04.06.2025
3 minutes of reading
Press release
Paris, 4 june 2025
Against a backdrop of climate change and the quest for food security, where over 60% of European soils are degraded, soil quality has become a priority issue. This is reflected in the regulatory framework currently being introduced, notably in France with the “Net Zero Artificialization” law and in Europe with the future European Soil Monitoring and Resilience Directive.
To accompany these environmental and societal changes, IFP Energies nouvelles (IFPEN), within the framework of the IFPEN Ressources Energétiques Carnot Institute, and Valorhiz have joined forces to create a sustainable soil carbon laboratory, dubbed “LabCom”.
Funded by the French National Research Agency (ANR) as part of its program to support the creation of a joint laboratory between an SME or a micro-company and a research organization, the purpose of this laboratory is to improve soil analysis techniques, particularly with respect to low-carbon soils, in order to meet the challenges of the restoration and sustainable management of degraded and recycled soils.
An innovative analysis methodology adapted to low-carbon soils
In 2023, IFPEN and Valorhiz joined forces to study low-carbon soils. Objective: to assess their potential to store atmospheric carbon and use them as carbon sinks. The approach developed to characterize organic carbon in soils and the quality of organic matter drew on IFPEN's historical know-how in the analysis of soil and subsoil organic matter, and on Valorhiz's expertise in functional diagnosis and the ecological rehabilitation of soils using solutions inspired by nature.
This partnership, set up within the context of the French government’s France Relance project, aimed at maintaining and supporting the employment of young research graduates, resulted in the development of a technology adapted to the characterization of organic carbon in soils with very low carbon concentrations.
”Our method for analyzing the quality and quantity of organic matter in carbon-poor soils has produced very good results in terms of precision and reliability. In particular, that’s thanks to the Rock-Eval® characterization technology developed by IFPEN, which allows us to obtain data more quickly and efficiently than conventional methods. The aim is to propose eco-responsible optimized soil management solutions based on indicators relating to the quality and sustainability of carbon in soils. This is crucially important for assessing the capacity of soils to sequester atmospheric CO2", explain Jean-François Argillier, Program Manager, and Maira Alves-Fortunato, IFPEN Project Manager.
A joint laboratory to capitalize on the soil analysis method
In March 2025, in order to structure and ensure the long-term future of their analysis services, IFPEN and Valorhiz launched a joint laboratory known as the Sustainable soil carbon lab. The aim is to pool the partners’ measurement instruments in order to offer a unique and innovative approach to characterizing the processes taking place in soils. The laboratory will combine two complementary technologies (Rock-Eval® and Near Infrared) for large-scale soil carbon analysis, coupled with technologies for characterizing the hydro-structural and microbiological functioning of soils, based on dedicated decision-making tools developed by Valorhiz.
Growing needs and concrete projects
With 60% of Europe's soil degraded, demand for soil quality analyses and restoration solutions is increasing rapidly.
This joint laboratory will address the needs of various players (academic, institutional, industrial, public and private developers, design and engineering firms, chambers of agriculture, carbon offsetting players, etc.) involved in a broad spectrum of projects, such as the management of linear transport infrastructures, the ecological rehabilitation of former industrial sites and farmland, soil restoration and the re-development of urban and peri-urban brownfield sites.
”This unique laboratory represents an essential component in Valorhiz's functional diagnostic services targeting soils and ecosystems in general. It is the culmination of several years of collaborative research with IFPEN and will enable us to reinforce our business in France and internationally. Valorhiz will be pursuing and strengthening its partnership with IFPEN in order to maintain its technological lead in the field of soil carbon analysis and management. We will also continue working with IFPEN on the design and implementation of innovative and sustainable solutions for soil preservation and management, and for mitigating the impacts of climate change on our ecosystems”, emphasizes Hassan Bouckim, CEO of Valorhiz.
This soil carbon diagnosis and optimization service will be presented at the LAC Soil Carbon Research symposium in Brazil at the end of June 2025.
IFPEN press contacts: ifpen@ekno.fr
Valorhiz contacts: Hassan Bouckcim, hassan.boukcim@valorhiz.com
About IFPEN
IFPEN is the French national institute for research and training in the fields of energy, mobility and the environment. Its teams develop innovations for a low-carbon, sustainable world, covering the entire chain from scientific concepts through to technological solutions. From technologies and software to equipment and services, the institute’s low-carbon innovations are paving the way for the transition and facilitating the emergence of the industrial sectors of the future. IFPEN boldly imagines and meticulously designs solutions for society's future.
About Valorhiz
Valorhiz and its subsidiaries have developed recognized expertise in the design, supply and implementation of innovative solutions for the functional diagnosis, biological treatment and monitoring of soils and ecosystems. Valorhiz Group offers turnkey solutions aimed at professionals in the fields of the environment, ecological restoration, landscaping, urban development, agriculture and the circular economy. Our services cover all phases of a project, from diagnosis and study, through to the design, development and supply of bespoke nature-inspired solutions and their implementation. We also provide medium- and long-term project monitoring services. Valorhiz Group is active both in France and internationally.
www.valorhiz.com - www.cassia-technologies.com - https://talveg-innovations.com - www.holma-environnement.com