SMR UK, a specialist soil remediation and ground engineering company, has launched a soil treatment technology designed to significantly reduce the cost and environmental impact of brownfield land redevelopment.
The business, which works with developers, contractors, and local authorities across the UK, provides sustainable, on-site solutions for managing complex contaminated land issues.
Its new product, ReBind, is a patented soil treatment binder developed to enable the on-site stabilisation and reuse of up to 100% of contaminated soils, dramatically reducing the need for excavation and landfill.
The technology arrives at a time when the construction and development sectors are under mounting pressure to deliver projects on constrained sites while managing rising costs and meeting stringent environmental targets.
ReBind, is a patented soil treatment binder developed to enable the on-site stabilisation and reuse of up to 100% of contaminated soils
The launch also comes against a backdrop of escalating remediation expenses. From April 2025, the standard rate of landfill tax in the UK rose to £126.15 per tonne.
When combined with associated disposal fees, the cost of removing hazardous soils can now reach £160 per tonne, placing significant financial strain on brownfield development projects.
Limited landfill capacity and environmental obligations are further increasing demand for more sustainable, locally implemented solutions.
Clare Thomas, Managing Director of SMR UK, commented: "Landfill tax was introduced to encourage more sustainable alternatives, but it has made remediation financially out of reach for many projects.
“ReBind offers an immediate, cost-effective option by treating soil on-site, cutting disposal costs, and reducing project timelines by up to 75%. It also limits the need for importing materials, lowering carbon emissions, and reducing transport disruption."
The launch also comes against a backdrop of escalating remediation expenses
Unlike traditional stabilisation techniques such as lime treatment, ReBind is a lime-free formulation that performs reliably in all weather conditions, removing the risk of delays caused by lime mellowing.
The binder also enables developers to reduce the thickness of stabilised layers, decreasing both programme time and material volumes, while still achieving the necessary California Bearing Ratio (CBR) for a variety of construction applications.
Proven results on live infrastructure projects
ReBind has already demonstrated its effectiveness on several live projects. Notably, on a major infrastructure scheme in Melton Mowbray, SMR UK partnered with MWH Treatment to stabilise contaminated ground on-site.
Unlike traditional stabilisation techniques such as lime treatment, ReBind is a lime-free formulation that performs reliably in all weather conditions
This approach prevented the removal of over 8,300m² of spoil and eliminated the need for replacement with imported materials.
The initiative saved more than £2 million in project costs, reduced carbon emissions by 1,272 tonnes of CO₂e, and prevented over 1,300 vehicle movements.
A broad-spectrum solution for complex contamination
ReBind has been designed to address a wide range of contaminants commonly found on brownfield land, including heavy metals, hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chlorinated solvents, pesticides, herbicides, and industrial chemicals.
Unlike traditional stabilisation techniques such as lime treatment, ReBind is a lime-free formulation that performs reliably in all weather conditions
It is also effective against more challenging pollutants such as fluorinated compounds, chlorobenzenes, phenols, nitrates, phosphates, energetics, and various forms of asbestos, including chrysotile, amosite, and crocidolite.
This versatility makes it particularly well-suited to sites with complex contamination profiles, offering developers and contractors a practical solution for land previously considered too difficult or expensive to remediate.
Supporting Brownfield development and policy goals
The launch of ReBind aligns with the UK government’s £180 million Brownfield Release Fund, which aims to expedite the redevelopment of disused land for housing.
A major obstacle to leveraging this funding has been the high cost of remediation. By offering savings of up to 50% when factoring in time, materials, and transportation, ReBind presents a compelling option to make stalled or unviable brownfield projects financially feasible once again.
With over 28 million tonnes of soil sent to UK landfills each year, the construction sector is under increasing scrutiny to adopt sustainable remediation practices.
The binder also enables developers to reduce the thickness of stabilised layers
While government initiatives such as the proposed Landfill Tax Grant Scheme aim to alleviate the financial burden for local authorities, the longer-term solution lies in reducing landfill dependency altogether.
On-site stabilisation technologies such as ReBind offer a pathway to achieving this goal while maintaining regulatory compliance.
SMR UK is actively collaborating with housebuilders, civil engineering contractors, and local councils to integrate ReBind into new developments.
Early trials have reported significant savings, enhanced environmental compliance, and smoother project delivery.
Top image: Clare Thomas, Managing Director of SMR UK