BAUER Group was awarded its largest-ever contract for the remediation of the former Kesslergrube landfill

In July, BAUER Resources GmbH was awarded a contract for the remediation of perimeter 1/3 NW of the former Kesslergrube landfill. The project will be executed by BAUER Umwelt GmbH, a subsidiary of BAUER Resources GmbH that specializes in site remediation. Worth over one hundred million euro, this is the BAUER Group's largest single contract to date.

Advertisement

The Kesslergrube former landfill in Grenzach-Whylen, a city situated at the border triangle of Germany, France, Switzerland, was used as a landfill site from the mid-1950s until 1976 and still contains residential waste and construction rubble as well as industrial and chemical waste. Roche Pharma AG, one of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies and a former user of the landfill site, is the client of the project and is aiming for a sustainable and comprehensive remediation of the former site.

Roche Pharma AG selected Bauer as the general contractor for the remediation of perimeter 1/3 NW of the Kesslergrube landfill. BAUER Umwelt GmbH, as the executing company, will be responsible for tasks such as site mobilization and operations, all civil engineering activities as well as the excavation, removal and thermal disposal of the soil. The company will also refill the excavated pit.

The concept submitted by Bauer was chosen by the customer because it will play a crucial role in reducing the total duration of the remediation project by one year. This is an important step in minimizing burdens for all residents, neighbors and the Grenzach-Wyhlen community.

Site mobilization and operations will begin in August 2015. Services will include raster sampling of the construction site, sampling and declaration analysis of excavated batches, protection of property, maintenance of thoroughfares, health protection and occupational safety measures for employees, multi-stage noise protection measures, hydraulic protection and groundwater control in the pit area as well as measures to keep the pit dry during the excavation phase. Bauer will also construct and operate the temporary pier that will serve as a handling plant on the Rhine for delivery of backfill material and construction site equipment as well as for removal of excavated material in accordance with official permits. Bauer will build the multi-stage treatment plant for groundwater remediation on the east side of the pier. Bauer will also install airlock areas including a washer system for construction staff and equipment, build enclosures and canopies and install the ventilation system.

BAUER Umwelt GmbH's primary task is to excavate and collect approximately 280,000 tonnes of soil in special safety containers, haul away these containers and load them onto trains at the freight terminal in Weil am Rhein. The contaminated excavated material will then undergo thermal treatment. Backfill material for refilling the excavation pit will be delivered during the excavation.

The excavation pit will be constructed by BAUER Spezialtiefbau GmbH. The company will build a secant bored pile wall that extends to a depth of 23 meters.

"The fact that we were awarded this extensive project testifies to our outstanding expertise in site remediation. And the fact the Resources segment received the largest contract in the company's history underscores the forward-looking approach of our environmental and water division," said Prof. Thomas Bauer, Chairman of the Management Board of BAUER AG.

BAUER Umwelt GmbH is scheduled to decommission the construction site in mid-2020 and restore the ground surface for future commercial or industrial use.