New technology tackles forever chemicals in clean energy transition

6K, a startup based in North Andover, Massachusetts, has developed a microwave-based plasma process called UniMelt, which aims to tackle the issue of 'forever chemicals' (PFAS). With $352 million in venture funding and an additional $134 million from government sources, the company has been working on this PFAS remediation technology for about a year. Aaron Bent, the former CEO and now advisor, emphasized the company's dual capability in creating advanced materials and effectively remediating harmful substances. The technology has potential applications in various sectors, including cleaning up firefighting foam at military sites and semiconductor plants, where PFAS are commonly used. Saurabh Ullal, who took over as CEO in August, expressed optimism about securing a commercial development partner by the end of the year. Previous technologies aimed at reducing PFAS have faced challenges related to cost and scalability, which 6K aims to overcome. In a related development, Flowcarbon, a climate tech startup co-founded by Adam Neumann, has been refunding investors after struggling to launch its 'Goddess Nature Token.' The company cited unfavorable market conditions and resistance from carbon registries as reasons for returning funds instead of continuing to hold them. The impact of the upcoming U.S. elections on environmental policy and the clean energy transition is also a topic of discussion. Experts suggest that while the election outcome may influence regulations, many companies are increasingly adopting sustainable practices as part of their management strategies, indicating a shift towards integrating environmental considerations into business operations.