idverde and MRL launch Orizome®, a new topsoil process

idverde and MRL will test for a year the Orizome® process for manufacturing topsoil designed by the Lille agency ofidverde in partnership with MRL. Four types of topsoil reconstructed from waste from building sites will be the subject of this experiment. This innovative process is an alternative to the stripping of agricultural land while making more use of construction waste; this soil will thus be 100% recycled and recyclable.

This first experiment is taking place in a 200 square meter space, inaugurated on June 23 and located in a district of the city of Loos selected by Anru as a site of national interest in terms of urban renewal. The full-scale test will be used to analyze the intrinsic properties of the soils; idverde and MRL will share the results of this experiment with Lille Métropole Européenne and the city of Lille, associated with the operation.

If the results of these tests are positive – in terms of useful water reserve, agronomic quality, physico-chemical properties –, idverde and MRL plan to create a dedicated production space in order to industrialize the manufacture of an Orizome® range and market it to the entire French landscaping industry.

Reconstructed topsoil can solve a key issue for local communities. They want both to de-impermeabilize the soil to better fight against flooding and to create new planted areas within the framework of equipment projects allowing in particular the creation of urban cool islands.

This experiment responds to the challenges of the Climate and Resilience law of August 22, 2021, which set the objective of zero net artificialisation (ZAN) of soils by 2050, with an intermediate target of reducing the rate of consumption of these spaces by 50% by 2031. Over the next decade, the destruction of natural, agricultural or forest soils will thus have to be halved compared to the previous decade.

« The reconstruction of topsoil is a new solution for local authorities who nevertheless wish to continue to equip them with housing, transport infrastructure or sports facilities without drawing on the reserves of natural topsoil. It is in line with idverde's objectives to widely deploy new nature-based climate solutions. "- Mathieu BEAUVILLAIN, Director of the agency idverde from lille

« We have been working for many years on technosols and study all their new applications – maintenance of urban ecosystem services, urban agriculture for example. This partnership with idverde is fully in line with the environmental ambitions of MRL and VINCI Construction. It confirms our expertise in terms of circular economy applied to soil de-artificialization. "- François CHOQUET, MRL Materials Director