The construction industry is under increasing pressure to reduce its environmental footprint. From carbon emissions to plastic waste, every material choice is being scrutinized. For temporary applications—where geotextiles are needed for a few months or years, then become redundant—biodegradable options offer an elegant solution: they do their job, then safely disappear.
The Problem with Permanent Plastics in Temporary Applications
Traditional plastic geotextiles are designed to last. Made from polypropylene or polyester with UV stabilizers and antioxidants, they can persist in the environment for over 100 years . When used beneath temporary roads or for short-term erosion control, these materials create a legacy problem: they remain in the ground indefinitely, contributing to microplastic pollution and complicating future land use.
The Dutch biodegradable geotextile pilot project highlights this issue clearly. Traditionally, plastic geotextiles are used beneath temporary roads to stabilise the ground and prevent soil mixing. However, these plastic materials often last over 100 years and are hard to reuse .
Natural Fiber Alternatives
Several natural fibers are proving effective for temporary geotextile applications:
Jute: A natural fiber with excellent moisture retention capability, ease of installation, high tensile strength, and biodegradability. Jute geotextiles are used in road pavement construction, soil reinforcement, and riverbank protection . After installation, jute eventually degrades into organic mulch, by which time planted vegetation has developed its own rooting system.
Coir: Made from coconut husks, coir offers slower degradation than jute—typically 3-5 years depending on conditions. This makes it suitable for projects requiring longer-term stabilization. India's PMGSY-III rural road program specifically promotes coir geotextiles for construction on poor-quality soils .
Wood Fibers: Innovative products like Jogotex HV use compostable Tencel wood fibres that break down in soil without leaving harmful residues .
The Dutch Biodegradable Geotextile Pilot
A notable example of the industry's move toward biodegradable materials is the Dutch pilot project at a high-voltage station in Rilland. BAM Infra Nederland and Joosten Groep, in collaboration with grid operator TenneT, are trialing a biodegradable geotextile made from compostable Tencel wood fibres .
To understand the material's performance, the team set up two test areas of 500 m² each, covering different ground types: sand, clay, and grass. Steel driving plates—common in construction—sit on top of the textile. Over the next year, the textile will be examined at intervals, focusing on both technical strength and environmental impact .
As project leader Richard Hubregtse explains, a geotextile that doesn't need to be removed or cleaned—and leaves no waste—can streamline construction while cutting emissions .
Greencells and SlopeSaver Systems
Fibertex Nonwovens offers two complementary biodegradable solutions:
Greencells: A cellular containment system manufactured from UV-stabilized, coated slit film woven geotextile strips. These can be filled with cement-stabilized soil for base course and drainage canal stabilization .
SlopeSaver 292: A biodegradable geojute designed for pre-vegetated slopes. This environmentally-friendly product is manufactured from woven natural jute fibres, forming a mesh of approximately 10mm x 10mm aperture. After installation, the jute degrades into organic mulch by the time planted vegetation has developed its own rooting system .
Applications for Biodegradable Geotextiles
Biodegradable geotextiles are particularly well-suited for:
Temporary access roads: Where the road will be removed after construction
Slope stabilization during vegetation establishment: Short-term protection until roots take hold
Riverbank restoration: Where natural integration is preferred
Farm dams and drainage canals: Agricultural applications with limited service life requirements
Sand dune stabilization: Temporary protection during dune regeneration
Design Considerations
When specifying biodegradable geotextiles, consider:
Degradation Timeline: Match the material's degradation rate to the time needed for vegetation establishment or project completion.
Site Conditions: Soil type, moisture, temperature, and microbial activity all affect degradation rates.
Performance Period: Ensure the material maintains adequate strength for the entire required period.
Vegetation Strategy: Plan for fast-growing vegetation to provide long-term stability after geotextile degradation.
Conclusion
Biodegradable geotextiles represent the convergence of performance and environmental responsibility. For temporary applications, they eliminate waste, reduce carbon footprint, and support circular construction practices. As Joosten Groep's technical expert Marco Hazenkamp notes, "We're not just solving today's challenges. We're preparing for the future by doing things differently" .
At HZ Geotextile, we offer a range of natural fiber geotextiles for temporary applications, alongside our permanent synthetic products. Contact our team to discuss which solution fits your project's timeline and environmental goals.
