MetaFLO Technologies · Biopolymers
SoilTech is a biopolymer manufactured by MetaFLO Technologies for soil stabilization.
A bio-based soil stabilizer that strengthens roads, reduces maintenance, increases longevity while optimizing and reducing costs in the stabilization process.
In plain terms
SoilTech is a marine algae-derived biopolymer made by MetaFLO Technologies that stabilizes soil on mining haul roads, agricultural and forestry logistics roads, and in base, subbase, and subgrade layers for roads, industrial yards, heavy-duty pavements, and civil infrastructure projects. It cuts operational costs by up to 25% by reducing equipment passes by 30–50%, and is applied with a water truck at 0.01–0.03% by dry soil mass, one of the lowest application rates of any commercial stabilizer.
30–50%
Fewer equipment passes
Up to 25%
Lower operational cost
0.01–0.03%
Dosage by dry soil mass
CBR increase
What is SoilTech?
SoilTech is a biopolymer derived from marine algae, developed by MetaFLO Technologies for soil stabilization. It is a liquid, water-soluble solution that interacts with any type of soil and can also be used for the stabilization of tailings resulting from mineral extraction.
The solution acts on two fronts: it provides lubrication, which reduces the number of equipment passes by 30–50%, helping to reduce costs by up to 25%. It increases cohesion between soil particles, decreasing soil voids and achieving high density; the result is a stronger, more durable road structure that needs less maintenance.
SoilTech can be used on its own or combined with aggregates or cement in projects with higher CBR requirements, helping reduce material costs and carbon footprint without sacrificing performance.
What problems does SoilTech solve?
Most unpaved roads on mine sites, agricultural operations, and remote infrastructure projects struggle with weak soil performance, frequent maintenance, erosion, high aggregate consumption, and elevated stabilization costs.
SoilTech helps improve road longevity by increasing soil stability and reducing the number of equipment passes required during construction. This lowers fuel consumption, equipment wear, labor hours, and overall operational costs.
Depending on soil conditions and project requirements, SoilTech can also reduce imported aggregate consumption by 30–50% and cement usage by 50–95%.
How does SoilTech work?
SoilTech works through two complementary mechanisms. During soil mixing and compaction, the solution acts as a lubricant between soil particles, allowing them to rearrange more efficiently and achieve higher compaction densities with 30–50% fewer equipment passes. This can reduce stabilization costs by up to 25% through lower fuel consumption, reduced equipment wear, and improved construction efficiency.
As the treated soil cures, the biopolymer forms a cohesive matrix that binds soil particles together, reduces void spaces, and increases density. The result is a stronger, more durable structure with improved resistance to raveling, erosion, deformation, heavy traffic, and extreme climate conditions.
How does SoilTech compare?
| Criteria | Lime | Cement | Aggregates | SoilTech (Biopolymer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Solution Type | Chemical stabilization | Chemical stabilization | Physical solution (replacement / particle size improvement) | Biopolymer chemical stabilization |
| Applicable soil type | Mainly clay | Sandy to clayey | Mostly weak soils replaced | Sandy, silty, and clayey |
| Water consumption | Medium | High | Medium (compaction and moisture control) | Low – significantly reduced |
| Number of equipment passes | Medium | High | High | Reduced (scarifying, wetting, and compacting) |
| Compaction | Rigid | Rigid | Particle size dependent | More efficient, with better particle rearrangement |
| Elimination of voids | Average | Average | Low | High – binding and lubricating effect |
| Endurance gain (CBR) | +50–150% on clay soils | +100–300% | Variable (depends on the aggregate) | Standalone: +20–50%; when combined with cement, field results have already reached gains of over +4,500%.* |
| Durability | Average | High | Variable (depends on the aggregate) | High, low-maintenance |
| Environmental impact | Medium | High | Medium | Low – organic derivation and safe for terrestrial fauna |
| Complexity in application | Complex (needs to be mixed with the soil – increased labor) | Complex (needs to be mixed with the soil – increased labor) | Complex (high volume and needs to be mixed with the soil) | Simple, water-soluble, dosed directly into the water truck |
| Economic viability | Low | Low | Low | High – less water volume, less grading, and reduced maintenance |
| Dosages* | 3–10% by weight | 2–10% by weight | 15–30% vol. | 0.01–0.03% by dry soil mass |
| Dust generation for application | Yes | Yes | Variable (depends on the aggregate) | No, liquid form |
*Dosage and CBR results may vary depending on the soil type and project requirements.
Two benefits, one application
During construction
- 30–50% fewer equipment passes to achieve target density
- Lower fuel consumption per distance treated
- Reduced water demand during soil moisture conditioning
- Reduced equipment wear and maintenance
- Compatible with existing water trucks, graders, and compactors
After construction
- 20–50% improvement in CBR of natural soils
- Reduced permeability
- Improved resistance to deformation under load
- Reduced dust generation
- Improved resistance to erosion
How to apply SoilTech
Directly into the water truck
Because SoilTech is a liquid biopolymer fully soluble in water, it can be easily incorporated into the stabilization process using traditional earthwork and road stabilization equipment already available on site.
The product is diluted directly into the water truck and applied during the soil treatment process without the need for pre-mixing operations. Depending on site conditions, SoilTech can be diluted using saline, brackish, mine, or potable water.
1. Surface Preparation
The existing soil layer is scarified and prepared to the treatment depth defined in the project. Surface leveling is typically performed using motor graders and standard earthwork equipment.
2. Moisture Evaluation
Initial soil moisture is evaluated to determine the amount of water required to reach the target compaction conditions established during laboratory testing.
3. Product Dilution
The calculated SoilTech dosage is diluted directly into the first water truck. Because the product is highly water-soluble, no special agitation or pre-mixing systems are required.
4. Spray Application
The SoilTech solution is sprayed uniformly onto the prepared soil surface using standard water truck spraying methods.
5. Material Homogenization
The treated layer is homogenized using a motor grader, grader tractor, or soil-recycling machine to ensure uniform distribution throughout the soil. Proper homogenization is essential to maximize stabilization performance.
6. Compaction
The material is compacted using rollers suitable for the soil type and project conditions, helping achieve improved density, lower permeability, and higher mechanical performance with fewer equipment passes.
7. Field Verification and Opening
After compaction, field density and moisture conditions can be verified according to project specifications before releasing the treated surface to traffic or additional construction layers.
Where SoilTech is used
SoilTech can be used in different types of infrastructure projects,
including temporary and permanent applications using in-situ soils or aggregates.
Unpaved local and rural roads
Improves road performance, reduces maintenance frequency, and increases durability on low-volume and remote access roads.
Bases, sub-bases, and pavement subgrade
Enhances the structural performance of road foundation layers for paved and unpaved infrastructure projects.
Industrial and logistics yards
Stabilizes operational areas exposed to heavy traffic, repetitive loading, and maneuvering activities.
Earthworks, platforms, and maneuvering areas
Improves compaction efficiency and soil performance in construction platforms and operational earthwork areas.
Soil stabilization for different soil and aggregate types
Can be evaluated for sandy, silty, clayey, lateritic, granular, and mixed soils, as well as projects involving aggregates and mining materials.
Mining haul roads
Supports heavy axle loads and repetitive traffic while reducing maintenance frequency, water use, and operational costs, and controlling erosion and dust on active haul routes.
SoilTech in the field
Airport · Road Improvement
22% Cost Reduction on Airport Road Improvement
SoilTech helped reduce operational costs by 22%, cut equipment passes by up to 50%, and lowered the need for imported structural material during road improvement works at an airport.
22% cost reduction
Up to 50% fewer equipment passes
Less imported material
Agriculture · Logistics Road
CBR Jumps from 2.7% to 126.7% on Agricultural Road
Using only 0.02% SoilTech combined with 2% cement, the project increased soil CBR from 2.7% to 126.7%, delivering a stable and durable road base with reduced cement consumption.
0.02% SoilTech + 2% cement
CBR: 2.7% → 126.7%
Lower cement use
Infrastructure · Remote Access
46% Lower Project Cost on Remote Indigenous Community Road
Use of SoilTech reduced fuel consumption and polluting gas emissions by 27%, saved 2 labor hours, and lowered total project costs by approximately 46% during remote road construction activities.
46% lower project cost
27% less fuel & emissions
2 labor hours saved
Standards and compliance
Laboratory testing before full-scale application is recommended to confirm compatibility and optimize dosage.
MetaFLO can provide technical guidance and documentation on request.
ASTM D421
D421Soil characterization
Dry preparation of soil samples for particle-size analysis and determination of soil constants.
ASTM D698
Standard Proctor Compaction
Compaction behaviour testing determines optimum moisture content and maximum dry density for field spec.
ASTM D1883
California Bearing Ratio
CBR testing on treated soil samples before every application confirms dosage and performance targets.
ASTM D4318
Atterberg Limits
Testing for liquid limit, plastic limit, and plasticity index of soils.
ASTM D2166
Unconfined Compressive Strength
UCS testing verifies structural results under compressive loading.
Environmental
Bio-based
Marine algae-derived. No known toxicity to soil organisms or vegetation.
*SoilTech can meet other standards from different geographies. Consult our technical team for more information.
Common questions
How is SoilTech applied?
SoilTech is diluted directly into the water truck and sprayed onto the scarified soil surface. The treated layer is then homogenized using graders or soil-recycling equipment and compacted to the target density using standard earthwork equipment already available on site.
Because SoilTech is fully soluble in water, no pre-mixing plants or specialized mixing systems are required. Typical field dosage ranges from 0.01–0.03% by dry soil mass, depending on soil conditions and project requirements. Laboratory testing is recommended before application to define dosage and expected performance.
How does SoilTech compare to aggregates and cement?
Traditional stabilization methods often require large volumes of imported aggregates or cement to achieve the required structural performance. Aggregates can require 15–30% volumetric replacement, while Portland cement commonly ranges from 2–10% by weight depending on the soil type and engineering design.
SoilTech is typically applied at only 0.01–0.03% by dry soil mass and can improve compaction efficiency, reduce permeability, and increase mechanical performance while using existing in-situ soils.
When combined with aggregates or cement, SoilTech can reduce aggregate consumption by 30–50% and cement usage by 50–95%, helping lower logistics costs, operational costs, and CO₂ footprint while maintaining project performance requirements.
What soils does SoilTech work on?
SoilTech can be evaluated for sandy, silty, clayey, lateritic, granular, and mixed soils, including projects involving aggregates and mining materials.
Performance depends on soil composition, moisture conditions, particle size distribution, and project requirements. Laboratory testing is recommended before full-scale application to determine the optimal dosage, moisture conditions, and expected engineering performance.
What equipment is used to apply SoilTech?
SoilTech is applied using traditional earthwork and road stabilization equipment already available on most project sites, including water trucks, motor graders, soil recyclers, harrow tractors, and vibratory rollers.
Because the product is fully water-soluble, it is incorporated directly into the water truck without the need for pre-mixing plants, specialized batching systems, or dedicated stabilization fleets. This simplifies logistics and makes SoilTech suitable for remote projects and operational sites with limited infrastructure.
Is SoilTech environmentally safe?
Yes. Derived from seaweed, it has no known toxicity to soil organisms or vegetation. Ecotoxicity tests conducted with the product demonstrated the absence of significant adverse effects on test organisms and indicated environmental compatibility for soil application, reinforcing its non-toxic and bio-based profile when compared to conventional lime- and cement-based methods.
Can SoilTech be combined with lime, cement, or aggregates?
Yes. SoilTech can be used standalone or combined with lime, cement, or aggregates depending on the engineering requirements of the project.
When combined with traditional stabilization materials, SoilTech can help reduce aggregate consumption by 30–50% and cement usage by 50–95%, depending on soil conditions, design specifications, and laboratory results.
Laboratory testing is recommended to determine the optimal dosage and stabilization design for each project.
What testing standards does SoilTech meet?
SoilTech-treated soils can be evaluated using ASTM D421 (Soil Characterization), ASTM D698 (Standard Proctor Compaction), ASTM D1883 (CBR), ASTM D4318 (Atterberg Limits), ASTM D2166 (Unconfined Compressive Strength), and ASTM D1556 for in-situ density verification.
Pre-application laboratory testing is recommended to confirm dosage, moisture conditions, and expected engineering performance before full-scale application.
Can SoilTech be used for permanent roads?
Yes, both permanent and temporary. For paved roads, SoilTech is applied to the subgrade or subbase ahead of asphalt or concrete surfacing. For permanent unpaved roads like mine haul routes and agricultural logistics roads, it stabilizes the wearing course directly, extending structural life and reducing maintenance frequency.
Why is lab testing important before applying?
Lab testing confirms soil compatibility, determines the right dosage rate, and verifies that specified CBR and compaction results will be achieved at full scale. Without it, there's a risk of under-application (insufficient performance) or over-application (unnecessary cost).
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