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Environmental Business Update p.7 -- Summary Description. Phytotech, Inc. markets proprietary remediation technology to remove toxic metals from soils. One of Phytotech's innovative technologies -- phytoextraction -- uses specially selected and bioengineered green plants (e.g. Indian Mustard cultivars) to absorb toxic metals in above-ground plant parts. Proprietary combinations of plant and soil amendments cause metals to be hyperaccumulated in "shoots" -- a specialized term referring to the above ground plant parts. When the shoots are harvested, they have accumulated concentrations of metals much higher than the starting concentration of the metals in the contaminated soil. The contaminated biomass can then be disposed in landfills or incinerators. If required, multiple crops can be planted until the contaminant level in the soil is reduced to meet regulations.
Comparative Advantage. The technology is non-intrusive and effective on many metals, including lead, zinc, cadmium and uranium. The benefit of the technology lies in the fact that the quantity of biomass requiring disposal is a very small fraction of the comparable volume of soil which would require disposal.
Technical Performance and Cost Data. A single crop typically reduces the lead concentration in soil by 100 to 200 parts per million (ppm); in temperate zones, three or four crops can be grown in a season. Disposal of soil contaminated with lead typically costs $150-200 per ton using excavation and disposal at a hazardous waste landfill. Phytoextraction is less than half that cost.
State of Development. Phytotech has conducted field trials over a full season at industrial sites, brownfieldss and residential locations with excellent results; a typical field trial covers 5,000 square feet, with lead contamination starting at 1,000 ppm or more. Commercial booking has already begun.
Status of Intellectual Property Rights. U.S. Patent 5,364,451 was issued in November 1994. Four phytoextraction patent applications are pending in the U.S. All patents are filed internationally on a broad scale.
For more information, contact John L. Ehrler, Director, Business Development, Phytoech, Inc. One Deer Park Drive, Suite I, Monmouth Junction, NJ 08852, Tel: 908-438-0900 Fax: 908-438-1209, email: JohnEhrler@aol.com
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