HRC is a controlled release, electron donor material, that when hydrated is specifically designed to produce a controlled release of lactic acid. The newly available lactic acid is critical for the production of hydrogen to fuel anaerobic biodegradation processes in soil and groundwater.

To make available time release lactic acid for fermentation by subsurface microbes that in turn generates hydrogen. Hydrogen is the key ingredient in the anaerobic contaminant degrading process known as reductive dechlorination. Reductive dechlorination is the mechanism by which chlorinated compounds are biodegraded into less harmful constituents such as ethene and ethane.

HRC is typically applied using direct-injection techniques. This process enables the viscous HRC material to be pressure injected into the zone of contamination and moved out into the aquifer media. Once in the subsurface, HRC can reside within the soil matrix fueling reductive dechlorination and promoting reducing aquifer conditions for periods of up to 24 months or longer through the controlled release of lactic acid and subsequent hydrogen production.