Research funding of £100,000 has been given by the Welsh Assembly Government’s Single Investment Fund through the Convergence European Regional Development Fund for the scheme.

The product, much of which the owners are keeping under-wraps, is a liquid that can be injected into the ground so naturally degrade chemical contaminants through bioremediation.

Trials will look at cleaning up chlorinated solvent contamination, which is commonly found on former industrial sites in the UK.

Contaminants such as trichloroethene were widely used as degreasing agents in the metal working industries and, to a lesser extent, in dry cleaning.

Creators Cardiff based Telluric Land Remediation believe the product will ‘revolutionise’ the way contaminated land is brought back to health.

Telluric managing director, Ian James, said: “While there are various treatments available to address chlorinated solvents in soil and groundwater, we believe we are on track to develop a more sustainable and cost effective product.

“It will meet environmental concerns about the wider impacts of the remediation process, such as generation of secondary waste products, power usage and potential emissions.

“Our lab trials have produced a physically stable compound of emulsified vegetable oil and various food grade ingredients that are safe to handle and will promote enhanced anaerobic bioremediation.”

Field trials are expected to take around six months and Telluric expect to launch the product at the end of the year.

Luke Walsh

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