Contact Information: Media contact Devon Phelan dphelan@terratherm.com
TerraTherm, Inc. and Gas Technologies Institute Agreement Offers Speedy, Permanent Cleanup of Manufactured Gas Sites (MGP), Eliminates Coal Tar Migration
| Source: TerraTherm, Inc.
FITCHBURG, MA, and DES PLAINES, IL--(Marketwire - February 9, 2010) - TerraTherm, Inc., a
leading provider of in situ thermal remediation services and GTI, the
leading research, development and training organization serving the natural
gas industry, today announced that they have reached agreement to
commercialize GTI's patented In Situ Thermochemical Solidification (ISTS)
technology exclusively through TerraTherm. The combination of TerraTherm's
proprietary remediation technologies and GTI's ISTS has proven successful
and cost-effective in MGP gasholder cleanup, demonstrating permanent
prevention of coal tar migration without excavation. This synergy allows
the two companies to provide a uniquely effective and attractive
remediation package to owners of the estimated 7000 MGP sites, worldwide.
ISTS, specifically designed for MGP sites, leverages TerraTherm's Thermal
Conduction Heating technology to remove organic components of the
contaminants, then permanently solidify remaining coal tar in place,
forming an immobile, stable substance similar to asphalt pavement. "Use of
ISTS stops liquid coal tar from migrating beyond property boundaries or
contaminating public water supplies. This is an issue that is critically
important to the owners of the sites and a major public health issue
confronting communities. In developing ISTS, GTI has engineered a simple
and effective way to eliminate the risks of contaminant migration, reduce
liability and return many of these potentially valuable urban properties to
the positive side of the balance sheet. We are delighted to partner with
GTI to bring this technology and service package to market," says Dr. Ralph
Baker, CEO of TerraTherm, Inc.
Baker's observations about the value of this remediation market are
reinforced by the significant scope of the MGP pollution problem, and the
urban location of the former manufactured gas plants. An estimated 3000
MGP plants dot the U.S. landscape. Built long ago on the outskirts of
towns and cities, these locations are now in today's urban core. In situ
remediation is a far more attractive option than excavation because these
plants often lie in close proximity to, and sometimes underlie,
infrastructure, commercial buildings and residential areas.
"We're very excited about this agreement because it represents the kind of
synergy between two organizations that makes excellent business sense,"
observes Quinton Ford, Director, Commercialization for the Gas Technology
Institute. "GTI's years of R&D experience and our focus give us a unique
understanding of the needs of the utility industry and of MGP remediation.
TerraTherm brings extensive field experience and know-how in cleaning up
hazardous wastes using in situ techniques. They also have the equipment
and proven field teams to deliver the ISTS technology in a cost-effective
manner. This combination allows us to deliver the consistent, predictable
results that the utility industry demands," adds Ford.
About TerraTherm
TerraTherm is a worldwide leader in the development and implementation of
in situ thermal remediation of hazardous waste. We advise on, design, build
and operate thermal remediation projects from concept to closure. We
offer the broadest array of thermal remediation technologies in the
industry, allowing us to tailor project designs to specific site
conditions, using the optimal combination of methods, without bias towards
any single technology or approach.
TerraTherm partners with leading engineering firms, government agencies,
corporations and property owners in flexible, cooperative relationships to
achieve cleanup goals. Our expertise, broad set of proven technologies and
seasoned staff combine to provide the most effective cleanup available for
a broad array of contaminants within all soils and site conditions.