Kemira Develops KemConnect™ DEX with EPA-Approved Key Component in the US

Kemira, a global leader in sustainable chemical solutions for water-intensive industries, announced today that it has received US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for its peracetic acid (PFA)-based process water treatment solution, which is a core component of KemConnect DEX.

This approval underscores Kemira's ability to combine chemistry and technology to deliver water treatment facilities with an environmentally friendly and effective water treatment solution as an alternative to chlorine, and to innovate through the use of data that enables real-time monitoring and control.

KemConnect DEX has been in use in Europe for over a decade and was recently deployed in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games. As part of the Grand Paris Sewerage Authority's efforts to make the Seine River swimmable for Olympic and Paralympic athletes, KemConnect DEX was applied as an additional treatment step at the Seine Amont facility, Europe's second-largest wastewater treatment plant, which processes more than 500,000 cubic meters of wastewater per day. In part because of this PFA-based solution, athletes were able to compete in seven river-based events for the first time since the 1900 Paris Olympics.

"Chlorine-based solutions, which have long been used in water treatment, are no longer the most sustainable option, as they can create potentially harmful by-products that may disturb the natural balance of receiving water sources," said Tuija Pohjolainen-Hiltunen, Senior Vice President of Kemira Water Solutions. "This EPA registration is a major milestone for Kemira; it enables us to offer our US customers a more sustainable solution that leaves no harmful by-products and degrades naturally within minutes, while ensuring water safety."

Kemira KemConnect DEX offers a chlorine-free alternative to less sustainable wastewater treatment methods and is supported by powerful technology and data-driven intelligence to optimize operations and reduce energy consumption. The solution is monitored and controlled in a digital platform that collects data from a compact on-site generator measuring wastewater flows and residual PFA. This data is fed into Kemira's proprietary algorithm and helps water treatment facilities optimize PFA dosing for antimicrobial treatment in water while providing greater transparency and predictability to enhance sustainability performance.

"Municipal water and wastewater treatment plants must comply with evolving regulatory requirements while facing challenges such as climate change, rising populations, and resource scarcity," continued Pohjolainen-Hiltunen. "Studies show that with KemConnect DEX, our customers can automatically generate and maintain a continuous PFA residual, keeping bacteria below permitted levels while complying with the latest regulatory requirements."

KemConnect™ DEX will be made commercially available in markets across the United States as the company completes state and local registrations for its core component.

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