Dust Control & Dust Suppression Solutions

Engineered dust-suppression systems for haul roads, stockpiles, yards and other exposed operational surfaces.

Application

Understanding dust control

Dust is generated when fine particles are detached from an exposed surface and transported by vehicle movement, mechanical activity or wind. Dry conditions increase the availability of these particles, while repeated loading progressively breaks down the surface and releases additional fines.

On haul roads and industrial yards, uncontrolled dust can reduce visibility, affect working conditions and increase maintenance requirements. Particle deposition may also affect nearby equipment, vegetation, water systems and neighboring land. Stockpiles and disturbed surfaces create additional wind-erosion risks, particularly in dry climates or during extended periods without rainfall.

Effective dust control must therefore address more than airborne particles after they have already been released. It requires an understanding of how the surface is constructed, how it is used and which mechanisms cause particles to become mobile.

The appropriate response depends on substrate composition, traffic intensity, particle-size distribution, climate, water availability, operational constraints and the required duration of control.

Fields of application

Why standard methods fall short

Wind erosion

Wind removes loose particles when surface cohesion is insufficient to resist aerodynamic forces. Exposed stockpiles, embankments and broad disturbed areas are particularly vulnerable where fine material remains unprotected and vegetation cannot establish.

Traffic abrasion

Vehicle tires and tracked equipment apply repeated shear and compressive forces. These loads break down aggregates, disturb previously compacted material and continually generate new fines, even where the surface initially appears stable.

Moisture loss

Water temporarily increases cohesion between fine particles, but evaporation can remove this effect rapidly. In hot, dry or windy conditions, water-only suppression may require frequent reapplication and place significant demand on limited water resources.

Fines migration

Fine particles move upward through the surface profile or accumulate in the active wearing layer. Once concentrated near the surface, they are readily displaced by traffic and wind, creating recurring dust despite repeated treatment.

The engineered surface system

SRBT develops dust-control systems around the condition and use of the individual surface. The objective is to reduce particle release by improving surface cohesion, limiting fines mobility and maintaining the required performance under the expected environmental and operational loads.

The process begins with an assessment of the substrate, particle distribution, traffic conditions, exposed area, climate, water availability and required service period. These factors determine whether the project requires treatment of an active wearing surface, stabilization of an exposed stockpile or protection of a temporarily disturbed area.

The material system is then selected according to the required function. Depending on the application, this may involve a biopolymer-based binder system designed to connect fine particles within a stable surface matrix. The formulation approach is adapted to site conditions at the functional level, including the required binding behavior, flexibility, moisture response, application characteristics and expected exposure.

Material selection also considers environmental and regulatory requirements. The decision is based on project-specific suitability rather than a fixed product catalog.

Application planning defines how the system will be prepared, distributed and controlled across the treatment area. Equipment, mixing sequence, application rate, surface preparation and operational access must work together. Performance is then assessed against the project objective, allowing the treatment strategy to be adjusted where surface conditions or loading patterns vary.

Service vehicle and mulch bales at a high-altitude revegetation site

Our approach

01

Site analysis

Assess substrate, fines, traffic, climate, water availability and required performance duration.

02

Material system

Define the functional binding, flexibility, moisture and environmental requirements.

03

Application

Coordinate surface preparation, mixing, equipment, distribution and field control.