Contaminated Sites and Soil

Among the many challenges characterising the soil remediation market are the rehabilitation of brownfield sites, estimated at some 2,400 in France, the possible environmental uses for such sites (solar parks, land restoration, etc.), certification, improved pollutant detection and process digitalisation. Added to this is the development of new markets such as nuclear decommissioning and pyrotechnic decontamination.

Moreover, while in France 7 to 10 million tonnes of earth is managed or treated each year (75% of which is sent to landfill), the Grand Paris project alone accounts for nearly 45 million tonnes. It is hardly surprising therefore that the industry is keeping a close eye on the draft decree for the removal of excavated soil and sediment from waste status. Note also that a label for recycling excavated earth was launched in early July 2019 by Federec and Seddre (RecyTerre label).

The soil remediation market is projected to grow by an average of 2% per year by 2021, compared to an average of 4.4% between 2015 and 2018.