MetaFLO Technologies · Biopolymers
Biopolymer for dust control developed by MetaFLO Technologies
A Seaweed-derived dust suppressant and dust palliative developed for unpaved surfaces that reduces airborne dust, improves air quality, lowers water consumption, and enhances operational conditions in areas exposed to traffic and wind.
In plain terms
DusTech is a seaweed-derived biopolymer made by MetaFLO Technologies that is applied directly through standard water trucks for dust suppression on unpaved surfaces. It helps reduce airborne dust generation on mining haul roads, agricultural and forestry logistics roads, industrial yards, construction sites, sand dunes, stockpiles, and material storage areas exposed to traffic and wind. DusTech can reduce dust control operational costs by up to 30% while lowering water consumption by up to 67%, helping improve air quality, visibility, and operational conditions across industrial and remote environments.
At least 50%
Reduction in watering frequency
Up to 67%
Reduction in water consumption
Up to 30%
Reduction in operational costs
Reduction in polluting gas emissions
What is DusTech?
DusTech is a biopolymer derived from seaweed, developed by MetaFLO Technologies for dust control on unpaved surfaces. Environmentally safe for terrestrial fauna and easy to apply, it is a liquid, water-soluble solution that reduces dust generation, improves surface stability, enhances air quality, and lowers water consumption by up to 67%, even in hot, dry environments with high solar exposure.
Because DusTech is fully liquid and highly soluble, it can be dosed directly into standard water trucks without premixing plants, mechanical blending, or specialized application equipment. Its low dosage strategy simplifies logistics, reduces storage requirements, and allows gradual dosage reduction over time as the surface conditioning develops. The result is a simpler and more efficient dust suppression operation with fewer watering cycles, up to 30% lower operational costs, and at least 50% reduction in watering frequency compared to conventional water-only dust suppression practices.
What problems does DusTech solve?
Unpaved roads, mining haul roads, industrial yards, construction sites, and logistics areas often experience excessive dust generation caused by dry weather, heavy traffic, wind exposure, and loose surface particles. These conditions can reduce visibility, impact occupational air quality, increase operational risks, accelerate equipment wear, and raise water consumption and operational costs due to frequent watering cycles, especially in remote regions with limited access to water.
DusTech helps reduce airborne dust by binding fine surface particles and improving surface moisture retention, especially in hot, dry environments with high solar exposure. Depending on operational conditions, DusTech applications may reduce watering frequency by at least 50%, while simplifying field operations through compatibility with saline, mine process, brackish, or potable water sources.
How does DusTech work?
DusTech works by binding surface particles within the treated zone, creating a more cohesive and erosion-resistant surface that helps reduce airborne dust generation caused by traffic and wind exposure on unpaved surfaces. As the biopolymer interacts with the surface, it increases particle cohesion and improves moisture retention, helping maintain dust suppression performance for longer periods compared to conventional water-only applications. This helps reduce the release of airborne particulate matter (PM), including fine dust commonly generated on haul roads, industrial yards, mining operations, and construction areas.
This mechanism reduces the need for frequent watering cycles, even in hot, dry environments with high solar exposure. Depending on operational conditions, DusTech applications may lower water truck cycles per day by up to 67%, helping decrease water consumption, diesel usage, and operational costs while improving visibility, air quality, and surface conditions. DusTech does not leave the road surface slippery after application.
How does DusTech compare?
| Criterion | Water (without additive) | Hygroscopic salts (CaCl₂, MgCl₂, NaCl) |
Lignosulfonates | Synthetic polymers | Resins / Bituminous | DusTech (Biopolymer) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduction of wetting | Base (reference) | Good to High | Moderate | Good to High | High | Moderate (>50–70% better than water) |
| Requires minimal humidity in the air | N/A | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Environmental assurance (ecotoxicity) | Water | Can be toxic | Biodegradable | Varies with formulation | High impact | Soil-safe biopolymer |
| Applicable to any type of soil | Not very effective in granular soils | Best in soils with fines; low efficiency in very sandy soils | Requires the presence of fines for good agglutination | Depends on adequate particle size distribution | Best on well-graded and compacted bases | Effective for any type of soil and even ores |
| Residual action (remaining after drying/rain) | ✘ No | ✘ Loses after rain | ✘ Loses (soluble) | ✔ Yes (depending on polymer) | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes (residual after 12h of curing for each application) |
| Requires frequent reapplications | Very common | Moderate | Moderate | Less frequent | Very little | Less frequent |
| Operational cost | Low | Medium | Medium | Medium-high | High | Medium |
| Film forming / coating | ✘ No | ✘ No | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes | ✔ Yes (biopolymer binds with soil particles) |
| Application complexity | Very simple | Simple | Simple | Simple to moderate | Complex | Simple (dosed on the water truck) |
How to apply DusTech
Directly into the water truck
DusTech is applied directly through standard water trucks without the need for specialized mixing plants, mechanical blending, or complex field preparation. The The dosage is based on the volume of water.
1. Analyze the surface
Evaluate soil type, surface condition, traffic intensity, and climate exposure to define the appropriate dosage strategy.
| Soil condition | 1st Application | 2nd Application | 3rd Application | 4th Application | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fine soils | 3.00% | 1.00% | 0.75% | 0.50% | 0.25% |
| Coarse, loose soils | 3.00% | 0.75% | 0.50% | — | 0.25% |
| Coarse, compacted soils | 3.00% | 0.75% | — | — | 0.25% |
2. Dose directly into the water truck
DusTech is pumped directly into the water truck and diluted in water without premixing or agitation. Its liquid, highly soluble formulation simplifies logistics and field application.
3. Spray the solution
Apply the solution uniformly across the surface using standard water truck sprinklers. No mechanical soil mixing is required and traffic can return immediately after application.
4. Monitor and maintain
Monitor dust levels, traffic intensity, and weather conditions to define maintenance intervals. Depending on operational conditions, DusTech has the potential to reduce watering frequency significantly.
Where DusTech is used
DusTech can be applied across different operational environments exposed to dust generation, traffic, wind, and dry climate conditions.
Local and rural roads
Helps reduce airborne dust, improve visibility, and lower watering frequency on low-volume and remote access roads.
Mine access roads, haul roads, and maintenance roads
Supports dust suppression on active mining routes exposed to heavy traffic, repetitive truck movement, and dry operational conditions.
Industrial and logistics yards
Improves surface conditions and reduces dust generation in operational areas exposed to heavy traffic and material handling activities.
Construction sites
Helps control airborne particulate matter and surface dust generated during earthworks, transportation, and construction operations.
Sand dunes
Reduces wind erosion and helps stabilize loose sand surfaces exposed to dry and windy environments.
Stockpiles and material storage areas
Helps suppress dust emissions and reduce material loss caused by wind exposure and operational movement.
Communities and municipal unpaved roads
Improves air quality and reduces dust impacts in residential, agricultural, and community access areas exposed to vehicle traffic.
DusTech in the field
Forestry · Logistics Roads
From 2-Hour to 18-Hour Watering Intervals on Forestry Logistics Roads
DusTech increased watering intervals from every 2 hours to up to 18 hours during dust suppression operations on forestry logistics roads, reducing operational dependency on continuous water application while improving dust control performance.
Up to 67% reduction in water consumption
Up to 76% reduction in diesel consumption
Reduction from 6 to 2 water trucks per day
Watering interval extended from every 2 hours to up to 18 hours
Construction · Civil Works
53% Less Water Consumption on Construction Dust Suppression Operations
DusTech helped reduce airborne dust generation on a construction site while improving visibility, air quality, and operational safety. Applied directly through standard water trucks, the solution reduced dependency on continuous watering operations during active civil works.
Up to 53% reduction in water consumption
160,000 liters of water saved per day
Up to 46% reduction in fuel consumption and polluting gas emissions
Up to 43% reduction in labor and machinery operational costs
Standards and air quality references
Dust suppression projects should be evaluated according to site conditions, operational exposure, traffic intensity, and airborne particulate generation. MetaFLO can provide technical guidance, application protocols, and operational support for dosage optimization and field implementation.
WHO Air Quality Guidelines
The World Health Organization (WHO) publishes global air quality guidelines for airborne particulate matter, including PM10 and PM2.5 associated with dust exposure and air pollution.
PM2.5 Annual Average: 5 µg/m³
PM10 Annual Average: 15 µg/m³
OSHA Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard
The United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) establishes occupational exposure limits for respirable crystalline silica and silica dust generated during industrial, mining, and construction activities.
Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL): 50 µg/m³ (8-hour TWA)
Action Level: 25 µg/m³ (8-hour TWA)
MSHA Mining Silica Rule
The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) updated silica exposure requirements for mining operations to reduce worker exposure to respirable crystalline silica dust generated during mining activities.
Respirable Crystalline Silica Limit: 50 µg/m³ (8-hour TWA)
Common sources: haul roads, crushing operations, stockpiles, drilling activities, traffic-generated fugitive dust.
EPA AP-42 Unpaved Roads
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes unpaved roads as a significant source of airborne particulate matter emissions and fugitive dust generated by traffic and surface dust suspension.
Common monitored fractions:
- PM10
- PM2.5
- Fugitive dust
- Traffic-generated particulate matter
Environmental profile
Seaweed-derived formulation
Seaweed-derived biopolymer developed for dust suppression on unpaved operational surfaces.
Operational compatibility
Compatible with saline, mine, brackish, or potable water
No mechanical soil mixing required
Applied directly through standard water trucks
Technical note: Performance may vary according to climate conditions, soil composition, traffic intensity, and operational practices. Site-specific field evaluations are recommended before full-scale implementation.
Common questions
What is DusTech used for?
DusTech is used for dust suppression on unpaved roads, mining haul roads, industrial yards, construction sites, stockpiles, and other operational surfaces exposed to traffic and wind.
How does DusTech reduce dust?
DusTech binds surface particles and enhances moisture retention, helping reduce airborne particulate matter generated by traffic and wind exposure on unpaved surfaces.
Can DusTech reduce water consumption?
Yes. Depending on operational conditions, DusTech applications may reduce water consumption by up to 67% compared to conventional water-only dust suppression practices.
How often does DusTech need reapplication?
Reapplication frequency depends on traffic intensity, soil type, climate, and operational conditions.
Does DusTech work with saline or mine water?
Yes. DusTech is compatible with saline, mine, brackish, or potable water, helping simplify operations in remote and water-restricted environments.
Does DusTech require specialized equipment?
No. DusTech is applied directly through standard water trucks without premixing plants, mechanical blending, or specialized application systems.
What is haul road dust suppression?
Haul road dust suppression is the process of controlling airborne dust generated by heavy vehicle traffic on mining and industrial roads. DusTech supports haul road dust suppression by binding surface particles, enhancing moisture retention, and reducing watering frequency on unpaved operational surfaces.
What is fugitive dust?
Fugitive dust refers to airborne particulate matter generated from exposed surfaces such as haul roads, stockpiles, construction sites, and industrial yards. Common sources include vehicle traffic, wind erosion, crushing operations, and material handling activities.
Can DusTech help control silica dust?
DusTech helps reduce airborne particulate matter generated on unpaved operational surfaces, including silica dust commonly associated with mining, crushing, construction, and haul road activities.
What types of dust can DusTech help control?
DusTech helps reduce airborne particulate matter generated on unpaved operational surfaces, including PM10, PM2.5, fugitive dust, silica dust, and traffic-generated dust commonly associated with mining, industrial, and construction activities.
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