AFTES 2026: APROTEK Showcases Innovative Sludge Drying Solutions for Tunnelling and Underground Construction
From October 12 to 14, 2026, APROTEK participated in the AFTES International Congress at Lille Grand Palais, France. This major event dedicated to tunnelling and underground construction provided an opportunity to showcase APROMUD®, our innovative super-absorbent solution designed to facilitate the treatment, handling, transportation and recovery of liquid sludge and excavation spoil generated by tunnelling and civil engineering projects.
AFTES 2026: A Key Event for the Tunnelling and Underground Construction Industry
The AFTES International Congress, organised by the French Association of Tunnels and Underground Space, brings together professionals involved in the design, construction and operation of underground infrastructure.
Civil engineering contractors, tunnelling specialists, tunnel boring machine (TBM) manufacturers, engineering companies and environmental experts gather to explore the latest technologies and challenges facing the underground construction industry.
Among these challenges, tunnel excavation spoil management and construction sludge treatment are essential considerations. Tunnelling, drilling and excavation operations can generate large volumes of water-saturated materials that are difficult to handle, transport and dispose of efficiently.
At Booth A5, APROTEK presented its innovative solutions for conditioning and drying liquid sludge and excavation spoil.
Tunnel Spoil and Sludge Management: A Major Challenge for Underground Construction
Underground construction projects, particularly those involving tunnel boring machines (TBMs), can generate significant quantities of wet excavation spoil, drilling mud and fine-particle slurries.
Depending on geological conditions and excavation methods, these materials may present several challenges, including high water content, liquid or semi-liquid consistency, handling difficulties and transportation constraints.
Effective construction sludge conditioning helps contractors improve material handling, simplify loading operations and facilitate transportation to appropriate treatment, disposal or recovery facilities.
The objective is to transform difficult-to-handle liquid materials into a more manageable consistency, making excavation spoil management more efficient throughout the construction process.
APROMUD®: An Innovative Super-Absorbent Solution for Construction Sludge Drying
Developed by APROTEK, APROMUD® is an organic super-absorbent material designed for the conditioning and drying of liquid sludge and excavation spoil.
Its innovative formulation rapidly absorbs free water contained in liquid materials, modifying their consistency without requiring mechanical dewatering equipment.
Within minutes, liquid sludge can be transformed into a more solid and manageable material, simplifying handling, loading and transportation operations.
APROMUD® is particularly suitable for applications involving:
- Tunnel excavation and tunnel boring machine (TBM) operations.
- Drilling works and deep foundation construction.
- Underground excavation and civil engineering projects.
- Construction sludge and liquid spoil management.
- Material conditioning before transportation, treatment or recovery.
Thanks to its effectiveness at low dosage rates, APROMUD® provides a practical solution for contractors seeking to improve the management of wet excavation materials while addressing operational and logistical challenges.
Improving Sludge Handling, Transportation and Material Recovery
In tunnelling and underground construction, managing excavation spoil involves much more than extracting materials from the ground.
Handling, transportation and the selection of suitable treatment or recovery routes are equally important steps.
Highly liquid excavation materials can require specialised handling equipment and create additional logistical constraints.
By improving material consistency, APROMUD® sludge drying technology facilitates excavation spoil handling and transportation, from on-site conditioning to delivery to suitable treatment or recovery facilities.
This approach supports more efficient material management and helps contractors address the practical challenges associated with wet excavation spoil.
Depending on material composition, contamination levels and applicable regulations, different treatment, disposal or recovery options may be considered.
APROTEK supports construction professionals in identifying solutions adapted to the technical and environmental requirements of their projects.
APROTEK at AFTES 2026: Live APROMUD® Demonstrations
During the AFTES 2026 International Congress, our team welcomed tunnelling and civil engineering professionals to discover the practical applications of APROMUD® in underground construction.
Live sludge drying demonstrations illustrated how our super-absorbent technology works and how it can rapidly change the consistency of liquid excavation materials.
The event also provided an opportunity to discuss key industry challenges, including drilling mud treatment, TBM excavation spoil management, sludge transportation and material recovery.
APROTEK at AFTES 2026
📍 Lille Grand Palais, France
📅 October 12–14, 2026
👋 Booth A5
TREAT, TRANSPORT, RECOVER.
Discover how APROMUD® can help simplify sludge and liquid excavation spoil management in tunnelling, underground construction and civil engineering projects.
