Result 1 We have identified 47 factors influencing the remediation of Brownfields through PCP, of which these 5 are keys:
• Actions by EU;
• Incentives and supports in finding innovative solutions
• Final price of decontaminated brownfields
• Existence of successful models of soil decontamination
• Public R&D+i investments in contaminated soil remediation
There are 3 other factors that facilitate the process:
• Diffusion of BRODISE’s project and exploitation of its results
• Brownfields future uses
• Viability of joint PCP to find innovative solutions on the ground
Result 2 BRODISE has developed an integral Common Conceptual Model (CCM) with data standardization, and gap identification, as a “between sites-comparison matrix”s considering a)Pollutants distribution in soil, b)Hazardous waste delimitation c)Existing monitoring wells, and d) Land uses.
Also, the used “Common issues and needs” check-list is available.
Result 3 BRODISE made a Patent Analysis search of >20.000 patent families (20149), and by analyzing with a combination of 2 classification codes (B09C1/00 and A62D3/00) during 2010/2015 range, 4845 were obtained, and then focused with the group under the ‘B092101.CPC’ code, the total number of hits obtained was 346, which covers both patent applications as well as the patents granted.
The selected Key R&D (in situ)technologies were:
• Chemical Oxidation (ISCO)
• Chemical Reduction (ISCR)
• Enhanced Bioremediation
• Directional wells
It, confirmes the existence of scope for innovation
Result 4
BRODISE has shown that it is possible joint purchases of innovative technological solutions for the decontamination of brownfields, with different levels of complexity.
Government (State, Region, or Local bodies) acts both as a major driving force that shapes the industry and its direction from a legal and regulatory framework perspective, and as one of the largest customer segments for environmental remediation technologies in many regions, and specifically in the BRODISE countries
Result 5
BRODISE has developed the framework, main functional kind of requirements, and procedure to the ‘PCP for sustainable methods to decontaminate/remediate brownfields’, explaining how to do: a) Previous steps, b)Previous agreements of public buyers to join PCP, c) Specific functional requirements, d)Advertisements and Publications, e) Tender implementation, and d) The execution monitoring and performance evaluation
And BRODISE has published a help guideline.
Lessons learnt:
Lesson 1
There are many patented technologies, and not many available on the market, but it seems they are not efficiently applied, because of the price, time, and because they are not integrated into viable joint solutions for large areas. The most widespread solution is to dig and dump, but it is very inefficient for these large areas so we need on site solutions and 'in situ' for joint decontamination of heavy metals, hydrocarbons, PAHs, TPH, etc ... However, we note that the market is stagnant for the last decade and the cause is that there is not a demand capable of make profitable these technological developments.
Lesson 2 It is desirable to add demand to pull of technological development, but the objective conditions of each brownfield, in terms of presence of different pollutants, different levels of characterization and knowledge, and different intended uses (with different target decontamination levels), makes necessary to adopt common standards to implement the joint PCP.
Lesson 3
The level of knowledge and use of PCP by public entities is scarce, and most believe that it is not possible to engage in competition specific technological developments to solve the decontamination of their brownfields, for legal recruitment problems, or simply they do not know how.
Technologists and suppliers not think that PCP is a useful and applicable to new technological developments instrument.
Only by creating specific regulatory conditions for decontamination pilot projects in which public money is injected can trigger the development of innovative solutions.
