EROSION CONTROL

Our netting components provide flexible containment and protection functionalities that keep erosion in check.

Conwed netting plays an essential function in rolled erosion control products (RECPs). Our customers use our plastic netting as the containment element in their Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs), Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs) and Sediment Retention Fiber Rolls (SRFRs), usually known as wattles. We also manufacture an entire portfolio of Prostran® synthetic fibers which are used as a filler in TRMs. Conwed is an active member of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) www.ieca.org and the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) www.ectc.org

What is Erosion Control?

Erosion Control is the practice of preventing or controlling wind or water erosion in agriculture, land development and construction. Vegetation, such as grasses and windflowers, and other materials such as straw, fiber, stabilizing emulsion, protective blankets, etc., are placed to stabilize areas disturbed by grading operations, reduce loss of soil due to the action of water or wind, and prevent water pollution.

TYPES OF EROSION CONTROL PRODUCTS

Based on information gathered through the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC), erosion control products can be classified in three main categories:

• Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs)
• Hydraulic Erosion Control Products (HECPs)
• Sediment Retention Fiber Rolls (SRFRs)

Conwed manufactures netting components and synthetic fibers that manufacturers utilize in the assembly of their final erosion control products. Our netting portfolio is an essential component to contain the matrix materials in RECPs and SRFRs.

ROLLED EROSION CONTROL PRODUCTS (RECPS)

Conwed netting components are commonly used in RECPs. Within this category, manufacturers incorporate our netting and synthetic fibers in two main product applications:

• Erosion Control Blankets (ECBs)
• Turf Reinforcement Mats (TRMs)

+

Erosion Control Blanket (ECB) Conwed Component: Plastic Netting

---

---

ECBs are used for temporary applications. They are degradable RECPs composed of processed natural or polymer fibers mechanically, structurally or chemically bound together to form a continuous matrix to provide erosion control and facilitate vegetation establishment¹. Conwed netting is the essential mesh element to contain the matrix. We can explore sustainable alternatives depending on the intended life cycle of the product.

---

+

Turf Reinforcement Mat (TRM)
Conwed Components: Plastic Netting and Prostran® synthetic fibers

---

---

TRMs are permanent RECPs composed of non-degradable synthetic fibers, filaments, nets, wire mesh and/or other elements, processed into a permanent, three-dimensional matrix of sufficient thickness. TRMs typically are used in hydraulic applications, such as high flow ditches and channels, steep slopes, stream banks, and shorelines, where erosive forces may exceed the limits of natural, unreinforced vegetation or in areas where limited vegetation establishment is anticipated². Conwed manufactures two TRM components for our erosion control product manufacturers, the Prostran® synthetic fibers used as a matrix and the plastic netting containing them. For further information about our Prostran® synthetic fibers portfolio, click here.

---

+

Sediment Retention Fiber Rolls (SRFRs)
Conwed Component: Plastic Netting

---

---

SRFRs are manufactured 3-dimensional devices of a specified filler matrix encapsulated within a flexible containment material utilized in sediment and flow control applications. SRFRs are also known as wattles, logs, socks, tubes or fiber rolls. SRFRs, available as prefabricated units, are constructed into tubular configurations comprised of rice straw, wheat straw, excelsior fiber, wood fiber, coconut fiber, compost, flax or a similar matrix material. The matrix material is encapsulated within biodegradable or photodegradable netting, yielding an approximate functional life of 1 - 3 years³. Conwed netting is the mesh element that contains the matrix inside the wattle.

---

SUMMARY OF EROSION CONTROL PRODUCTS MANUFACTURED WITH CONWED NETTING

1 Source: Erosion Control Technology Council www.ectc.org

2 Source: Erosion Control Technology Council www.ectc.org

3 Source: Erosion Control Technology Council www.ectc.org

Learn about our success stories, markets, capabilities and core products and be introduced to our manufacturing processes in our Plastic Netting 101 section. Visit our resins & additives page for a summary of the materials we can use to manufacture our netting portfolio.

If you have a product development challenge and wonder how Conwed netting can help you solve it, please contact our team.