From Ginkgo Bioworks to Allonnia: The Science Taking on PFAS Pollution

Описание: Can we really destroy “forever chemicals”?

In this episode of The Stream Podcast, hosts Will Sarni and Tom Freyberg sit down with Nicole Richards, CEO of Allonnia, a US-based company using synthetic biology, enzymes, and microbes to tackle environmental contaminants, including PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances).

PFAS, known as “forever chemicals”, are used in everything from non-stick cookware and waterproof fabrics to firefighting foams and industrial applications. Their strong carbon-fluorine bonds make them nearly impossible to break down, posing major environmental and human health risks.

Following new EPA regulations and major corporate fines related to PFAS contamination, a new wave of startups and scientific innovation has emerged, each racing to develop real PFAS destruction technologies.

Nicole shares how Allonnia is approaching the PFAS problem differently, drawing on her 30 years in chemical engineering and leveraging advances in synthetic biology to create scalable, nature-based solutions. She also discusses how Allonnia launched out of Ginkgo Bioworks’ Ferment Consortium, raised $55 million in funding (including $15M from DARPA), and what it means to bridge the worlds of corporate engineering and cutting-edge biotech.

If you’re interested in PFAS removal, PFAS treatment, PFAS destruction technology, and the future of environmental innovation, this conversation is a must-watch.

🎙️💧
The Stream podcast with Will and Tom, in Season 8, focuses on individuals who have made a dent in the water universe. Whether it’s building and scaling a novel water innovation, influencing public policy, or enabling access to water and sanitation, we are inviting guests who have made a significant impact during their careers.

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💧 LinkedIn: / atlantean-media
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About Will & Tom
Will Sarni is the founder and CEO of Water Foundry a water strategy consultancy. He is also the Founder and General Partner of Water Foundry Ventures, a water technology venture fund focused on addressing water scarcity, quality and equitable access to water. He has been a sustainability and water strategy advisor to multinationals, water technology companies, investors, and non-governmental organizations for his entire career.

With over 14 years in the water and climate tech space, award-winning environmental journalist, Tom founded Atlantean Media in 2018 as a boutique digital content and media company. Born out of a need to bring engineering-based content to life, the organisation now represents and advises public and private-sector clients across the water and climate-tech space. The mission? To connect people to water through creative content.

🎧 Audio podcasts streams:
Apple podasts: https://apple.co/2KtCY27
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3eouCWG
Stitcher: https://bit.ly/3grzCvl

Special thanks to this season's sponsor, Raymond James: https://www.raymondjames.com/

And to our fantastic charity partner, Frank Water: https://www.frankwater.com/

And thanks to our knowledge partners:
British Water: https://www.britishwater.co.uk/ | WWF: https://www.wwfca.org/en/our_work/water/
| Water Alliance: https://wateralliance.nl/en/water-all... | DCU Water institute: https://dcuwater.ie/
| SurplusWater25: https://surpluswater2025.com/ | Earth and Environmental Science at Berkeley Lab: https://eesa.lbl.gov/ | Earth Finance: https://www.earthfinance.com/ | Atlantean Media: https://www.atlanteanmedia.com/