Aquagga Appoints Dhileep Sivam as CEO to Lead PFAS Destruction Innovation
D​hileep Sivam as CEO to scale its innovative PFAS destruction technology, tackling the urgent global contamination crisis. With his expertise in clean tech, Sivam is set to lead Aquagga through its next phase of growth and commercialization.
Aquagga, an environmental technology company based in Tacoma, Washington, has appointed Indian American Dhileep Sivam as its new CEO. The startup addresses the challenges of PFAS or "forever chemicals," which contaminate water supplies and pose serious health risks. Under Sivam's leadership, Aquagga aims to expand the impact of its innovative PFAS destruction technology and bring it to the commercial market.
Sivam brings significant experience in clean technology and sustainability to Aquagga. He spent nearly ten years at Intellectual Ventures working alongside Nathan Myhrvold, a former Microsoft executive. He also held key roles at Advance Energy, Bill Gates' climate change initiative, and was an entrepreneur-in-residence at the University of Washington's Clean Energy Institute. This technology and clean energy background positions Sivam to lead Aquagga at a crucial time as the company works to scale its PFAS technology.
Under Sivam's leadership, Aquagga firm has successfully tested its technology in real-world conditions. Field tests at airports, military bases, and industrial facilities have shown the system's effectiveness. The compact technology works at relatively low temperatures and pressures and can handle continuous processing, making it suitable for large-scale applications in diverse contamination scenarios. The organization is developing its commercial-scale Stampede system, which will be in a standard shipping container for easy deployment. This system uses heat pressure and chemical treatments to break down PFAS. Aquagga plans to ship these units by late 2025, offering customers both purchase and lease options.
Aquagga has spent the past five years refining its PFAS removal technology. Aquagga's solution is to destroy 99 percent of PFAS in contaminated water. Unlike traditional methods that capture PFAS, the company's system breaks down the chemicals into harmless components, offering a more sustainable long-term solution.
Aquagga is also exploring the creation of centralized treatment facilities. In this model, customers would bring concentrated PFAS-contaminated water to a central location for processing, much like document shredding services operate. This approach could offer businesses and municipalities a cost-effective and convenient solution for dealing with PFAS contamination. Sivam's appointment comes when regulatory changes create a favorable environment for solutions like Aquagga's. With his leadership and a solid foundation, Aquagga is well-positioned to make a meaningful impact on environmental sustainability and public health.
