Where and how is the old location contaminated?

Preparation and supervision of the renovation of old industrial sites. Example: Former publicly owned company "Cottana" in Mühlhausen

The object for redevelopment was a long standing company in the textile industry. The central location of the site, with neighbouring residential areas, and the planned further industrial use according to town planning set the framework for our aims.

The singular use of the site for textile refinement, which had been in operation for about a century, defined the expected spectrum and the distribution of the harmful materials:

1. Machine rooms, work rooms, stores:
mineral oil hydrocarbons from lubricants, heating oil
2. Dye-works:
Remaining coloured sludge in drainage and sewage systems with an environmentally relevant content of polycyclic aromas, mineral oil hydrocarbons, heavy metals.
3. Superficial treatment of textiles:
The acids and bases, strong substances and filling materials used here involve only a very small, if any, potential for danger.

 

With this general overview we were able to direct our activities to come up with workable solutions

• the testing and analytical investigation of selected focus areas,
• the working out of the renovation plan as a result of agreement with the authorities.

The activities undertaken were arranged into various categories to ensure efficiency in the redevelopment process.

• contamination free working areas, where building work could be begun immediately,
• working areas with a little or inadequate investigation of harmful contamination in the report. The proof of keeping to renovation targets had to be produced here with the accompanying report,
• working areas with precise criteria (disposal of different types of harmful material, extent and aim of renovation).
• Accompaniment of rebuilding:
  Separation of accumulated materials according to extent of contamination, cleansing of top soil, declaration of materials disposed of as agreed, proof of the attained aims.

The prerequisites for the continued use of the site were achieved. Today 5 new companies with 160 jobs and a realized total investment of 16 million DM are working here. Among them are 2 foodstuff producers, which can be seen as proof of the quality of the renovation process.