Chemco

Active remediation efforts for contaminated soil and groundwater (GW) require a combination of field-proven and innovative technologies to attain cost-effective and sustainable environmental protection from the targeted contaminants. Chemco, a Canadian, family-owned company, addresses this critical need with dedicated resources and expertise.

For over three decades, Chemco has been making a transformative impact on the environmental treatment field by designing and manufacturing premium products and solutions to help address its customers’ environmental challenges.

In the soil and GW remediation sector, Chemco stands out in the Canadian market with its diverse portfolio of in-situ and ex-situ technologies. This portfolio includes chemical oxidants, reductants, co-solvents and surfactants, enhanced bioremediation, metal stabilization and permeable reactive barriers media, sorption technology for remediating many common organic and inorganic contaminants plus the emerging ones, like per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).

“Using our broad portfolio of products, we can create innovative designs and adapt the solution to our client’s needs in a cost-effective way, which differentiates us on both technical and economic levels,” says Jean Paré, Vice President of sales and marketing at Chemco.

For example, Chemco’s in situ oxidative technology can effectively eradicate organic pollutants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons and chlorinated solvents, by breaking down toxic molecules into harmless components, rendering the site free from toxicity. For metals, stabilization techniques are employed, preventing leaching into groundwater and mitigating the risk of contamination to sensitive downgradient receptors. These technologies are implemented in situ to prevent transporting the impacted soil or GW to a different location for treatment, which can cause liability issues in time to the contaminant generator/receptor and impact the sustainability of the remediation effort.

PFAS pose a serious concern since their complete destruction in situ is not yet possible. Chemco addresses the issue with novel adsorption technology, using colloidal modified organoclay or colloidal activated carbon to contain PFAS contaminants in soil or GW, thus preventing migration outside the property boundary.

Chemco provides its products and technologies to three different players in the industry––stakeholders, environmental consultants and contractors. These stakeholders, whether governmental bodies or private entities, often own sites that are contaminated. They reach out to consultants who help them understand the problem, quantify contamination and draft remediation action plans. The process culminates with the contractors implementing the remediation technology on-site.

Working with all parties involved, Chemco offers the best possible product to meet their objectives, allowing them to comply with current standards and regulations while training them on the different technologies. Detailed design and treatment options enable customers to determine the technologies applicable to their sites.

Once a solution is agreed upon, Chemco conducts bench-scale lab treatability studies to confirm its applicability and effectiveness to the given site/contaminant. By remaining actively involved in the entire remediation process, it promotes the rapid removal of a wide range of harmful contaminants and minimizes environmental liabilities for clients.

Chemco’s impact is best highlighted by an example where it helped tackle PFAS contamination in a municipal groundwater well caused by a fire training facility at a nearby Air Force base. The city relied on that groundwater for its potable water supply. The conventional solution involved installing above-ground filtration equipment, estimated to cost between $10 and $30 million. Chemco implemented its in-situ sorption technology, effectively reducing contamination by over 95 percent and saving the client millions of dollars.

Another noteworthy example involved a large-scale iron ore facility impacted by extensive hydrocarbon contamination over a vast area. Years of ore processing had left a kilometer-long contaminated site. Chemco’s in situ treatment approach eliminated the need for extensive digging and excavation of contaminated soil, aligning with the client’s sustainability goals. The team made a difference with an eco-friendly approach, removing toxicity while minimizing greenhouse gas emissions caused by conventional excavation and treatment methods.

Working across hundreds of different sites, Chemco combines the core values of customer-centricity and reliability with a deep respect for our most valued resource–– the environment. As a trusted resource for sustainable environmental remediation, the company continues to supply high-quality solutions that are technically sound and economically viable.