SoilDri Launches SEM Range: A Game-Changer for Trench Backfilling in the Utilities Sector

SoilDri, a leading provider of eco-friendly soil drying agents for the construction and infrastructure sectors, is proud to announce the launch of its new SEM (Selected Excavated Material) range. This latest addition to the SoilDri portfolio is specifically designed to tackle the complex challenges faced by the utilities sector, including soil moisture management, regulatory compliance, and sustainable waste practices.

Who We Are
SoilDri specialises in developing sustainable soil treatment solutions that support year-round construction activities. Our innovative products are designed to minimise delays, reduce carbon footprints, and promote the reuse of fill materials.

The Challenge:
The utilities sector is the backbone of modern infrastructure, responsible for maintaining critical services such as water, electricity, gas, and telecommunications. However, this sector faces mounting challenges:

Soil Moisture Management: High moisture content in clays and subsoils without improvements means this material is required to be disposed of as in its natural state is unsuitable for re-use in trenching and backfilling,

Arisings: Under the pending changes to “Classify excavated waste from street and utility works: RPS 298”, in accordance with WM3, arisings will require laboratory testing before removal from the site, which may cause delays.

Regulatory Compliance: Stricter environmental laws require sustainable soil management practices, including accurate waste classification under WM3 and EWC codes.

Waste Management Challenges: Misclassification of trench arisings leads to increased disposal costs and regulatory penalties.

Cost Efficiency: Rising landfill taxes and the high cost of hazardous waste disposal strain budgets.

Social Disruption: Roadworks and service interruptions can negatively affect public perception and Customer Measure of Experience (C-MeX) scores. The government is introducing daily fines for contractors who fail to meet their schedules and exceed project timelines.

Carbon Reduction: Utilities are under pressure to reduce embodied carbon and other emissions while meeting sustainability targets.

The Solution:
Introducing the SoilDri SEM Range engineered to overcome these hurdles, offering utilities a comprehensive, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible solution for trench backfilling.

Key Features of SoilDri SEM:

Effective Moisture Reduction: Transforms wet and saturated soils into workable, reuseable material achieving an optimum moisture content for optimal compaction without altering the material’s classification.

Legal Compliance: Supports WM3 assessments and EWC code compliance, avoiding costly misclassifications and ensuring adherence to SROH 2020 standards.

Cost Savings Reduces delays, improves project schedules, and cuts waste disposal costs while decreasing reliance on imported aggregates, with potential savings of up to 60% compared to traditional methods.

Sustainability: Non-caustic, lower-carbon formulation promotes safe, eco-friendly soil treatment, supporting circular economy practices through on-site material reuse.

Operational Efficiency: Minimises open excavation risks, reduces environmental exposure, and mitigates third-party risks, traffic disruptions, and social impact.
Future-Ready: Provides a compliant, sustainable solution ahead of regulatory changes, including the expiration of RPS 298/299 in 2025.

Why Choose SoilDri SEM?

Commercial Efficiency: SoilDri SEM, depending on the required addition rate, achieves an average material cost savings of 50–75% compared to conventional methods, while also enhancing programme efficiency and boosting productivity.

Sustainability: With SoilDri SEM, utilities can confidently manage trench arisings, reducing environmental impacts of CO2, NO2 and PM10, and achieve operational KPIs without compromise.

Compliance: By transforming waste into a valuable resource, SoilDri empowers the utilities sector to meet the demands of modern infrastructure projects while safeguarding compliance to RPS298, WM3, EWC and SROH.

Safety First: Non-toxic and non-caustic properties enhance worker safety and reduce handling risks, quicker backfill times reduces trip and fall hazards.
Year-Round Usability: Effective in all weather conditions, ensuring continuous project progress.

For more information on SoilDri, please get in touch with [email protected] or visit www.soildri.com