HENDERSON (KTNV) — We're introducing you to a Nevada Built business dreaming of a big future while keeping its focus much more grounded. 13 Action News Anchor Todd Quinones shows us how this Henderson company is making money by fixing what's under your feet.
BIOCHEMICAL MANUFACTURING
The surface of Lake Sahara gets all the attention. But beneath the tranquil, turquoise top of the man-made lake lies the work of a Nevada Built business called Substrata.
"We are a biochemical manufacturing company. That means we manufacture enzyme-based products," said Substrata CEO Royal Marty.
CONCRETE LIKE SURFACE
Marty says one of the products they make is an enzyme-based solution used to harden dirt.
"You mix it in with the soil and it creates a concrete-like surface. They used it in the Lake Sahara back in the 70s," he said.
"Now, to this day, the seepage and the erosion that they've seen on Lake Sahara has been negligible."
STABLE ROAD
But their bread and butter are roads.
No, not anything like the Interstate 15 or 215. We're talking mostly about unpaved dirt roads, like roads that lead to a farmhouse or ranch in rural parts of Nevada, the United States and well beyond.
"Whether it's in Latin America or even Africa, now they can use Perma-zyme and apply it once and have a very stable road that they can rely on for 10 to 15 years," said Marty.
SOLUTION FOR DUST
The Henderson company also makes an enzyme-based solution that helps keep the dust down at construction sites by creating a kind of crust over the soil.
"What it does is it traps those loose particles in. Now when the wind comes through or something like that, those soil particles cannot come up and enter the atmosphere," explained Marty.
Now at this point, you may be asking, what exactly is an enzyme?
NONTOXIC
"An enzyme is essentially a living organism and an enzyme acts as a catalyst for something," said Marty.
Enzymes are also used to brew beer and ferment wine.
"They are environmentally friendly, non-toxic and non-hazardous," said Marty, who took over the business from a friend of his father's.
ODOR CONTROL
"The company was originally founded back in the 70s," said Marty.
After learning the ropes, he bought the company and renamed it. Now his focus is on expansion.
That includes products for household use, including a solution for cleaning and odor control.
"When it's used for odor elimination, the enzymes actually go through and are eating the proteins that are causing the odor. So if it's used for like pet odors or something like that, the enzymes are actually eating those proteins," said Marty.
While Substrata is largely for commercial and industrial use, you can buy their solution Zimply Clean.
Substrata is also growing and currently hiring. Learn more about that on substrata.us
