Calgon Carbon Brings Nearly Seven Decades Of Industry Leading Innovative Water Treatment And Reactivation Expertise To AWWA's ACE25

Calgon Carbon, the global leader in activated carbon water treatment solutions, will be exhibiting at booth #1944 at the American Water Works Association's 2025 Annual Conference & Expo (AWWA’s ACE25) taking place June 8-11, 2025, at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, Colorado.

Drawing on almost 85 years of industry leadership and nearly 70 years of specialized expertise in water treatment and granular activated carbon solutions, Calgon Carbon brings unparalleled experience to address today's most challenging water quality issues. The focus this year will once again be on the removal of PFAS from drinking water and reactivation of GAC as a sustainable and proven technology.

Unrivaled Authority on PFAS Removal with FILTRASORB® Technology

FILTRASORB® GAC, Calgon Carbon's flagship product line, has set the industry standard for nearly seven decades with hundreds of millions of pounds manufactured annually from select bituminous coal grades in the United States. Engineered specifically for water treatment, FILTRASORB products deliver superior PFAS and organic contaminant removal required by today's stringent regulations. FILTRASORB GAC combines optimal pore structure and consistent quality to maximize contaminant removal while minimizing operational costs. As an EPA-recognized best available technology (BAT), GAC effectively removes contaminants including PFAS, total organic compounds (TOC), disinfection byproducts (DBPs), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 1,2,3-Trichloropropane (TCP)—with FILTRASORB consistently a top performer across these applications. FILTRASORB sets the standard for effective PFAS treatment strategies, providing utilities with reliable performance backed by innovative research and development, dependable laboratory testing, and extensive field validation.

Pioneering Carbon Reactivation: PFAS Removal and Environmental Leadership

Calgon Carbon’s Custom Municipal Reactivation (CMR) products and services represent a breakthrough in sustainable PFAS treatment, allowing utilities to recycle and reuse their own carbon multiple times. Unlike disposal methods that transfer PFAS to landfills or rely on incineration, Calgon Carbon’s proprietary CMR thermal process removes PFAS compounds from spent activated carbon and destroys these compounds to near non-detect levels. Premium reactivated carbon begins with premium virgin material—GAC from bituminous coal manufactured via reagglomeration, like FILTRASORB GAC, provides the durability needed for multiple reactivation cycles. Reactivated CMR carbon equips customers with an ongoing dedicated supply of domestically produced GAC at a lower cost compared to virgin media while reducing CO₂ emissions by 80%.

Mike Pealer, Calgon Carbon's Vice President of Drinking Water Solutions and Innovative Carbon Technologies states, "We've fundamentally changed how utilities think about spent carbon. What could have been a disposal headache is now a valuable resource. Our customers get their own carbon back, reactivated to like-new performance standards, while minimizing long-term environmental liability. It's a win-win-win for performance, cost, and sustainability."

Calgon Carbon maintains consistent CMR quality by replenishing reactivated carbon as needed with virgin FILTRASORB supply, delivering the same high-performance every cycle. This approach transforms disposal problems into environmental solutions that support cost-effective operations and environmental stewardship.

Advanced Equipment Design for Maximum Efficiency and Extended Carbon Lifespan

Calgon Carbon has manufactured and installed drinking water filtration systems for over 40 years. The company's AquaKnight™ Gold Certified (GC) systems have an established reputation for achieving effective PFAS removal at ultra-low concentrations required by regulatory standards while protecting communities from challenging contaminants as the only total solution provider to manufacture both GAC and equipment. Fine-tuned through decades of field experience, AquaKnight GC systems are engineered from the top down to improve flow, adsorption, and media life. This engineering approach prioritizes performance and practicality, with durable systems designed for swift, seamless carbon exchanges that maximize carbon lifespan. Innovative design features like internal cone underdrains and upper distributors, combined with NSF-61 certification and customizable automation options, ensure optimal performance, longer media life, and reduced operational costs. Calgon Carbon's engineering excellence is demonstrated by systems operating continuously for over four decades, providing the long-term reliability utilities require for critical infrastructure investments.

Decades of Laboratory Excellence: From Bench-Scale to Full-Scale Performance

Calgon Carbon's comprehensive laboratory capabilities represent decades of accumulated knowledge in water treatment analysis. The company has conducted 800+ Rapid Small Scale Column Tests (RSSCTs) in collaboration with its customers since 2001, with specialized PFAS testing capabilities developed and refined over the past two decades as these contaminants emerged as critical water quality concerns. Calgon Carbon performs various bench-scale tests including isotherms, accelerated column tests, computer modeling, and customized experiments to simulate and predict GAC performance in customer specific applications. The company’s extensive testing capabilities enable reliable prediction of full-scale system performance and optimal carbon selection for specific water quality challenges. Backed by hundreds of pending and granted patents and a dedicated team of scientists and engineers, Calgon Carbon has set the industry standard for advancing GAC and reactivation processes through consistently accurate and verifiable testing.

Filter the Facts with Calgon Carbon at Booth 1944 – Because Failure Isn’t an Option at 4 PPT

At AWWA’s ACE25, Calgon Carbon will showcase how its deep specialization in granular activated carbon technology and drinking water treatment translates into practical, best-in-class solutions for today’s regulatory environment. The company's integrated approach of combining advanced carbon products, durable equipment design, and sustainable reactivation services provides utilities and municipalities with comprehensive solutions for emerging and existing contaminants.

“PFAS removal is about protecting communities, safeguarding environments, and ensuring regulatory compliance without compromise. Water utilities need solutions that consistently deliver results, particularly when public health is at stake,” says Jenalle Brewer, Senior Vice President of Drinking Water Solutions, Innovative Carbon Technologies, and Global Strategy & Communications with Calgon Carbon. “Calgon Carbon’s commitment to quality, performance, and environmental responsibility has never been stronger. At ACE25, we’re proud to showcase how our products, services and expertise makes a measurable impact every day.”

Water professionals attending ACE will have the opportunity to learn how Calgon Carbon's legacy of innovation continues to evolve to meet new challenges, from VOCs and DBPs to the latest PFAS treatment requirements. To schedule meetings with Calgon Carbon's technical and sales teams and filter the facts from the industry leader and trusted advisor in the drinking water treatment industry, contact dws@calgoncarbon.com.

About Calgon Carbon Corporation

Calgon Carbon, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Kuraray Co., Ltd. (TYO: 3405) (Kuraray), is a global leader in the manufacturing and/or distribution of innovative coal-, wood- and coconut-based activated carbon products – in granular, powdered, pelletized and cloth form – to meet the most challenging purification demands of customers throughout the world. Calgon Carbon provides purification solutions for more than 700 distinct applications, including drinking water, wastewater, pollution abatement, and a variety of industrial and commercial manufacturing processes. Headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Calgon Carbon employs approximately 1450 people and operates 20 manufacturing, reactivation, innovation and equipment fabrication facilities in the U.S., Asia, and in Europe, where Calgon Carbon is known as Chemviron. Calgon Carbon was acquired by Kuraray in March of 2018. With complementary products and services, the combined organization will continue to focus on providing the highest quality and most innovative activated carbon and filtration media products, equipment, and services to meet customer needs anywhere in the world. Visit CalgonCarbon.com.