M3R uses bacteria, fungi, and plants for sustainable bioremediation of toxic soil from former mines globally.
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Thousands of former mines leave toxic legacies, posing environmental risks like water degradation and desertification, as seen in examples from Ukraine and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Despite the urgency, there is a significant gap between the estimated €30 billion needed for remediation in places like Italy and the current annual market value of only €3 billion. M3R, a spin-off from the University of Milan Bicocca led by biotechnologist Tatiana Stella, addresses this need using bacteria, fungi, and plants to treat heavy metal contamination. The company has grown organically through project revenue, focusing on integrating scientific innovation with sustainability across its remediation processes. M3R employs various techniques, such as bioleaching for water and phytoremediation (phytostabilization or phytoextraction) for soil, tailored to specific site conditions. Their model emphasizes environmental (avoiding harsh chemicals), economic (low-energy technologies), and social sustainability. While scalability is case-by-case, M3R focuses on continuous innovation and expertise, targeting large industrial owners and public bodies both in Europe and internationally.
