After more than five years of research and development, Toledo’s
AquaBlok has finally released its signature product, which has the same name as the company. The product has several purposes, including isolating contaminated sediments, acting as a nutrient management tool and water clarifier and serving as a seed delivery alternative for wetland plant restoration.
“AquaBlok provides a low-permeability ‘seal’ under water without any mechanical compaction or special equipment,” explains John Collins, general manager and chief operating officer. “You simply pour it through the water, and it creates an isolation layer that will minimize water flow or the spread of contaminants.”
According to Collins, AquaBlok is a patented composite particle technology that uses a central core, typically stone aggregate, to deliver various fine-grained coating materials for a broad range of environmental applications. The particles act as a delivery system, placing active ingredients through a water column or targeting locations apt to come into contact with water.
“It was successfully tested by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in a 2005 project under the Superfund Innovation Technology Evaluation program,” Collins says.
While there are competing approaches to AquaBlok, it’s a patented product and there are no directly competing products, he notes. “Primarily we offer ease of handling and simplicity. Other approaches can easily fail if materials are not handled or installed properly. Our products provide a consistent result without use of specialized equipment or materials.”
In 2007, AquaBlok introduced PONDSEAL. “PondSeal was introduced as a companion product to AquaBlok,” Collins states. “Our objective was to have a product targeted more to pond and erosion related applications that would be sold more to individuals and general contractors rather than for larger environmental remediation projects.”
AquaBlok has 10 full- and part-time employees. The company received investments from two venture capital funds – Rocket Ventures in Toledo and the Ohio Tech Angels in Columbus – that are affiliated with the Third Frontier program.
Source: John Collins, AquaBlok
Writer: Lynne Meyer