDK strives to create a sustainable, prosperous society where future generations can all enjoy access to safe water.
SUIKI team members
Terminology
- Water risk: A collective term referring to the risks to companies and society posed by problems related to water, such as shortages, disasters, and pollution.
- PFAS: An abbreviation for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. A generic term for organic fluorine compounds.
- Water security: The condition where all people have access to safe and clean water at all times, and water resources are properly managed and maintained indefinitely into the future.
