David J. Glass, Ph.D.
D. Glass Associates, Inc.
(617) 653-9945

Needham, Mass., July 26, 1999 -- The U.S. market for phytoremediation is expected to grow to $30-49 million in 1999, nearly double estimated 1998 revenues of $16.5-29.5 million, according to David J. Glass, Ph.D., of D. Glass Associates, Inc. (DGA). These estimates are included in DGA's new report, entitled "U.S. and International Markets for Phytoremediation, 1999-2000", which was released by DGA today.

Phytoremediation is the use of plants, including grasses and trees, to remove, degrade or sequester hazardous materials from contaminated media such as soil, groundwater, wastewater, and landfill leachate. In the new report DGA estimates that the U.S. phytoremediation market might grow to $50-86 million by 2000, $100-170 million by 2002 and to $235-400 million by 2005. The largest segment of today’s U.S. market is the removal of organic contaminants from groundwater, followed by markets for control of landfill leachate and for remediation of organic compounds from soil. Other U.S. markets expected to have significant 1999 revenues include remediation of metals from soil and the treatment of organic and nonmetallic inorganic contaminants in wastewater. In the new report, DGA has estimated the 1999 world phytoremediation market to be $34-58 million (U.S. dollars), including U.S. $1-2 million in Canada, and U.S. $2-5 million in Europe.

The new report, which is the first to comprehensively cover international markets for this promising technology, notes the following market trends and developments since the publication of DGA's previous report in April 1998:

• The growth in the market reflects both increased acceptance of the technology and the larger number of companies now servicing this market.
• A greater number of consulting/engineering firms are offering phytoremediation services, and these companies are accounting for a larger share of the market.
• Most of the dedicated phytoremediation companies in the industry continue to operate well in the U.S. market.
• There is a great deal of research and governmental interest in phytoremediation in Europe, Canada and elsewhere in the world, but this is just beginning to be translated into significant commercial activity.

DGA's new market report updates the firm's previous report, "The 1998 U.S. Market for Phytoremediation", and includes expanded coverage of international activities and market opportunities. The 266-page report includes profiles of over 40 U.S. companies and 25 foreign firms offering phytoremediation services, as well as the leading non-profit research groups and international research consortia studying phytoremediation. It contains summaries of several dozen phytoremediation projects, discussion of industry dynamics, corporate strategies, and in-depth analyses of market sectors to which phytoremediation is applicable. The report includes addresses and contact names for phytoremediation companies, a glossary of terms, and other information to guide decision-making by site owners, regulators, investors or research institutions seeking more information on the phytoremediation market.

The cost of the new report is $445, with a discounted price of $225 for individuals in academic, government, or other non-profit institutions. Dr. Glass can be contacted at 617-653-9945, fax 781-449-8045, or DGlassAssc@aol.com, for further information or to order a copy of this report. A more detailed description of the report and ordering information are available at the firm’s website, www.channel1.com/dglassassoc/. The Executive Summary of the report is available at www.channel1.com/dglassassoc/INFO/phy99exc.htm, and the Table of Contents and List of Tables are available at www.channel1.com/dglassassoc/INFO/phy99tbl.htm.

D. Glass Associates, Inc. is a consulting firm specializing in market and technology assessments and technology transfer in hazardous waste remediation, with particular emphasis on bioremediation and phytoremediation. David Glass has previously presented and published reports on international bioremediation activities and markets, and on the impact of biotechnology regulation on bioremediation and phytoremediation activities. At the Second Annual International Business Communication (IBC) International Phytoremediation Conference in June 1997, Dr. Glass presented the first published estimates of the phytoremediation market, figures which have been updated by the 1998 study. Dr. Glass first presented the new 1999 market estimates at IBC’s Fourth Annual International Phytoremediation Conference in June 1999, in Toronto, Canada. Additional information on D. Glass Associates is available at the firm's website, www.channel1.com/dglassassoc/.