Clean Tech Finds Massive Energy Savings in PFAS Treatment

1. BioLargo Inc. is a billboard sponsor of Streetwise Reports and pays SWR a monthly sponsorship fee between US$3,000 and US$6,000.
2. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of BioLargo Inc.
3. Steve Sobek wrote this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an employee.
4. This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company. 
5. This article does not constitute medical advice. Officers, employees and contributors to Streetwise Reports are not licensed medical professionals. Readers should always contact their healthcare professionals for medical advice.

For additional disclosures, please click here.

1. Ownership and Share Structure Information

The information listed above was updated on the date this article was published and was compiled from information from the company and various other data providers.

Clean tech innovation leader BioLargo Inc. (BLGO:OTCQX) announced a significant upgrade to its patented Aqueous Electrostatic Concentrator (AEC) system, reducing energy consumption by over 90% in large-scale "forever chemical" treatment for drinking water compared to previous AEC versions, according to a release on November 3.

This improvement builds on data from May 2025, which showed that the AEC system can offer up to 80% total life cycle cost savings over competing technologies like carbon, due to its efficiency in collecting PFAS molecules and ease of handling PFAS-laden by-products, the company said.

This new energy reduction breakthrough enhances the economic advantages of the AEC over existing technologies, providing an industry-leading combination of cost efficiency, energy performance, and non-detect PFAS removal (below 1 part per trillion) in both drinking water and brackish sources.

"We are solving PFAS treatment under the toughest field conditions," said BioLargo Engineering President Randall Moore. "This breakthrough proves that scalable, energy-efficient PFAS removal is not only achievable — it's ready for deployment at scale."

For a typical municipal system operating at 1,000 gallons per minute using prior-generation AEC technology, the new AEC module can reduce monthly energy costs from approximately US$208,000 to just US$15,700, resulting in annual savings of more than US$2.3 million at US$0.15/kWh power rates.

Even with industrial waters containing higher total dissolved solids than drinking water, the new AEC system achieved an 88% reduction in energy use, demonstrating its versatility and efficiency across various applications, BioLargo said in the release.

"This isn't just an incremental improvement — it's a transformational leap that makes large-scale PFAS treatment even more commercially viable and environmentally sustainable," President and Chief Executive Officer Dennis Calvert noted in a separate email announcing the new process to shareholders.

A 'Full-Service' Water Treatment Solution

BioLargo's AEC technology is highly effective at removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), commonly known as "forever chemicals," which are now regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. With increasingly stringent state and federal regulations and ongoing lawsuits against polluters, there is a growing demand for reliable and cost-effective PFAS removal solutions.

Calvert has said that the AEC technology is perfectly suited for this regulatory environment due to its comprehensive ability to capture all tested PFAS species, its minimal production of waste byproducts (which can increase costs and regulatory challenges for operators), and its cost-effectiveness compared to traditional methods like carbon filtration.

BioLargo has developed a comprehensive "full-service" water treatment solution that combines AEC technology with engineering design, field testing, installation, PFAS collection and  destruction, , and maintenance capabilities, offering clients a true turnkey solution that can generate early revenue for the company during a project's lifecycle.

Designed for Modern Water Infrastructure

Unlike high-pressure membranes or adsorption systems, the AEC platform uses low-voltage electrostatic separation to capture and concentrate PFAS without generating large waste streams, BioLargo said. It requires minimal maintenance, fewer filter replacements, and produces only 1/40,000th the waste of carbon systems. BioLargo also offers integrated collection, destruction, and disposal services for a complete PFAS solution.

"This milestone underscores BioLargo's mission to make clean water both affordable and sustainable," Calvert said in the November 3 release. "PFAS contamination is one of the defining water challenges of our time, and this breakthrough shows how innovation can deliver solutions that meet both environmental and economic imperatives."

Calvert added, "By super-concentrating long, short, and ultra-short chain PFAS molecules, our AEC technology makes destruction and waste handling practical and cost-effective, opening major commercial opportunities as we move toward full-scale deployment. Our first commercial installation in New Jersey is nearing operation, and we look forward to sharing results from that and other upcoming commercial projects that are lining up for a great 2026 and beyond."

Richard Ryan, an analyst with Oak Ridge Financial, wrote on October 30, maintaining his Buy rating on the stock.

Chris Temple of The National Investor commented on the company after a recent announcement about AEC's effectiveness, stating, "BioLargo announced that its regimen to remove PFAS 'forever chemicals' from water is even more robust." Temple also mentioned his plans to visit the energy division in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, where the company is developing its new battery technology, in the coming weeks.

Additionally, Richard Ryan, an analyst with Oak Ridge Financial, has noted, "The large emerging market for PFAS removal and BLGO's growing validation in this opportunity should not be overlooked."

"Clyra Medical and the company's PFAS technology provides investors with underlying support, while BLGO's biggest 'unseen value' opportunity offers investors an interesting 'call option," Ryan wrote on October 30, maintaining his Buy rating on the stock.

The Catalyst: Heightened Awareness of Health Risks

The PFAS filtration market is expected to grow from US$2.13 billion in 2025 to US$2.99 billion by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7% during the forecast period, according to a report by Markets and Markets. The industry is expanding significantly due to heightened awareness of the severe health and environmental risks posed by PFAS.

The chemicals are highly persistent and have been associated with cancer, hormone disruption, immune system effects, and other chronic health issues. Consequently, governments worldwide, especially in North America, Europe, and select regions of Asia, are enforcing stricter regulations on PFAS concentrations in drinking water, industrial wastewater, and consumer products.

These regulatory requirements are driving municipalities and industries to invest in technologies capable of removing PFAS. The primary factors driving market growth include increasing health and environmental concerns, stricter environmental regulations, and a growing demand for clean and safe drinking water.

According to Grand View Research, regulatory agencies like the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) are imposing stricter limits on PFAS levels in drinking water, driving municipalities and industries to implement advanced treatment technologies. Increased investments in wastewater infrastructure, along with technological advancements in adsorption, membrane filtration, and destruction processes, are boosting market adoption across industrial, commercial, and municipal sectors.

"The market presents significant growth opportunities driven by increasing investments in advanced remediation technologies and the emergence of sustainable treatment materials," Grand View said. "The rising focus on green chemistry and circular economy principles is fostering the development of eco-friendly adsorbents, regenerable resins, and PFAS destruction methods such as plasma and electrochemical oxidation."

The growth of public-private partnerships for large-scale contamination cleanup, along with rising demand for decentralized and mobile treatment systems, is creating new opportunities for solution providers, the report said.

Additionally, Grand View noted the integration of digital monitoring tools and AI-driven analytics for real-time PFAS detection is enhancing the operational efficiency and scalability of treatment solutions.

Ownership and Share Structure¹

About 13.8% of BioLargo is owned by insiders and management. They include Chief Science Officer Kenneth Code with 8.19%, CEO Calvert with 3.25%, and Director Jack Strommen with 1.58%.

About 0.04% is held by the institution First American Trust. The rest, about 85%, is retail.

Its market cap is US$48.82 million, with about 308.99 million shares outstanding and about 266.36 million free-floating. It trades in a 52-week range of US$0.32 and US$0.14.