PFAS Com­pe­tence Cen­tre, FHNW School of Life Sciences

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), also called forever chemicals, are present in most environments and organisms on earth. They pose a risk to our health and can lead to the development of cancer, immune and metabolic diseases, and reproductive and developmental disorders.

Regulations for reducing the use of PFAS in consumer and industrial products, as well as setting limits for their presence in water, soil, air, and food, are constantly evolving. Companies and government agencies are adapting to meet these regulatory requirements.

The PFAS Competence Centre at the FHNW School of Life Sciences is a leader in analysing PFAS and developing technologies for their removal. We work with industry and government authorities in Switzerland, Europe, and around the world to measure and remediate PFAS.

• Analysing and quantifying PFAS in water, soil, air, plants, food, and organisms using GC-MS, LC-MS, and ion chromatography
• Removing PFAS from water and soil using adsorption, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration, ion exchange, or a combination of these technologies
• Developing measurement and decontamination strategies relating to PFAS

The following research groups and facilities at the FHNW School of Life Sciences can assist industry and government agencies in managing PFAS.

The FHNW School of Life Sciences offers Bachelor, Master, and Continuing Education programmes and courses that include specialised training on the measurement, removal, and management of PFAS. Our curriculum reflects the latest technologies and draws on our practical experience in working with clients.

• Bachelor in Life Sciences, Chemistry (German)
• Bachelor in Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Technologies (German)
• Master in Life Sciences, Analytical Chemistry
• Master in Life Sciences, Environmental Technologies
• SAS PFAS: Current technologies for sustainable industrial processes (German)
• CAS Sustainable Production and Processes (German)

Learn the facts about PFAS

• J. Freilinger et al., “Development of a fluorophilic ion-exchange material with dual binding mechanism for solid-phase extraction of PFAS,” Journal of Hazardous Materials Letters, vol. 6, p. 100158, Nov. 2025, doi: 10.1016/j.hazl.2025.100158.
• R. Häusler et al., “Automated derivatization and sample preparation protocol for ultrashort-chain PFCAs of water samples for GC-MS/MS detection,” Green Analytical Chemistry, vol. 19, p. 100385, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.greeac.2026.100385.
• J. Schobel et al., “A PFAS-selective semifluoroalkylated polyvinylimidazolium resin for reversible adsorption of anionic fluorosurfactants,” Water Research, vol. 303, p. 126201, Jun. 2026, doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2026.126201.