P. polymyxa also has potential uses in bioremediation.
It surrounds itself with a compound called exopolysaccharide (or extracellular polymeric substance), which is important for biofilm formation and adhering to plant roots and soil particles.
This exopolysaccharide can be used as an inexpensive and easily cultivable compound to remove cadmium (Cd2+) from aqueous solutions .
This is achieved by the absorption of cadmium in the aqueous solution into the exopolysaccharide of P. polymyxa .