Success Stroies: United Retek

NJCAT issued its first verification in 1998 to United Retek of New Jersey, a division of United Retek of America. The Retek process utilizes chemically engineered formulations and stabilization technology to recycle soils contaminated with hydrocarbons and/or heavy metals. The process binds and stabilizes the contaminants to enable the soil to be recycled as paving and curbing material on-site.

Following the verification, United Retek undertook a major brownfields project in Jersey City at less than half the cost of traditional cleanup methods. As a result, Jersey City was able to turn unused property into low income housing at an affordable price. Because of the low-cost and swiftness of the process, it is particularly suited for brownfields projects, according to Retek officials. Additionally, by recycling the waste -- which traditionally would be hauled away to a hazardous waste disposal facility -- into a product, the process reduces the demand on landfills.

Russ Sattler, president of United Retek, described the NJCAT verfication as a “valuable asset” that the company can utilize to give buyers and regulators a higher degree of confidence that the company’s technology will perform as stated.

Sattler noted that the verification relieves the company of the need for case-by-case approval by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), as long as the process is utilized within the established conditions. Additionally, because of agreements between the DEP and other states, the information generated through the verification is acceptable in California, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois Massachusetts, and Virginia. The verification also allows private developers to obtain grant funding and other economic incentives under federal and state brownfields remediation legislation.