FAQs
DND Biotech is an innovative company that develops bio-based technologies for the remediation of contaminated soils, through the laboratory study of biostimulation and bioaugmentation processes, the construction of pilot plants and the design of large-scale bioremediation plants.
DND Biotech can count on a multidisciplinary group of experts made up of graduates in Chemistry, Biotechnology, Environmental Engineering, Geology, Agronomy, Marketing & Communication.
“Bioremediation” is a set of environmental remediation technologies based on the degradation / detoxification of pollutants through the microbial metabolism of certain microorganisms (bacteria, fungi). The term “biostimulation” refers to the process of manipulating the matrix being treated to alter its conditions, by adding nutrients or other natural soil improvers, and favor microbial degradation, while the “bioaugmentation” process consists in integrating a microbial community with the addition of specific microorganisms (pure strains, selected microbial pools) to improve a particular metabolic capacity of the process.
DND Biotech offers solutions for bioremediation of contaminated soil and groundwater. Clients can benefit of full planning of the remediation intervention at their site, starting from the execution of preliminary studies in the laboratory, the realization of pilot plants, the definition of the executive project of large-scale bioremediation plants and the supply on-site of tailor-made biomass for bioaugmentation.
DND Biotech develops technologies for the bioremediation of soils contaminated by hydrocarbons, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), trichlorethylene (TCE), perchloroethylene (PCE), trinitrotoluene (TNT) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylene, and xylene), pesticides (Lindane). DND Biotech has also developed prototypes and pilot plants for the removal of heavy metals from contaminated soils and groundwater through in-situ bio-flushing and reactive permeable barriers.
The timing required for the bioremediation of a contaminated site depends essentially on the characteristics of the site itself, the contamination, and the goal to be achieved in terms of concentration of the pollutant at the end of the treatment. During the first design phase of the remediation intervention, DND Biotech draws up a detailed plan with realistic timelines, defined on the basis of the laboratory testing activity.
The characteristics of each contaminated site and the parameters capable of influencing the bioremediation process are so complex as to prevent the a priori implementation of an intervention protocol. DND Biotech implements a predefined methodology in terms of the phases of the bioremediation process (laboratory study, pilot project, full-scale works), but offers a tailor-made design service respecting the characteristics of each contaminated site, with the aim of minimize the inherent uncertainties in the bioremediation process
The tests conducted at lab scale are the first step to assess the degradability of the contaminants of interest within the site-specific matrix. Different matrix conditioning can be applied to enhance the biodegradation and identify the optimal process conditions. The results of these tests are used to further optimize the remediation strategy at pilot- and full-scale. More info on the degradation tests
The metagenomic analysis of the contaminated soil before, during and after the remediation intervention allows DND Biotech to precisely know the composition of the microbial population in the matrix and the relative biodegradation potential of native bacteria and fungi. During treatment, metagenomic analysis allows to adapt the biostimulation and bioaugmentation protocols and follow the growth dynamics of the microbial components selected for treatment, minimizing the uncertainties typical of bioremediation technologies. Please find additional details on the metagenomic analysis in the corresponding section of the website
The Robonova® plant allows DND Biotech to bridge the gap between experimenting with bioremediation protocols in the laboratory and full-scale field application. Robonova® can be implemented on-site in the site to be remediated and provides an essential data flow regarding the parameters to be controlled during the bioremediation processes, the degradation kinetics and, finally, the environmental impact of the remediation intervention (production leachate, dust, gas, energy consumption). Please find additional details in the “Robonova®” section
The bio-flushing plant, for the inoculation of biological solutions and in-situ chemical washing solutions, is suited to treat both the saturated and the unsaturated zone. Ideal conditions for application are sites without LNAPL/DNPL, with contamination depth up to 8 m bsl both in soil and in groundwater, consisting of a porous soil type with hydraulic conductivity around 10-4 – 10-6 cm/s. Additional info on the technology at the dedicated section
DND Biotech has developed a series of prototypes, including a system for in-situ biostimulation and a system of reactive permeable barriers for the elimination of organic and inorganic contamination from leachate and groundwater. More information in the “Prototypes” section
DND Biotech actively collaborates with the universities and research centers in Italy and abroad, for the study of new technologies and processes for the bioremediation of contaminated soils. Furthermore, DND Biotech participates in research projects regarding the use of zeolites in the field of environmental engineering and agronomy. The publications in indexed scientific journals relating to these activities are available in the “Publications” section
Zeolites are a family of natural minerals with a crystalline structure that gives them many interesting properties in the field of environmental engineering and agronomy. DND Biotech uses natural clinoptilolite zeolite as a soil improver for bioremediation, to improve the chemical-physical properties of the soil itself and optimize the biostimulation process during the remediation treatment. Furthermore, DND Biotech develops and distributes, under its own commercial brand (ZEOCELITALIA), a series of innovative product lines based on natural and modified zeolite, for applications in environmental engineering and agronomy.