Twice as strong: Bauer Resources relies on a dual approach of remediation and disposal

• Remediation of contaminated soil by Bauer Resources using precise replacement boring near Duisburg
• Around 6,500 t of soil transported to the Duisburg soil treatment center, professionally stored and disposed of

Duisburg, Germany – The steady hum of the drilling rig hangs over the construction site as the contaminated soil is drilled through layer by layer to a depth of 16 m using the Kelly method. Trucks are already waiting at the edge of the site, their engines humming quietly as they stand by, ready to safely transport the excavated material away. This is what real cooperation looks like: On a project near Duisburg, the Bauer Umwelt division of BAUER Resources GmbH took on the source rehabilitation – including the proper disposal of the contaminated soil. What made this project unique? It was the seamless integration of brownfield remediation and disposal – a perfect partnership that showcased the power of true synergy and a well-executed full-service solution.

Replacement boring with surgical precision

From February to May 2025, Bauer Resources’ specialists carried out large-diameter borehole operations to replace contaminated soil. Step by step, they drilled 167 vertical boreholes, as well as an additional 30 boreholes with an incline of 5° to ensure that the lower area could also be remediated. “This type of replacement boring is actually everyday business for us, yet this site was anything but normal,” remarks Senior Constructions Manager Daniel Thielmann at the Bauer Umwelt Division of BAUER Resources GmbH. This is because two pipelines ran directly next to the contaminated hotspot. And that meant caution was the order of the day. Like open-heart surgery, the aim was to drill out the contaminated material without damaging the adjacent pipeline. “When drilling each borehole and during every work step, our team demonstrated a steady hand and great deal of finesse,” emphasizes Daniel Thielmann. 

Sophisticated disposal concept

Once the replacement boring work was completed, about 6,500 t of contaminated soil remained – requiring proper disposal. This task was approached with equal precision: The sophisticated disposal concept was developed by the soil treatment center Duisburg, another member of the Bauer Resources family. “For our customers, this means reliable end-to-end service from a single source,” explains Benjamin Steden, Operations Manager of the location in Duisburg. Before the polluted soil could leave the site, it underwent a careful inspection. An environmental assessor classified the material to a specific material quality and took targeted samples for chemical analysis. “We had ensure that every batch was thoroughly tested before being approved for disposal,” continues Benjamin Steden. Only after passing this inspection was the soil cleared for removal. The logistics were tightly coordinated: Trucks left the site twice daily, making the 90-minute trip to the soil treatment center Duisburg.

Full-service from concept to logistics 

Upon arrival at the soil treatment center, the contaminated material was unloaded and temporarily stored in separate areas according to the degree of contamination. Depending on the results of the analysis, the soil was either sent for thermal treatment or final disposal. “While our 3,000 m² soil treatment center is generally equipped for dry mechanical processing, the material delivered was not suitable for this method due to its properties,” explains the operations manager. In addition to its diverse treatment options, the Duisburg site also offers a key logistical advantage: trimodal transport connectivity. Thanks to excellent infrastructure, the facility can handle shipments by ship, rail, or truck. “We were proud to bring our extensive disposal expertise to bear on this project,” remarks Benjamin Steden in conclusion.