PORTLAND, Maine, August 27, 2024 — ECT2 (“the Company”), a Montrose Environmental Group company, announced today they have completed the first Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicle foam cleanout of PFAS-laden firefighting foam and transition to a fluorine-free foam in the state of Florida, working with the Naples Airport Authority (NAA).

Aqueous firefighting foams (AFFF) have been widely used for decades to combat fuel and oil fires due to their effectiveness and ease of application. However, it was later discovered that AFFF contains perfluorooctyl sulfonate (PFOS), a synthetic chemical in the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) group. PFOS is toxic to aquatic life and has been found in human and animal blood worldwide, raising significant health concerns.

Production of PFOS was halted in the early 2000s, and efforts to phase out 44 different firefighting foams and components began. However, AFFF continued to be used until a safer, equally effective alternative could be developed. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has been collaborating with the U.S. Department of Defense and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to create and test new, environmentally friendly fluorine-free foam formulas. In January and September 2023, the FAA issued guidance to Part 139 certificated airports on new military specifications for fluorine-free aircraft firefighting foam (F3), and in May 2024, provided transition guidance based on the Department of Defense’s research.

With the approval of new PFAS free firefighting foams on the Qualified Products List (QPL), the FAA has given airports across the country an alternative to PFAS-laden AFFF. Airports can now conduct AFFF exchanges on Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) vehicles to comply with evolving regulations, protect the environment, and enhance safety. The Department of Defense has mandated the transition from PFAS-containing foams to fluorine-free alternatives due to the significant health and environmental risks associated with PFAS. The FAA and many states are following that guidance and instituting their own transition requirements.

ECT2 mobilized to the Naples Airport in June 2024 and performed a cleanout and transition of two ARFF vehicles within the airport’s fire station. The Company’s proprietary process and solvent, which is based on over 30 blends of cleaning chemistry and methodology, collected, and removed PFAS-laden foam residue and concentrated it for off-site disposal, preventing any release of contaminants into the environment.

“We are grateful for the expertise of our partners that have helped the NAA to be an environmental leader in Florida while ensuring we continue to provide exceptional firefighting services for our customers and community,” said NAA Executive Director Chris Rozansky.

David Kempisty, ECT2’s Director of Emerging Contaminants, stated, “These are the types of projects we excel at. To date, we’ve treated over nine billion gallons of PFAS-impacted water, and in doing so, have acquired a lot of experience with what works and what doesn’t. For the Naples Airport Authority AFFF effort, we started in the lab, identified a cleaning solution with better performance characteristics than conventional tap water, and then optimized the process dialing in the right temperatures and times. From ‘a concept’ to project completion, finding solutions to today’s environmental challenges – that’s what makes this work satisfying.”

About ECT2

ECT2, a Montrose Environmental Group company (NYSE: MEG), is a leading provider of technology solutions for removing difficult-to-treat contaminants from water and vapor using a proprietary, cost-effective approach that leverages the properties of synthetic resins to enable efficient analyte removal and on-site regeneration. To date, ECT2 has been awarded 17 patents for the treatment of emerging contaminants and has treated over 9 billion gallons of PFAS-impacted water in five different countries. For more information, please visit www.ect2.com.

About The Naples Airport Authority 

Naples Airport is ideally located within minutes of downtown Naples, the Gulf of Mexico, and I-75, connecting people to the Paradise Coast through an exceptional airport experience. The airport serviced 122,281 annual operations and more than 200,000 passengers last year, while being an engaged, responsive partner to the community. Home to corporate aviation, air charter, car rental, flight schools, and critical public services such as fire/rescue, air ambulance services, mosquito control, and the Collier County Sheriff’s Aviation Unit. The airport also prides itself on being the hub of emergency staging during natural disasters, including hurricanes.

All funds used for the airport’s operation, maintenance and improvements are generated from activities at the airport or federal and state grants from aviation-related user fees. The airport receives no local tax dollars. The Florida Department of Transportation values the airport’s annual economic impact on the community at more than $781 million. For more information, visit www.FlyNaples.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words such as “intend,” “expect”, and “may”, and other similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or that are not statements of historical matters. Forward-looking statements are based on current information available at the time the statements are made and on management’s reasonable belief or expectations with respect to future events, and are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, that could cause actual performance or results to differ materially from the belief or expectations expressed in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Additional factors or events that could cause actual results to differ may also emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect future events, developments or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law. Investors are referred to the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, for additional information regarding the risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

Contacts

Investor Relations:
Rodny Nacier
(949) 988-3383
ir@montrose-env.com

Media Relations:
Sarah Kaiser
(225) 955-1702
pr@montrose-env.com