CDE shows how soil washing technologies, integrated with closed-loop water treatment systems, combine risk reduction with value creation when dealing with contaminated soil and PFAS substances.
PFAS, [per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances] often referred to as “forever chemicals”, sit at the centre of a global environmental challenge. According to Le Monde, the cost of treating contaminated soils across Europe could reach hundreds of billions of euros.
“We can no longer simply move the problem elsewhere. Contaminated soil treatment must become a lever for sustainability,” CDE Group head of business development for Europe Eunan Kelly said.
A paradigm shift
Traditional approaches such as excavation, landfilling, and incineration are costly, carbon-intensive, and misaligned with climate objectives. What is needed is a systemic approach that combines risk reduction with value creation. Soil washing technologies, integrated with closed-loop water treatment systems, exemplify this shift. They enable:
- The separation of contaminated fines and recovery of clean materials.
- The reduction of hazardous waste volumes while cutting costs and carbon footprint.
- Treated soils to be reused in construction and land development.
Currently, these solutions can recover up to 80 per cent of contaminated soils, but CDE’s ambition is clear: achieve 100 per cent recovery, eliminating PFAS from the entire process.
CIRCLE 2026
On May 7–8, Brussels will host CIRCLE, a symposium designed as a strategic forum for change.
Industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and innovators will explore pathways to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy, with PFAS as a defining case study. Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP partner Robert Bilott will headline the event.
“The question isn’t just how to treat contaminated soils, but how to prevent these crises from happening again,” Bilott said.
Why act now?
For the materials processing, construction, and inert recycling sectors, PFAS contamination is not just an environmental issue; it is a strategic challenge.
Increasing regulatory pressure: The European Union is moving toward comprehensive PFAS restrictions that directly affect earthworks, remediation, and soil recycling projects. Anticipating these changes is critical to avoid soaring compliance costs.
Project bottlenecks: Thousands of contaminated sites block the reuse of excavated soils. Without treatment solutions, these materials become costly waste, undermining circularity and increasing reliance on virgin resources.
Economic stakes: Every untreated tonne represents lost value and missed opportunity.
Growing demand for recycled materials: Carbon neutrality targets and resource scarcity require integrating treated materials into construction supply chains. Contaminated soil treatment is a key lever for securing supply and reducing environmental impact.
“The future of construction lies in resource regeneration. Treating contaminated soils turns a constraint into a competitive advantage,” Kelly said. AB
