Biodegradable nonwovens – new generation geosynthetics

Overview

Join us as we hear from guest speaker, Christopher Quirk, about the principles of a biodegradable geotextile, and where this fits in within all the standard products used in the industry, using a case study of one its first uses in Europe.

Northam Burrows is Common Land and, as well as being home to the Royal North Devon Golf Club, it is still actively grazed by the ‘Potwallopers’ of the ancient manor of Northam. Because it’s common land, the Burrows has not been subjected to the normal development and intensive use of other similar seaside dune systems, which has given rise to a great diversity in the flora and fauna, and the area is designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). The site is particularly noted for its bird life; especially wading birds visiting from the saltmarsh and estuary.

Originally constructed in 1985, the Visitor Centre has been extensively refurbished, and the 400-metre-long vehicular access road, which was regularly inundated by tidal waters, has been reconstructed and elevated to sit above the 1 in 200-year, plus climate change, tidal level. Consistent with the other green policies being adopted at the Northam Burrows site, Natural England had required that any geotextiles used in the construction should be plastic-free.

The geotextile is manufactured exclusively from organic, natural, renewable raw materials, and is certified as 100% biodegradable by TÜV Austria. It is an eco-friendly, nonwoven, mechanically-bonded geotextile which delivers similar properties of separation, filtration and protection to a traditional plastic non woven geotextile.