Ghent University coordinates unique research project on alternatives to PFAS in the medical and pharmaceutical sectors
Rector Petra De Sutter, promotor Kevin Van Geem en IHI project officer John Clifford op de kick-off meeting van PFAROS
(22-09-2026) How can we reduce the use of PFAS in medical and pharmaceutical applications while safeguarding the quality and safety of healthcare? This is the question that 89 European partners will be working to answer over the next five years, starting today.
Europe and the medical and pharmaceutical sectors are investing €44 million in ‘PFAROS: Driving Sustainable Innovation to Minimise PFAS in European Healthcare’. The project was the only one approved this year under the European Commission’s Innovative Health Initiative (IHI) Joint Undertaking programme and brings together no fewer than 89 partners from academia and industry, as well as regulators and policymakers.
Over the next five years, this exceptionally large-scale project will explore ways to eliminate PFAS from healthcare as far as possible. The partners will map the use of PFAS across the healthcare sector, research and develop alternatives, and contribute to a European roadmap for reducing PFAS emissions.
A natural fit for Ghent University
Ghent University is the proud coordinator of PFAROS. Project lead Kevin Van Geem (Faculty of Engineering and Architecture) stresses the importance of collaboration between all stakeholders involved in the project:
“No university, company, healthcare provider, regulator or policymaker can solve the PFAS challenge alone. Its complexity requires a collective approach. PFAROS brings together expertise from across the healthcare ecosystem to develop practical, science-based solutions aimed at reducing PFAS emissions, improving sustainability and safeguarding the resilience of European healthcare.”
The project’s interdisciplinary nature is also reflected within Ghent University itself. Alongside Prof. Van Geem, the research groups of Frederic Lynen and Annemieke Madder (Faculty of Sciences), Steven De Meester (Faculty of Bioscience Engineering) and Gert Goeminne (Faculty of Political and Social Sciences) are contributing to the project.
Rector Petra De Sutter opened the PFAROS kick-off meeting this morning and spoke about research that creates solutions:
“PFAROS is precisely the kind of initiative that embodies this vision. Its ambition extends beyond publications and reports. Its impact should be felt in laboratories, hospitals, companies and regulatory bodies, and ultimately by citizens across Europe.”
PFAROS is the second Innovative Health Initiative project coordinated by Ghent University, following PHARMECO.
Contact
Nathalie De Coensel
Nathalie.DeCoensel@UGent.be
Project Manager, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture
Saskia Vanden Broeck
Saskia.VandenBroeck@UGent.be
Project Manager, University Office for Education and Research (EU Team)