CAT-site in Vilvoorde, Belgium
From pollution to revival
Until 1997, the Renault factory was the largest in Vilvoorde. Before that, the site was used as a landfill. Consequently, two contaminated zones were identified on the site: a first linked to the household waste landfill and a second of unknown origin. Substances such as heavy metals, mineral oil, VOCL and BTEX – collective name for volatile organic chlorinated hydrocarbons, benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylene – were found in the soil. Commissioned by OVAM and in collaboration with private property developer MG Real Estate, Jan De Nul is tackling the contamination. The site will then be redeveloped for logistical and industrial activities and residential space.
Flemish environment minister Zuhal Demir:
The closure of the factory in 1997 and the accompanying collective redundancy was a social tragedy for the local community. Today, 23 years later, we are giving the Renault site and the local community renewed prospects for economic activities on the site, housing opportunities and nature, which is certainly no bad thing in this urban environment.
CAT-site in numbers
Did you know?
By executing the remediation on site, we saved over 5,400 truck transports, minimised our impact on mobility and reduced our CO2 emissions by 1,195 tonnes.
CAT-site in detail
The contaminated soil is excavated to a depth of four metres. We first filter out the waste, then treat the remaining soil in covered bio-piles through the action of micro-organisms. These break down the harmful organic compounds into harmless components. The warm air released by the biological action of the bio-piles then passes through an air purification system. The captured heat returns to the bio-piles to keep the temperature at an optimal level.
