Soil Technology Inc., a Bainbridge Island company that specializes in the testing and treatment of contaminated soil, sediment and water, has spun off a new company, S&S Environmental Applications LLC (SSEA). The new firm will focus on developing technologies that will revert contaminated water into ordinary water.

Soil Technology was founded in 1990 by Kristin and Rick Sheets and currently has eight full-time employees.

The new company recently signed a major funding agreement with Marubeni America Corporation of N.Y. that begins with an initial investment of $500,000 and provides for options up to $3 million. Marubeni will play an active role in helping to commercialize a remediation technology developed by Rick Sheets.

Marubeni was chosen as an investment partner because of its numerous holdings in both U.S. companies and overseas firms. In addition to utilizing the technology within its own operating companies, Marubeni plans to market the technology throughout Asia.

Studies have shown that the patent pending technology Sheets has developed will emulsify petroleum compounds in water and effectively break down petroleum products in contaminated soil. It also has shown promise in sewage treatment, wastewater discharge, and contamination from mercury, pesticides and polyaromatic hydrocarbons.

Sheets plans to license the technology to other companies and organizations that could lead to new manufacturing operations in Kitsap County. Sheets says his ultimate goal is to create a Center of Environmental Excellence in Kitsap County.