The Wisdom of the Green Shade: The Prosperity and Future of Phytoremediation - March 2025

The Wisdom of the Green Shade: The Prosperity and Future of Phytoremediation - March 2025

In the 2020s, "phytoremediation" (environmental remediation technology using plants), which utilizes plants as a countermeasure against environmental pollution, is attracting worldwide attention.
This technology is being researched and developed by many countries and companies because of its low cost and environmental impact compared to conventional physical and chemical treatments.

The overall bioremediation market is estimated to be worth US$15.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$32.5 billion by 2030.
This growth is fueled by growing environmental awareness and increasing demand for sustainable technologies.
Phytoremediation is particularly effective in removing heavy metal contamination and organic pollutants from soil and groundwater, and its application is expanding.

In Japan, the phytoremediation market was estimated to be about 100 million yen in 1999, but was projected to grow to about 25 billion yen by 2020.
In fact, demonstration experiments using ferns to remediate soil contaminated with lead and cadmium have been conducted in Okayama and Ibaraki prefectures, with positive results.
In addition, experimental cultivation using sunflowers and marigolds has been conducted in Himeji City, Hyogo Prefecture, and is expected to be effective in absorbing toxic substances in the soil.

In Japan, major construction companies are engaged in R&D and practical application of phytoremediation technology.
For example, Taisei Corporation, Fujita Corporation, Nittetsu Engineering, Takenaka Corporation, and Kajima Corporation have commercialized technologies for purification of oils, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and heavy metals.
These companies are promoting technological development to reduce environmental impact and realize a sustainable society.

In the United States, phytoremediation has been implemented in lead-contaminated soil in Illinois and oil-contaminated land in California, and has entered the practical stage.
In these projects, specific plant species have been used to effectively remove contaminants and successfully restore the environment.

Phytoremediation has the potential to become an important pillar of future environmental policy as a low-cost and sustainable pollution remediation technology.
As the technology advances, more efficient plant species are being developed and used in combination with other environmental remediation technologies.
Furthermore, the concept of "sustainable remediation," which integrates environmental, economic, and social aspects of sustainable soil remediation by companies and municipalities, is developing and is expected to spread in the future.

Thus, phytoremediation is becoming increasingly important in the 2020s as a technology that balances environmental conservation and economic growth.
As countries and companies continue their efforts, technological innovation and practical application are expected to further accelerate.