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Slovenian high-tech developer of innovative technology for soil remediation is looking for partners and is ready to join a consortium to apply for forthcoming Horizon Europe calls

Status: Idea
Creation date: 29-08-2022

Project objectives:

Short summary Slovenian high-tech company has developed innovative solution for soil remediation, where toxic pollutants like lead and arsenic are removed from contaminated soil with up to 95 % efficiency. The technology enables soil for safe food production and it can be used in different sectors/environments. To further develop and upgrade the technology, the company is looking for companies, research institutions, and other industry partners to submit project proposals for forthcoming Horizon Europe calls.

Full description Slovenian research and development company has since its foundation in 2009 specialized in research, assessment, development, and engineering of solutions for soil remediation. Population growth, scarcity of soil resources, and pollution intensify the necessity for contaminated soil remediation for food production. For example, around one-quarter of the world’s population is directly affected by soil pollution and approximately 3 million polluted sites are registered only in Europe, without taking into account urban, industrial and military areas. While there are few available technologies like soil washing, phytoremediation, solidification and stabilization, immobilization by various additives, and soil dig and dump, they cannot provide all required characteristics for efficient remediation (toxic metal removal, soil preservation, applicability on highly and/or multi- contaminated soil, different soil types and without dangerous emissions). A dual-action technology for the remediation of toxic metal contaminated soils based on ethylenediamine tetraacetate (EDTA) by Slovenian company successfully addresses these obstacles, since it provides necessary characteristics in one sustainable solution. It can be used on highly and/or multi-contaminated sites with any type of soil (i.e. texture classes) for the removal of arsenic, lead, zinc, cadmium, copper, and other (heavy) metals with up to 95 % efficiency while preserving soil and also enhancing it as a plant substrate. An ex situ remediation technology includes soil excavation, remediation process in (i) stationary soil remediation plants or in (ii) mobile on-site treatment plants, along with the return of the soil to the excavation site. Remediation is performed with commercially available machinery like soil washing reactor (toxic metals extraction during the transport, mixing), trommels (oversize materials removal, sand washing and separation), and chamber filter presses (solid and liquid separation, solid waste removal). In the process are used inexpensive and non-toxic auxiliary materials, accompanied with modest energy and infrastructural requirements, resulting in cost efficiency of the solution. During the process, only solid waste is produced without liquid waste or other (toxic) emissions. There are no limitations for the use of this technology in urban, agricultural, industrial, and military areas, rice paddy fields, etc. The efficiency of the technology was tested and confirmed by independent organizations (i.e. University of Udine – Italy, University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences – Austria, University of Ljubljana – Slovenia). The solution with different operating volumes is operational at demonstration stationary remediation plant and mobile unit. Development of the technology was supported by participation in several projects in the scope of Horizon 2020, LIFE, Slovenian Research Agency, and Slovene Enterprise Fund. Due to proven efficiency and rising demand for soil remediation, the Slovenian company continues to further develop, upgrade and commercialize the technology on a larger scale. Therefore, they are looking for partners to submit project proposals for forthcoming Horizon Europe calls like HORIZON-MISS-2022-SOIL-01 (Research and innovation actions to support the implementation of the soil health and food missions), and other similar calls (EDF-2022-LS-RA-SMERO-NT: Non-thematic research actions by SMEs and research organisations, EDF-2022-LS-DA-SME-NT: Non-thematic development actions by SMEs).

Advantages and innovations The technology for soil remediation has the following advantages and innovations: - The only solution for simultaneous removal of arsenic, lead, and other toxic metals from contaminated soil with up to 95 % efficiency. - Sustainable, cost-efficient, scalable, durable, and movable technology. - In the remediation process are used only chemicals without limitations according to the European Union Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals (EU REACH) legislation. - Circular business model for the technology with completely closed loop operation (emission-free, recycling) and strong intellectual property rights strategy. - The technology is thoroughly described in several scientifical papers in high-ranking journals. - The technology was awarded the ‘’Seal of Excellence’’ by the European Commission. - Concept of the technology is aligned with ‘’Zero pollution ambition for toxic-free environment strategy’’ of the European Green Deal and it fits into outlined plans for soil health law by 2023 (European Commission), Sustainable Development Goals 15.3 of the United Nations Agenda 2030 and into all global initiatives to mitigate climate change.

Technical Specification or Expertise Sought The company is looking for new partners for the demonstration of breakthrough technology on the sites known for their historical problems with soil contamination/pollution, especially with lead, arsenic, and other toxic pollutants. The demonstration within the Horizon Europe programme consortium is intended to acquaint communities and decision-makers with all aspects of novel soil remediation technology. Activities of on-site testing (demonstration) are essential to overcome given barriers and enable new and sustainable technologies to be used also in a bigger scale on the market.
Contact / source: NEXT EEN Widgets (europa.eu)

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