Sanitation of PFAS contamination on the industrial site of Tongeren-Oost will cost millions, according to the remediation plan submitted by Shamrock Technologies to OVAM, HBVL reported.
- Shamrock Technologies recycled PFAS in Tongeren since 2000 before dismantling its oven after 2023 VITO tests showed high emissions.
- Pending OVAM approval, clean-up operations are expected to begin within eight months, presumably in November 2027, and last approximately three months.
Shamrock Technologies has recycled PFAS in Tongeren since 2000, HBVL reported. The facility dismantled its oven after VITO established excessively high PFAS concentrations emerging from the chimney in 2023. Subsequent investigations revealed that soil on the company site and several adjacent plots was heavily contaminated. Hazardous substances spread via groundwater underneath at least 20 parcels.
The company carries full financial responsibility for cleaning up the entire site, which includes adjacent plots belonging to other businesses and a parcel owned by the City of Tongeren. The submitted remediation plan pegs total soil cleanup costs at 3.3 million euros, including VAT. This figure excludes the mandatory groundwater remediation, for which a separate plan must be drafted by a March 1, 2028 deadline.
| Remediation Option | Target Threshold | Total Cost (EUR) | Excavation Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Excavation | 30 micrograms / kg | 3.3 million | 4,400 cubic meters |
| Deep Excavation | 8 micrograms / kg | 5.7 million | Not specified |
Researchers indicate no direct risk for humans and the environment, but both soil and groundwater require remediation to halt PFAS migration. The industrial zone lies near the Jeker river, allowing hazardous substances to travel via wind or groundwater to distant parcels. ERM advised excavating contaminated earth down to the risk-based clean-up value of 30 micrograms of PFAS per kilogram of dry soil, with the material destined for a licensed landfill.
An alternative, costlier method aiming for an 8-microgram target was rejected because it totals 5.7 million euros. In total, workers will excavate 4,400 cubic meters of contaminated earth under the supervision of a recognized soil expert. Trees on the property will remain untouched. Contaminated earth beneath buildings, paving, and green structures will stay in place, requiring special protocols for any future excavation work.
OVAM must first approve the submitted remediation project. Once authorization is granted, Shamrock Technologies anticipates that works will commence within eight months, likely starting in November 2027. Operations will run for approximately three months. Crews will implement special measures to minimize dust dispersion, while trucks traveling to and from the site will generate temporary noise and traffic disruptions.
Soil with PFAS concentrations ranging between 8 and 30 micrograms per kilogram of dry matter may remain on-site since its risk is deemed acceptable. Consequently, long-term risk measures will persist for the area, including restrictions on soil movement and prohibitions against utilizing groundwater for drinking water or industrial applications.
