The technology enables Headlands to treat soil contaminated by invasive plant species
CHILLIWACK, B.C., July 14th, 2026 – Headlands Environmental, one of Western Canada’s leading environmental services providers, is pleased to announce the next phase of its soil management capabilities.
Construction is now underway on Headlands’ new soil steaming system at its Shxwhá:y Village Soil Management Facility operated by Headlands in Chilliwack. Built in partnership with SoilSteam International, the system will allow Headlands to treat soil impacted by invasive plant species — including Japanese Knotweed, one of British Columbia’s most aggressive invasive plants.
“As demand continues to grow for sustainable solutions that recover and repurpose contaminated soils, we’re expanding our capabilities with another proven technology,” says Mike Hofer, President, Headlands Environmental. “Soil steaming is a proven and effective European soil recovery method. Being the first to bring the technology to North America reflects our commitment to innovation and providing more soil treatment options to maximize resource recovery and help our clients achieve better environmental outcomes.”
Developed by SoilSteam International in Norway, the chemical-free technology uses thermal treatment to eliminate invasive species, plant diseases, and other biological contaminants, while preserving the soil’s structure and value. That means soil can be reused rather than landfilled or replaced with newly extracted material. Millions of tonnes of soil are landfilled worldwide each year simply because they contain seeds, roots, or other biological contaminants.
“The need to protect soil resources is becoming increasingly important,” says Hans Kristian Westrum, Head of Business Development at SoilSteam International. “By recovering existing soil, society can reduce the need for extracting new materials, limit landfill volumes and contribute to more circular and sustainable soil management. And we are thrilled to partner with Headlands in bringing our technology to North America for the first time.”
The investment in soil steaming is a natural extension of Headlands’ commitment to circular resource use. The company recently opened a new mobile, soil washing plant – also the first of its kind in North America – to treat chemically contaminated soil. With the addition of soil steaming, Headlands can now handle both chemical and biological contamination.
“By combining soil washing with SoilSteam’s thermal treatment technology, we can offer our clients a complete solution for soil recovery,” says Hofer. “Our goal is to turn valuable soil back into a usable resource, instead of sending it to landfill.”
About Headlands Environmental
Headlands Environmental (Headlands) is an environmental services company based in Chilliwack, British Columbia. Its facility offers the first mobile, modular, scalable, dual-feed soil washing plant in North America. As an experienced team in the industry since 2008, Headlands has successfully managed many environmental projects for all levels of industry, government, and First Nations, both locally in British Columbia and internationally. HeadlandsEnvironmental.com
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About SoilSteam International
SoilSteam International AS develops and manufactures machines for the recovery of biologically contaminated soil and growing substrates. The technology makes it possible to eliminate invasive species, plant diseases and other biological contaminants through thermal treatment, allowing soil and substrates to be reused instead of landfilled. Soilsteam.com
Media contact:
Samantha Falk: sam@samfalk.com
