About Exlterra
Nature's power. Engineered.
We create groundbreaking, sustainable technologies that restore soil health and balance natural ecosystems.
world soils and global ecosystems
How world soils impact human life
Every day is world soil day
Soil is one of the earth’s most vital resources, supporting food production, vegetation for fiber and fuel, and regulating water cycles while helping combat climate change. Soils are a rich ecosystem that sustains biodiversity and human life.
Yet, they are under severe threat. Over 1.5 billion people are impacted by soil degradation, worsening floods, droughts, and landslides. Half of agricultural soil is depleted, costing $400 billion annually due to increased fertilizer use. Over 5 million contaminated sites, including 10,000 radioactively polluted areas, pose serious hazards.
American homeowners spend over $15 billion annually on repairs related to poor drainage and basement humidity. As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "The nation that destroys its soil destroys itself." Healthy soil is essential for both global ecosystems and human well-being.
By the numbers
1.5B
Water-related impact on people
Over 1.5 billion people are directly affected by land degradation, including erosion, soil compaction, and reduced water retention, which exacerbates droughts and floods globally.
50%
Soil nutrient depletion
50% of agricultural soil globally is now depleted, leading to a decrease in crop yields and causing an annual global loss of around $400 billion due to the increased use of chemical fertilizers to compensate for poor soil health.
5M
Soil pollution and radioactivity
There are over 5 million contaminated sites worldwide due to industrial and agricultural activities, with around 10,000 known radioactively contaminated sites that pose long-term risks to ecosystems and human health.
$15B
For private home owners
This is the cost of poor drainage and water problems in private properties in the U.S. alone: homeowners spend over $15 billion annually on repairs and damages related to poor drainage, basement flooding, and humidity issues in private properties.
Who we serve
Groundwork by industry
Agricultural engineering firms
Optimizing land for farming, addressing soil fertility, drainage, and water retention to ensure sustainable crop production.
Airport and transportation infrastructure companies
Maintaining large-scale infrastructure, managing soil drainage, erosion, and stability across extensive landscapes.
Arboriculture and tree care
Specializing in tree health and management, dealing with challenges like nutrient-depleted soils and urban stressors on roots.
Civil engineering firms
Designing infrastructure projects, often navigating soil instability, erosion, or water management challenges at project sites.
Construction companies
Developing sites where soil contamination, stability, and drainage present obstacles to safe and efficient construction.
Ecological restoration
Rehabilitating damaged environments, restoring natural balance in areas impacted by water, soil, or contamination issues.
Environmental consulting firms
Providing solutions for environmental challenges such as soil remediation, sustainable land use, and water resource management.
Forestry management
Sustaining forest health while tackling issues such as soil degradation, water retention, and environmental resilience.
Foundation and waterproofing specialists
Protecting structures from water infiltration, hydrostatic pressure, and unstable soils that threaten long-term durability.
Geotechnical engineering firms
Analyzing and addressing soil conditions that affect the safety and success of construction, mining, or infrastructure projects.
Golf course management companies
Maintaining pristine landscapes while addressing water drainage, soil stability, and vegetation health across expansive grounds.
Government water management agencies
Overseeing water resources, addressing soil-related water retention, drainage, and environmental compliance.
Housing associations and large real estate managers
Managing extensive properties, often addressing issues with soil health, landscaping, and water infiltration.
Industrial land reclamation
Restoring land degraded by industrial activity, often dealing with contamination, erosion, and depleted soil health.
Infrastructure development in contaminated zones
Building in areas with compromised soil, requiring innovative solutions for contamination and long-term stability.
Irrigation and drainage companies
Designing systems to manage water effectively, often in regions with uneven hydrology or excessive waterlogging.
Land management companies
Overseeing diverse land uses, frequently managing areas affected by soil erosion, contamination, or nutrient depletion.
Landscaping firms
Designing and maintaining outdoor spaces often faced with soil quality challenges, water management needs, or degraded landscapes.
Mining and extractive industry rehabilitation
Restoring landscapes post-extraction, focusing on contamination, erosion, and soil fertility restoration.
Mining companies
Operating in environments with significant soil disruption, requiring strategies for erosion control and land stability.
Municipal water and sewage authorities
Managing public water systems, tackling challenges related to stormwater, infiltration, and environmental compliance.
Nuclear facility management
Overseeing highly sensitive sites where soil contamination and environmental safety are paramount.
Oil and gas infrastructure firms
Developing critical infrastructure, often dealing with soil contamination, water management, and long-term land stability.
Orchard and vineyard management
Caring for perennial crops, managing soil health, nutrient availability, and efficient water use for optimal yield.
Property management companies
Overseeing diverse property needs, often addressing soil drainage, landscaping, and environmental health challenges.
Public health and safety agencies
Managing environments where soil contamination or degradation impacts human and ecological health.
Public infrastructure maintenance teams
Maintaining essential infrastructure, tackling soil-related challenges like erosion, water infiltration, and stability.
Real estate developers
Transforming land for housing or commercial use, tackling challenges such as soil quality, stability, and drainage.
Specifications sales representatives
Providing tailored solutions to meet client needs, often addressing site-specific challenges like soil conditions or contamination.
Sports field and recreation ground managers
Ensuring safe, durable playing surfaces often complicated by waterlogging, soil compaction, or uneven ground conditions.
Stormwater management companies
Designing systems to control surface water runoff, reduce flooding, and manage infiltration in urban and rural settings.
Urban planning and development firms
Designing sustainable urban areas while balancing soil stability, water management, and green space preservation.
Why we exist
At Exlterra, we believe that healthy soil is the foundation of life. It sustains ecosystems, supports human development, and secures our future. Yet, soil degradation and contamination threaten this vital resource. Our mission is simple but profound: to restore and preserve the world’s soils for generations to come, enabling sustainable growth and a balanced relationship with nature.
How we work
We harness the power of natural processes, engineering innovative technologies that work with the soil—not against it. Our solutions address critical challenges like water management, soil enrichment, and contamination remediation. By enhancing the natural functions of soil through precise, non-invasive methods, we offer sustainable results without disrupting the environment. Every system we design is built to be durable, efficient, and entirely passive, requiring no maintenance or chemical inputs.
What we do
Exlterra develops groundbreaking technologies that solve complex soil challenges with simplicity and sustainability. Our products, like GEPS for water management, NEPS for nutrient enrichment, and NSPS for contamination remediation, deliver long-term solutions that regenerate soil health and enhance the balance of natural ecosystems. Whether it’s stabilizing land, enriching farmland, or transforming contaminated sites, we are committed to making the impossible possible through innovation and science.
A visionary mind behind Exlterra
Andrew Niemczyk, the founder of Exlterra, is an inventor driven by a profound understanding of nature's principles. His groundbreaking technologies reflect a deep respect for the environment and a commitment to solving some of the world’s most pressing soil and water challenges. Andrew’s unique approach to innovation focuses on working in harmony with natural forces, creating systems that are not only efficient but also sustainable for future generations.
Grounds for Freedom, the book
Andrew’s journey and revolutionary ideas are chronicled in “Grounds for Freedom: Saving Chernobyl,” written by Detroit author and journalist R.J. King. The book details the inspiring account of Andrew’s efforts to restore contaminated soil in Chernobyl, one of the world’s most infamous disaster zones. It also showcases his unwavering determination and extraordinary vision. The award-winning book encapsulates the philosophy that drives Exlterra: transforming challenges into solutions through science, ingenuity, and a respect for the natural world.