EPFL research highlights bio-cementation for soil stability

As climate challenges intensify, soils are emerging as a key element in the transition to more sustainable infrastructure and urban planning. A new article from EPFL’s Laboratory of Soil Mechanics (LMS) contributes to this conversation in the latest issue of Les Cahiers – EspaceSuisse, titled “Soil, a resource under pressure.”

The article, authored by LMS director Prof. Lyesse Laloui and doctoral researcher Ziad Sahlab, introduces bio-cementation as a promising approach to soil stabilisation that reduces the environmental footprint of construction. Inspired by natural processes, this technique uses microbial activity to reinforce soils in place. It offers a viable alternative to conventional cement-based methods, with applications in seismic zones, erosion control and the rehabilitation of ageing infrastructure.

The publication brings together leading voices in planning, engineering and environmental science to explore how soils can be better integrated into land-use policy and practice. The LMS contribution reflects the lab’s long-standing commitment to developing nature-based solutions for geotechnical challenges, combining advanced research with real-world impact.

Note: The publication is available in French only.