Biosoil

Building a sustainable future

Based in the Netherlands, Biosoil is an expert provider of soil remediation solutions. With an emphasis on innovation and adaptability, the company has the capability to give guarantees on the extraction of soil contaminants in any location.

Its services range from experienced practical advice to the realisation of remediation operations using a number of advanced techniques including; in situ processes, mobile remediation systems, on site solutions, bioscreens, soil conditioning equipment, soil treatment installations and dynamic fences. It is now active in more than ten countries, including Brazil, Chile and Italy.

Arnout Van Diem, managing director, explains the company’s history: “Biosoil was founded in 1993 and our main goal was to carry out remediation with microbiology. Since then we have grown to involve a number of different companies all working in the environment sector with variations in engineering remediation technology. We have two offices in Germany and corporation connections in Japan, Finland and Canada. We have an annual turnover of ten million euros and the number of people working for us, depending on the project, ranges from 60 to 100. We mainly work for large companies like Shell and Gefco, and a significant number of projects are executed for local authorities and government bodies such as ministries and city councils.”

One of the company’s most recent pioneering developments is its online monitoring system of emissions and leakages. This system is a modern solution to prevent pollution and is a positive step towards fighting unnecessary emissions, making this company a forerunner in the fight for sustainability. Arnout tells European Oil and Gas about this new development: “We are involved in electronic sensor technology that can act as an early warning system for gas emissions and leakages. It has many applications, for instance the detection of leaks in underground transport lines or volatile fluids. It can detect a wide range of gases and volatile substances including benzene, toluene and a variety of (chlorinated) organic solvents. Compared with other systems, it is a very efficient and cost effective technology.

“Currently we’re running a project based on our system to monitor air quality in the Rotterdam harbour area. We are using the sensors to create a dynamic fence around several industries to locate emissions. The data it generates is linked to a government database with information on the location of civilian complaints around the harbour. Therefore, we can track a plume of gas or odour moving around the harbour, in conjunction with the sensors, and combine our measurements with complaints. Such an advanced tracking system means that soil pollution or gas emissions can be stopped at the root of the cause, pinpointing the origin of the leak and allowing the company to apply a proactive solution in a much more efficient time period than was previously possible.”

Biosoil is dedicated to developing and uncovering new sustainable methods. Another of its latest technologies involves the recycling of kerosene jet fuel – a kerosene generator is used to extract excess gas from the fuelling tanks on airfields. In combination with offspec kerosene, this is then used as fuel for a generator. So where kerosene vapour would be emitted into the air it is now used as a secondary fuel source.

Indeed, Arnout believes the development of such technologies is where the company’s strength lies: “We are always busy with innovation in a range of areas, not just with sensor technology. For instance, we have also developed a mobile unit to remediate polluted surface soil on site. If we face a problem, we work until we find a solution in the shortest time possible. The opportunities for us at the moment are unlimited and we have to choose our projects carefully because there are just so many. The more technologies you develop, the more combinations you can make and the more solutions you can provide.”

With success in over 230 remediation projects and the contaminants it can handle ranging from organic chlorinated solvents and mineral oil products to aromates and heavy metals, Biosoil is able to boast an undefeated record.

“Remediation is a pretty risky business but we have highly skilled employees with a broad range of experience and expertise. We are so confident in our capabilities that often, where there is a highly documented case, we give a guarantee that we will meet the remediation goals and, in some cases, we’ll even take on ownership of a full-risk project location. This, along with the fact that we really believe in what we do, is what separates us from our competitors,” Arnout concludes.

Biosoil

Services Soil remediation solutions