SOLUTION / PUBLIC SOURCE RECORD
Soil Steam removes invasive species from soil using steam
- Published 28 November 2022; updated 23 March 2026; estimated reading time 2 minutes. Available in the Americas, Europe and Oceania; listed under Architecture and construction.
- Soil Steam’s SoilSaver uses steam to disinfect soil and remove invasive alien species, weeds and seeds, as well as biological pests such as E. coli, salmonella and potato cyst nematodes. The treated soil can then be reused instead of excavated and sent to landfill. The machine is available in 4-tonne-per-hour and 20-tonne-per-hour capacities; the company says fully electric versions are available. Treatment can be performed at a construction site or landfill.
- The article describes excavation and disposal of infested soil as costly and carbon-intensive, and says reuse helps conserve soil and reduce transport, landfill need and greenhouse-gas emissions. It identifies Japanese knotweed as one invasive species causing problems in agricultural, construction and infrastructure projects.
- Soil Steam’s founder reports that a 2024 road project steamed and reused 4,000 tonnes of soil, describing it as a world first. The page says a one-month trial saved 12 tonnes of waste and 7,000 kg of CO₂. These are company-reported project results. The article also says the company is developing FieldSaver, a separate machine intended to control field weeds, pests and diseases without chemicals.
- Target markets include construction and public projects, particularly where environmental regulation is strict. Linked to SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure).
- Contact: Hans Kristian Westrum, Founder and CGO, hkw@soilsteam.com. Company: SOIL STEAM INTERNATIONAL AS, Borgeskogen 15, 3160 Stokke, Norway; soilsteam.com. A phone-number reveal control is present.