Purple Alternative Surface offers an innovation to permeate soils by recovering plastic waste

The deputies adopted on Tuesday June 27 at first reading in the National Assembly the bill relating to “Zero Net Artificialization of soils” (ZAN), resulting from the Climate and Resilience law. The final vote in the Senate is scheduled for July 13. A proposed law which includes a set of measures aimed at limiting construction to limit the concreteization of the territory, and in particular to combat the artificialization of soils.

Artificialization is defined as “the lasting alteration of all or part of the ecological functions of a soil, in particular its biological, water and climatic functions, as well as its agronomic potential through its occupation or use”. (Article L.101-2-2-1 of the town planning code). The ZAN bill adopted by the National Assembly last week aims to halve by 2031 the rate of consumption of natural and agricultural spaces compared to the previous decade, when 250.000 ha were concreted.

In France, between 20.000 and 30.000 hectares are artificialized each year, which represents 35.000 football fields on average. An artificialization of soils which is accompanied by numerous harmful effects on the environment and in particular on water resources. Thus, artificial soil encourages runoff and loses its capacity to absorb rainwater, thus increasing the risk of flooding. Artificialization also promotes drought, by slowing down the recharge of water tables.

An innovative solution for permeabilizing soils

Purple Alternative Surface is a French start-up which, through innovation, provides a solution to both the harmful effects of soil artificialization and the problem of non-recycled plastic waste. After two years of R&D, the company developed a unique innovation making it possible to recycle plastic waste which was until now not recyclable (3 million tonnes of plastic waste are thus buried or incinerated each year in France), for transform into permeable, eco-responsible slabs.

With its solution, Purple Alternative Surface offers a response to the challenges posed by the artificialization of soils while respecting new permeability standards. A real asset for construction industry players and decision-makers within communities. The permeability of the coating developed helps to filter and infiltrate rainwater deep into the soil, and its patented surface storage of 40L/m² eliminates the constraint of a buried retention basin. A solution that allows communities to continue their rational development projects, in compliance with the measures included in the ZAN law. Purple Solo tiles^® and Purple Pav^® are simple to implement and have already attracted several construction players. Thus, more than 4 m² of permeable slabs have already been installed, representing 000 tonnes of plastic waste which was not recycled.

An asset recognized by construction industry players

A sign of the relevance of the approach proposed by the Purple Alternative Surface teams, several major players in urban planning and construction have retained the products developed by the start-up for their various programs.

The Greater Paris Metropolis selected the start-up among the winners of its “Metropolitan Districts of Innovation” program. The company's solution will thus be put into practice in partnership with the towns of Meudon, Sceaux, Noisy-le-Grand and Aulnay-sous-Bois.

Purple Alternative Surface was also awarded at the Viva Technology show by the Bouygues group. The Belfort-based start-up was awarded the Best Collaborations Prize by Olivier Roussat, Managing Director of the Bouygues Group. Indeed, the Colas company, a subsidiary of the Bouygues Group and specialized in transport and construction infrastructures, already offers the solution developed by Purple Alternative Surface.

The company was also selected in July 2023 by the Sekoya platform run by the Eiffage group. This initiative makes it possible to run a “low-carbon industrial club”, bringing together large groups, SMEs and start-ups providing low-carbon technical solutions. The platform's call for solutions, with a dual theme of “Deconstructing to build better” and “Water and its responsible uses” saw 34 companies submit their projects. Objective: Identify and highlight the solutions of the most innovative companies, promoting the emergence of sustainable cities and infrastructures and thus supporting the deployment of low-carbon solutions, fighting against climate change. Among 5 winners highlighted by this initiative, we find the Purple Alternative Surface solution.

Finally, the company is one of the finalists for the EnterPRIZE prize, set up by Generali, under the patronage of Bruno Le Maire, Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industrial and Digital Sovereignty. An initiative which aims to identify and reward SMEs having implemented a virtuous economic model and activities having a positive impact on their internal and external ecosystem.