Four Japanese companies, Mirai Group Co., Asanuma Corp., Kubota Corp. and Fuji Environ Co., will jointly launch an electro-remediation business in 2004 to remove pollutants from contaminated soil without excavation. The electro-remediation technology was developed and commercialized by Dutch firm Hak Milieutechniek B.V., and Mirai Group and other parties have obtained the rights to use it in Japan.

In this electro-remediation system, a direct current is applied to the electrodes drilled into contaminated soil. The current ionizes contaminants such as heavy metals in soil and groundwater, allowing them to move toward the anode or the cathode. The contaminants attracted in this way are then collected using an electrolytic solution circulating through the electrodes.

Conventional soil remediation methods often involve digging up contaminated soil for treatment. Because electro-remediation, in contrast, does not require excavation, the work can be done a£ô a lower cost. It can also clean up the soil directly under a building or a house and even under a factory in operation. Weather conditions, such as temperature, rain or snow, do not affect the cleanup work.

Under the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Law enacted in 2003, if a site is suspected of being contaminated, its landowner is required to investigate and report the extent of the contamination. The relevant prefectural government can order the landowner to remove the contaminants under certain conditions. Due to the enactment of this law, significant growth is expected in the soil remediation market and many companies are now competing with each other to develop new technologies in this field.





Posted: 2004/05/25 11:49:14 AM
Japanese version

TAG Chemicals , Eco-product/Business , Government , Local government , Manufacturing industry , Non-manufacturing industry , System/Law , Technology