Proven PFAS Capture.
Resin Efficiency.
Carbon Value.
ArborSORB™ is a proprietary, bio-renewable alternative to synthetic Ion-Exchange (IX) resins and Activated Carbon (AC). Engineered for superior capture of short and long-chain PFAS, our media delivers resin-level removal efficiency at a significantly lower operational cost.
Current PFAS remediation is a game of compromise
Whether you are managing a municipal water system or an industrial site, the legacy media options are increasingly incompatible with the strict new Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs).
COST vs Performance
Currently, the market forces a choice between initial affordability (AC) versus effectivity (IX). All too often, there is no good answer.
Opex vs capEx
Engineers trade lower initial acquisition costs (AC) for a never-ending replacement cycle causing high operational expenditure. Or they chose performance (IX) at significantly elevated up-front capital investment.
PFAS VS MICROPLASTICS
You solve today’s PFAS concerns by introducing tomorrow’s microplastic liability.
Introducing ArborSORB™ – performance without compromise.
Born from years of advanced material science research at the University of Michigan, ArborSORB™ is a proprietary, high-affinity adsorbent using German process engineering to bridge the gap between PFAS capture efficiency and operational economy.
| Feature | Activated Carbon (Granular AC) | Ion-Exchange Resin (IXR) | Sequestro |
|---|---|---|---|
| PERFORMANCE | Struggles with short-chain PFAS; requires long contact times; fouls easily. | High efficiency for most chains, but at a high cost. | Resin-level removal of both short and long-chain PFAS. |
| Kinetics | Slow (>10 min EBCT). Requires massive, expensive tanks and buildings to house them. | Fast (~3 min EBCT). Smaller footprint but high media cost. | Ultrafast (<30 s kinetics). Minimal footprint; maximum throughput. |
| O&M Intensity | High. Frequent change-outs due to low loading capacity and fouling. | Better performance, but often requires pre-treatment infrastructure. | Low. High capacity means longer run-times and fewer change-outs. Low co-contaminant sensitivity. |
| Sustainability | Coal or Coconut husk (Variable quality). | Synthetic Polymers. Introduces microplastic liability. | Bio-Renewable Wood Residuals.
A clean, reliable, and sustainable scaffold. |
| Total Cost | Moderate. Low CAPEX, but high recurring OPEX. | High. Significant initial CAPEX and specialized infrastructure. | Low. GAC-competitive pricing with Resin-level performance. |
How ArborSORB™ Works.
ArborSORB™ isn't just a new material; it’s a proprietary materials platform. We use a simple manufacturing process to transform renewable lignocellulosic scaffolds into high-affinity adsorbents. The result is a media that doesn't just filter water—it actively attracts and locks away PFAS molecules.
The Lignocellulosic Scaffold
Unlike synthetic resins that rely on expensive petroleum-based polymers, our process utilizes the natural, intricate structural features of wood. This provides a massive surface area for PFAS capture at a fraction of the raw material cost.
High-Affinity Surface Engineering
Through our proprietary modification process, we decorate the wood surfaces with active sites, specifically designed to attract and bond with PFAS—pulling them out of the water stream instantly and permanently.
Ultrafast Adsorption Kinetics
Because of the naturally beneficial wood architecture, combined with the high density of active sites, the "Empty Bed Contact Time" (EBCT) is reduced to less than 30 seconds—allowing for higher flow rates through smaller vessels, drastically reducing a treatment site’s physical footprint.
optimal disposal pathways
As a wood-based material, ArborSORB™ integrates seamlessly with existing disposal pathways, most notably landfilling and incineration, and emerging destruction technologies alike, including pyrolysis and microbial digestion.
Born in the Lab.
Built for the Field.
Sequestro is more than a startup; it is the culmination of years of dedicated research at the University of Michigan. Our team of synthetic chemists and engineers didn't just stumble upon a new material—we engineered a solution to the "forever chemical" crisis from the molecular level up.
Our Research Partners & Backers
We are proud to be supported by leading institutions in Michigan’s innovation ecosystem, providing us with the resources to move from TRL 4 to full-scale deployment.
ArborSORB™ Technical Specifications & Performance Advantages
ArborSORB™ is engineered to provide a high-precision alternative to legacy adsorbents. By optimizing particle size distribution and surface chemistry of our lignocellulosic scaffold, we deliver consistent compliance in high-flow, high-stakes remediation scenarios.
Kinetic Performance & Footprint
- Empty Bed Contact Time (EBCT): <30 seconds.
- 1/10th the contact time. This allows for significantly higher flow rates through smaller vessels, drastically reducing the physical footprint and land requirements of the treatment site.
Adsorption Affinity & Capacity
- Target Contaminants: Comprehensive capture of long-chain (PFOA, PFOS) and short-chain (PFBS, PFBA) PFAS.
- Engineering Impact: Our functionalized surface creates powerful electrostatic bonds that delay "breakthrough" compared to carbon. High loading capacity means longer run-times between media change-outs, directly lowering your recurring O&M labor and logistics costs.
Operational Compatibility
- Form Factor: Powdered or granular drop-in media.
- Engineering Impact: Designed for seamless integration into existing infrastructure. ArborSORB™ is compatible with standard pressure vessels and gravity-fed systems currently utilizing GAC or IXR. Upgrade your performance without the capital expense of a total system redesign.
Material Integrity & Quality Control
- Scaffold Source: Chemically-modified, bio-renewable wood residuals.
- Engineering Impact: Unlike coal-based carbons that vary by batch or mineral source, ArborSORB™ offers a consistent, engineered pore structure. The material is inherently free from heavy metals and mineral impurities often found in legacy adsorbents.
The Academic Foundation
Our technology is rooted in peer-reviewed science. We maintain a "data-first" culture, ensuring that every performance claim we make is backed by rigorous laboratory validation, published research, and decades of industry-experience.
Sequestro Technical Capabilities
Learn more about Sequestro’s pilot-scale manufacturing, laboratory infrastructure, process chemistry expertise, and PFAS remediation capabilities. Download our technical capabilities statement for a detailed overview.
Foundational Science Behind ArborSORB™
The science behind ArborSORB™ is rooted in advanced cellulose functionalization and sustainable adsorbent engineering. Explore the foundational publication that inspired Sequestro’s approach to high-performance PFAS capture materials.
Research Driving the Innovation
Sequestro’s technology platform is closely connected to the pioneering work of Prof. Anne McNeil and her ongoing research portfolio at the University of Michigan. Explore her research program and contributions to sustainable materials and advanced chemistry.
Experience the ArborSORB™ Advantage.
We are currently moving from TRL 4 validation to active field pilot coordination. Secure your place in our early adopter network to validate our kinetics with your specific water chemistry.
Are you an Environmental Consultant or Engineering Firm?
If you are designing PFAS solutions for clients and need a media that slashes tank footprints and O&M cycles, let’s review the data together. Our team is available for technical consultations to help you integrate ArborSORB™ into your next P&ID.