Innovation

Instead of relying solely on traditional environmental cleanup methods, TERRA developed an innovative approach by combining and adapting well-established engineering techniques from a number of sectors, using them to reach pollutants buried far beneath the surface.

“The technologies already existed, just not in contaminated site remediation. We took different methods from various sectors and applied them in a completely new context,” said Wegele.

One key example is the adapted use of replacement drilling. Originally developed for special foundation engineering, this technique is used to drill deep holes and fill them with concrete. TERRA applied this technology to environmental remediation by drilling multiple adjacent holes to reach deep contamination layers and remove polluted soil. This cross-application method enables the company to address contamination at depths that traditional remediation approaches cannot reach, contributing to more resilient infrastructure and more efficient use of existing resources.

Inspiration

After years in deep foundation engineering, Steffen Wegele, feeling a lack of appreciation and limited autonomy, realised he could apply the same skills to build something of his own.

“The things I was doing in my old company, I could just as well do in my own business,” he said.

This realisation, combined with conversations with a former colleague who shared his mindset, ultimately led to the founding of TERRA.

Wegele’s background shaped the company’s focus. After an apprenticeship in concrete construction and military service, he studied civil engineering and gained experience in deep foundation engineering and environmental remediation. The company’s name itself reflects the founders’ vision:

Tiefbau (civil engineering)

Erdbau (earthworks) 

Recycling

Ressourcenmanagement (resource management)

Altlastensanierung (contaminated site remediation)

These capture the founders’ intention to combine their engineering background with meaningful, solution-orientated environmental work.

Overall impact

TERRA’s work has had a profound but often invisible impact on the environment and the communities it serves. By removing hazardous pollutants from soil and preventing contaminants from spreading into groundwater, the company restores land that would otherwise pose long-term risks to human health and ecosystems.

One of the unique challenges of contaminated site retention is that its success cannot easily be seen. Unlike new buildings or visible infrastructure improvements, environmental cleanup leaves no physical evidence behind. As Steffen Wegele explains,

“When we are done, there’s nothing visible to show for it. The site usually looks the same as it did before, just without the pollution.”

The invisible impact, however, is exactly what makes the work so vital. While the surface remains unchanged, the land beneath becomes safe and ready for future use.

A defining example is the series of large remediation projects in Ingelheim for a pharmaceutical manufacturer. The team handled contaminants that became highly hazardous upon contact with air. The company constructed a 100-meter-long, 60-meter-wide and 10-meter-deep tent structure with controlled airlocks. Workers wore full protective suits, and contaminated soil was sealed, transported by rail and incinerated under strict safety conditions. These measures ensured zero environmental leakage and protected surrounding communities. The impact is significant: restored soil quality, safer groundwater supplies and land that can be reused for industry or development without risks for future generations.

Business benefit

TERRA’s business model relies on a flat hierarchy and low administrative overhead costs. Instead of multiple layers of management, clients work directly with the two managing directors, ensuring transparent communication, rapid decision-making and high accountability. Customers appreciate this approach, especially in complex projects requiring quick solutions. Wegele and his partner personally calculated, planned and oversaw projects which minimized costs and enabled competitive pricing. This was critical because approximately 80% of German remediation projects were publicly tendered and awarded to the lowest bidder.

TERRA made use of cost-effective solutions which clearly diversified them from its competitors. By reusing material, they reduced disposal expenses and by identifying efficient remediation strategies, the company helped clients manage substantial environmental challenges within tight budgets.

As the number of heavily contaminated sites decreased in Germany, the company strategically shifted from exclusive remediation work more toward earthworks, while maintaining its technical depth and operational efficiency.

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Social and environmental benefit

The company’s distribution to society is rooted in preventing environmental harm before it can occur. While a remediate site may look unchanged on the surface, the underlying transformation is profound. By removing contaminated pollutants, TERRA prevents the spread of toxins into ecosystems, groundwater and agricultural land, directly advancing clean water protection (SDG 6) and the safeguarding of terrestrial ecosystems (SDG 15). The Ingelheim projects show the societal importance of TERRA’s work. Dangerous contaminants were safely contained, extracted and neutralised, which eliminated long-term risks for residents, workers and ecosystems. On construction sites, the company used biofuels and bio-based oils to reduce the environmental footprint of operations.

Their clients, public or private, know now that formerly polluted areas no longer pose hidden threats while also complying to the German regulatory frameworks. By working closely with public authorities and operating transparently throughout each project, TERRA fosters trust and ensures that environmental decisions are understood and supported by those affected. 

Interview

Dipl. Ing. Steffen Wegele, Co-founder

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