Urbafertil, recycling inert soil into fertile soil
Planting with a locally produced growing medium
ADEME defines the circular economy as “an economic system of production which, at all stages of the product life cycle, aims to increase the efficiency of resource use and reduce the impact on the environment, while developing the well-being of individuals”.
This circular system therefore places the emphasis on new design modes, on extending the useful life of products, but also on use rather than possession of goods, on reuse and recycling.
Thus, the reuse of excavated soil from construction sites for development projects is an integral part of a circular economy model.
Similarly, the reuse of soil for backfilling and the securing of quarries in the Paris region encourage this circular use of soil.
Finally, ECT’s aim is to spread its reception and installation sites throughout the Paris region. The aim is to limit the carbon impact of transport in the shortest possible cycles.
Preserve topsoil, stop its importation
Topsoil is a natural resource that must be preserved: its importation must be kept to a minimum.
ECT’s Urbafertil fertile substrate represents a 100% eco-responsible alternative:
- It reduces the carbon footprint of urban landscaping or agricultural renaturation, as it is produced close to where it is used.
- It’s a pure recycling product. It reuses inert soil from the construction industry and compost from green waste.
- The fertile substrate is a successful illustration of the circular economy.
Enhancing nature in the city with an efficient, cost-effective solution
Developing nature in the city means limiting the artificialization of land, promoting biodiversity and providing residents with places for relaxation, sport and leisure.
As Urbafertil is less expensive than topsoil, it makes it possible to create more green spaces to enhance urban well-being.
ECT’s fertile substrate is a locally recycled mixture of inert soil and green waste compost.
Pierre Charlier / ECT
Rebuilding the soil to green the city
The construction of a technosol enables soil qualities to be varied according to the services required: vegetation, biodiversity, drainage, bearing capacity.
Urbafertil fertile substrate promotes the circulation and retention of water and mineral elements. The result is greater stability and better soil bearing capacity.
Greening of the esplanade Saint Louis in Paris, on the edge of the Bois de Vincennes
The City of Paris’ greening operation has transformed a former parking lot into an urban meadow. The culture medium used is a fertile substrate produced in situ by ECT.
Dual expertise
and high production capacity
ECT is the French leader in inert soil recycling. The company has unique expertise in soil traceability and characterization.
In addition, we call on our subsidiary BIODEPE, a company specializing in organic waste and soil fertilization. BIODEPE will manage the local supply of green waste compost. Then control the production of the fertilizer mix.
ECT processes 15 million tonnes of soil a year. In this way, the company is able to support all its customers’ supply needs. And can provide interesting outlets for the Ile-de-France green waste industry.
- Local production on site
- On-site ECT production: delivery in big bags or in bulk
- Competitive prices
A standardized growing medium
This growing medium can be used to replace natural topsoil.
ECT’s fertile substrate is recommended for meadow, tree pit and window box soils.
Urbafertil complies with standard NF U 44-551 :
- It’s made up of deep-horizontal soils mixed with green compost, the fertile substrate.
- All materials used in the composition of the fertile substrate are controlled: inert soil and green waste are subject to analysis and traceability standards, unlike topsoil, which offers no such guarantees.
Urbafertil research & development
Full-scale testing of process and results :
- as part of the Paris Région Lab call for projects in the Bois de Vincennes on tree pits and meadows, over the period: 2014-2018.
- by joining the Faiseurs de Terres group (in partnership with Halage and néo éco, at L’IlÔ in Seine-Saint-Denis)
Manufacturing and implementation experience, high-volume production.
- at the ECT site in Annet-sur-Marne (77)
- to return 3 hectares of landfill to agriculture
- over the period: 2017-2019
Under a Cifre contract, ECT supported Charlotte Pruvost’s thesis at the Université Paris-Est-Créteil, entitled “Potentiel de biodiversité dans les technosols” (“Biodiversity potential in technosols”). This research analyzes the return of biodiversity to this type of fertile substrate. Defense in December 2018.
Research and experimentation on technosols, the restoration of inert soil fertility and optimal conditions of use are all underway.
- at the Potager du Roi with the Ecole Nationale Supérieure de Paysage de Versailles, on experiments with vegetable plants
- at the Ecole du Breuil, with the IRD in Bondy and the City of Paris on soil quality and horticultural pathway analyses
- with Astredhor-Seine-Manche, on the evaluation of different horticultural groups
Our partners
Your most frequently asked questions
ECT has designed Urbafertil, a growing medium that reduces the need to import topsoil, a resource that must be preserved.
This fertile substrate is a 100% recycled solution, made from inert materials from construction sites and green waste composts. Urbafertil complies with standard NF U 44-551.
This substrate is made available to landscaping professionals. It can be produced directly in situ or delivered in big bags.
Every landscaping project is unique: each requirement calls for a specific set of specifications,
To contact the Urbafertil sales department: 01 60 54 57 58 | btilliet@groupe-ect.com.
