When a Barracks Becomes a Residential Neighborhood: LCKW Renovation at Pioneer Park in Hanau

A military site is being transformed into a residential area—but before 5,000 people can move in, the subsoil must be safe. At the former Pioneer Barracks in Hanau, decades of solvent use in workshops and dry-cleaning facilities have contaminated the soil and groundwater with volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons (VCHs). To avoid delaying the transformation into a modern urban neighborhood, a targeted in-situ remediation using ISCR was initiated—an approach that not only works but also delivers convincing results.

Image source: Evonik Industries

The former Pioneer Barracks in Hanau were set to be transformed into something new: Pioneer Park, a modern residential neighborhood for about 5,000 people. Green spaces, new buildings, urban living—an ambitious urban development project that will shape Hanau for years to come. But the subsoil told a different story. Decades of dry cleaning operations on the barracks grounds had left their mark: volatile organic compounds (VOCs) had seeped deep into the soil and groundwater, posing a serious challenge to the planned redevelopment. Without effective remediation—no Pioneer Park.

On an active development site, time is a scarce resource. Traditional remediation methods, such as soil excavation or pumping out groundwater, would have meant:

• Major disruptions to ongoing construction site logistics
• High costs for excavation, transportation, and disposal
• Significant delays in the construction schedule
• High energy consumption and greater CO₂ emissions

We had to find another way—one that works without holding everything up.

The answer lay in the subsoil itself. Using the in-situ chemical reduction (ISCR) method, the contaminant was treated right where it was located—without excavation, without pumping, and without disrupting surface operations.

Using solid-phase injection, Evonik’s EHC®Reagent was specifically introduced into the contaminated soil zones. The active ingredient is more than just a simple oxidizing agent—it combines two mechanisms of action in one:

• Zero-valent iron (ZVI) facilitates the chemical reduction of VOCs
• Organic carbon activates and promotes microbial degradation in the subsurface

Together, they deliver a deep-cleaning, long-lasting effect—invisible, yet highly effective.

A project of this complexity can only succeed through the collaboration of experienced professionals. It was carried out by a well-coordinated team of specialized partners:

• Evonik – Development and Supply of the EHC® Reagent
• AECOM – Environmental Consulting and Remediation Planning
• Sensatec – Technical Implementation of Injection Work
• LEG Hessen-Hanau / BIG BAU – Owner and Project Developer
• City of Hanau – Government Coordination and Support

The numbers clearly demonstrate the success of the initiative. A pilot study conducted in 2020 already showed an exceptionally high reduction rate. Subsequent results confirmed what the method had promised:

• 18 months until VOC levels are nearly completely reduced
• Measurements taken in 2024 confirm that most values are already well below the remediation targets
• Long-lasting effectiveness without the need for further procedures

The remediation is complete—and the way is clear. Pioneer Park Hanau can now become what it was meant to be: a modern, green, and livable home for thousands of people. Clean soil, clean groundwater, a clean future.

This project demonstrates that urban transformation and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive. Former military sites can be reimagined—in a sustainable, efficient, and forward-looking way. Pioneer Park is a compelling example of this.

• ELEMENTS – The innovation magazine Evonik
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• Report in *Altlasten Spektrum* 03-2025 (1.31 MB)