About Harwell

Engineering professors Jeff Harwell and Dave Sabatini started collaborating on research more than 17 years ago by examining ways to make groundwater safer. Their core technology is now used in a “super soap” technology that’s an effective, economical and environmentally friendly all-purpose cleaner and stain remover for both industry and consumer.
Together with fellow engineering professor Robert Knox, Harwell and Sabatini created OU spinoff company Surbec Environmental LLC to commercialize the formulation. The company has used the platform technology to conduct some 20 environmental cleanups around the country and overseas.

The formulation can be used for routine household as well as heavy-duty industrial cleaning. In tests against name-brand detergents, it outperformed them all, and has the environmental advantage of containing a reduced level of chemicals.

Similar formulations could be used for such purposes as a replacement for harsh industrial soaps used in the food industry and removing oil spills from groundwater.

Company Web site: Surbec Environmental