In June, the very first SoilSaver 20 machine from SoilSteam will be installed at EWG’s facility in Flen. The machine uses steam treatment to eliminate seeds and plant material from problematic species such as Japanese knotweed, lupines, and giant hogweed – plants that have caused serious challenges for both biodiversity and infrastructure.

A Growing Problem – and a Circular Solution

Soil contaminated with invasive species has long been a headache in Sweden. The usual solution has been to send large volumes of earth to landfill – an expensive and unsustainable practice. EWG Recycling aims to change that.

“We’re seeing stricter regulations from authorities to stop the spread of invasive species, and rightly so. But this has also led to large amounts of valuable soil being discarded, simply because the technology to clean it hasn’t been available – until now,” says Max Lindqvist, CEO of EWG Recycling.

Over the next few months, EWG expects to receive around 30,000 cubic meters of contaminated soil – the equivalent of approximately 2,000 truckloads.

“Now we can clean and reuse this resource instead of filling up landfills. It’s a concrete and important step toward a more circular approach to soil and excavation mass handling. Landfilling should be the last resort.”

Norwegian Technology with European Potential

For SoilSteam, this partnership with EWG marks a key entry into the Swedish market.

“We’ve had ongoing dialogue with Swedish authorities and major players like the Swedish Transport Administration. There’s a growing understanding that soil is a valuable resource, and that landfilling only provides temporary control – not a real solution. EWG is a forward-thinking, innovative partner that shares our vision for circular resource use. We’re excited to begin this collaboration in Sweden,” says Hans Kristian Westrum, founder and CSO at SoilSteam.

A Green Shift – One Truckload at a Time

This isn’t just a tech update – it’s a shift in how we think about soil and waste. Instead of treating soil contaminated with invasive plants as a problem to be buried, EWG and SoilSteam see it as an opportunity for value creation and environmental gain.

Sweden now has its first facility for steam-based soil remediation. Will more follow soon?

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To address this challenge, it is essential to focus on the recycling and reuse of topsoil while avoiding the use of chemicals. This is not only important for sustainability and food security but also to maintain the soil’s ability to sequester CO2 and preserve valuable biodiversity. Failure to act now could result in food shortages, high food prices, and potentially lead millions of people into hunger and poverty, argues FAO leader, José Graziano Da Silva.

The Importance of CO2 Sequestration and Soil Microorganisms in the soil

Soil plays a crucial role in the fight against climate change, as it sequesters more CO2 than all the world’s plants and trees combined. Effective CO2 sequestration in the soil can be a crucial strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Therefore, new technology supporting sustainable soil management is needed in the future.

More than 50% of the world’s organisms exist in soil ecosystems, making healthy and fertile soil crucial for food supply, biodiversity and climate. Research shows that better soil management can significantly increase carbon sequestration and the potential gain surpassing annual emissions from the global transportation sector.

SoilSteam’s Contribution to Sustainable Soil Treatment

SoilSteam is an innovative player in the agricultural and construction sectors, developing machines that use steam to treat soil. The goal is to reduce harmful microorganisms, insects, nematodes, as well as seeds and weed roots while maintaining soil productivity.

SOILSAVER™ – Sterilization for Reuse

Soilsaver™ aims to sterilize soil in construction projects where invasive plants plant such as Japanese Knotweed and Giant Hogweed are present in the soil masses. This enables the reuse of soil that would otherwise be degraded to landfills. The clean soil can be reused in areas with existing natural soil, allowing the native microorganisms in the surrounding soil to establish themselves in the clean masses.

FIELDSAVER™ – Sustainable Soil Treatment

Fieldsaver™ operates on agricultural land, steaming the soil where it is. It uses hot steam to heat the soil and combat negative microorganisms and weeds without the use of chemicals. Precision steaming allows local treatment around the planting site, providing effective results while keeping energy usage low.

Effect on Microorganisms and Crop Yield

Although steaming affects soil microorganisms, international research and experience show that healthy soil life quickly re-establishes itself. Minimizing temperature and exposure time is a crucial factor in minimizing the drawbacks of soil steaming. SoilSteam, in collaboration with NIBIO, Vegvesenet, and other stakeholders, has conducted research to study the criteria that must be set depending on the diseases or pests present in the soil. It is important to emphasize that soil steaming is a treatment method, where the alternatives are either deposition or treatment with harmful chemicals. Healthy and pest-free soil should not be steamed.

Effects observed on plant life and vegetables after steaming are positive, resulting in faster establishment, higher yields, and increased durability.

SoilSteam’s soil treatment not only contributes to maintaining soil health and supporting sustainable agriculture but also provides tangible solutions for circular mass management, helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and preserves valuable topsoil for future generations. This is a significant step towards a more sustainable and responsible use of the Earth’s resources.

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