Erosion Control & Geocells
Straw Erosion Control Blanket – Straw SoilLock 300 (ECTC Type 1.D)
Straw erosion control blanket, 300 gsm double-net to ECTC Type 1.D, in 2.4 m × 50 m rolls covering 120 m². Biodegradable slope protection that holds seed and soil until grass takes over. Stocked in South Africa for delivery across Africa.
Overview
Straw SoilLock 300 is a rolled erosion control blanket (RECP) made from agricultural straw fibres stitched between two photodegradable polypropylene nets. Rolled out over a freshly seeded slope, it shields the soil from raindrop impact and sheet flow, holds seed and topsoil in place, keeps moisture in the seedbed, and then breaks down as the vegetation takes over the job of holding the slope.
It is classified as an ECTC Type 1.D product: a double-net erosion control blanket built from degradable natural fibres bound between two nets. The double-net construction gives it more strength and better ground contact than single-net or netless blankets, which matters on slopes where wind lift and foot traffic would disturb a lighter product.
Use it on low to moderate risk slopes, embankments, road and rail cuttings, landfill caps, pipeline reinstatement, mine rehabilitation, landscaping and stormwater channel banks where flows are light. For steeper slopes, higher flows or longer establishment periods, move up to a wood wool or coir blanket.
Each roll is 2.4 m wide by 50 m long, covering 120 m², and weighs roughly 36 kg at 300 g/m², so two people can carry and roll it out without machinery. Rolls are tightly wound and wrapped for transport and site storage.
Functional longevity is typically 3 to 12 months, depending on the net specification, climate, UV exposure and soil conditions. The blanket is designed to last just long enough for vegetation to establish, then degrade into the soil, leaving no plastic waste to remove.
Installation is straightforward: prepare and seed the slope, dig an anchor trench at the crest, roll the blanket down the slope in the direction of flow, overlap adjacent rolls, and pin it down with biodegradable stakes or steel staples at the spacing set by the slope gradient. Good soil contact is everything, since water running under a blanket erodes just as fast as water on bare soil.
Stocked in South Africa and delivered across Africa, Straw SoilLock 300 is supplied with technical data, installation guidance and project support from our engineering team.
- MaterialAgricultural Straw Fibre (biodegradable) with photodegradable polypropylene netting
- StructureStraw fibre matrix stitched between top and bottom netting
- ColourNatural
- StandardECTC Type 1.D
- Roll Width2.4 m
- Roll Length50.0 m
Typical Properties
| Property | Straw SoilLock 300 |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% Agricultural straw fibre |
| Construction | Straw fibre matrix - sewn between two PP nets - 50mm centres |
| Weight | 300 g/m2 |
| Width | 2.4m |
| Roll Length | 50m |
| Thickness | 5-6mm (ASTM D6525) |
| Tensile Strength MD | 1.52 kN/m (ASTM D6818) |
| Tensile Strength TD | 1.03 kN/m (ASTM D6818) |
| Netting | Photodegradable polypropylene - both sides |
| Stitching | Biodegradable yarn - 50mm centres |
| ECTC Classification | Type 1D |
| Functional Longevity | Up to 12 months - climate and soil dependent |
| Residue | Zero - fully organic |
Note: The above specifications represent the product family properties. Please refer to the product datasheet for individual SKU values.
Typical Applications
View all applicationsRoad & Highway Embankments
Straw SoilLock 300 is widely specified on cut and fill slopes on road and highway construction across Africa. Installed immediately after earthworks to protect exposed soil from rainfall erosion while grass and indigenous vegetation establishes on the slope face. Type 1D classification aligns with standard road authority erosion control specifications.
Mine Rehabilitation & Tailings Dam Reclamation
Straw SoilLock 300 is used on mine waste dump slopes, tailings dam embankments, and disturbed land rehabilitation where rapid vegetation establishment is required to meet closure and environmental compliance requirements. Fully biodegradable - leaves zero plastic residue on rehabilitated surfaces.
Dam, Canal & River Bank Protection
Straw SoilLock 300 protects freshly graded dam embankments, canal banks, and river bank reinstatements from rainfall erosion and surface wash during vegetation establishment. The straw fibre matrix reduces runoff velocity and prevents seed displacement on low to moderate gradient wetted slopes.
Post-Construction Revegetation
Straw SoilLock 300 is the standard temporary cover on disturbed soil surfaces following construction, earthworks, and land clearing. Applied immediately on completion of grading works to prevent topsoil loss, suppress dust, and create a protected germination environment until permanent vegetation is established.
Compatible Systems
View all systemsType 1D - Straw SoilLock 300
Standard temporary straw erosion control blanket for slopes and channels. 300gsm straw fibre sewn between two photodegradable PP nets on 50mm centres. Functional longevity up to 12 months. Suited to highway embankments, post-construction revegetation, municipal stormwater channels, and mine rehabilitation. ASTM D6818 tensile tested.
Installation Guidance
Standard Method Statement
Surface Preparation - Grade and compact the slope surface before installation. Remove rocks, debris, and loose material that would prevent full contact between the blanket and the soil. Fine-grade the surface - poor contact allows water to channel beneath the blanket, which is the primary cause of installation failure.
Seeding - Seed can be applied before or after blanket installation. Pre-seeding is preferred on steep slopes where post-installation broadcast is difficult. Hydroseed application over the installed blanket is effective and widely used on large embankment and rehabilitation projects.
Unrolling - Unroll parallel to the slope contour (horizontally across the slope), not top-to-bottom. Begin at the top anchor trench and unroll downslope. Keep the blanket in firm contact with the soil surface throughout - do not allow bridging over irregularities.
Trenching and Anchorage - Dig anchor trenches at the top and bottom of the slope, minimum 300mm deep x 300mm wide. Fold the blanket into the trench, backfill, and compact. Peg through the blanket at the trench edge. Intermediate check slots should be installed at regular intervals on slopes longer than 3m.
Pegging - Peg the blanket face at 1m² intervals using steel U-pins or biodegradable wooden stakes with a minimum leg length of 300mm. Increase peg density on steep slopes and in areas of concentrated flow. All pegs must be driven flush with the blanket surface.
Overlaps - Where rolls join, overlap a minimum of 150mm in the machine direction and 300mm at roll ends. Peg through the overlap zone at maximum 500mm centres. On steep slopes, shingle overlaps downslope (upper roll overlaps lower roll) to prevent water ingress beneath the joint.
Quality Assurance & Testing
Field QA/QC Checklist
- Delivery & Storage: Materials checked against the delivery note and conformance certificates, stored off the ground, covered from UV and kept clear of sharp objects and fuel.
- Material Conformance: Product category checked against the design (e.g. ECTC classification); tensile strength (ASTM D6818) and performance data (ASTM D6459 slopes / ASTM D6460 channels).
- Seedbed Preparation: Slope graded smooth, topsoiled and seeded before installing the blanket; clods and stones removed.
- Anchor Trench & Stapling: Top anchor trench, overlaps (upslope over downslope) and staple pattern to the manufacturer's guide.
- Contact & Inspection: Blanket in full contact with the soil; inspected after rainfall and repaired where undermined.
Manufacturing Standards
- ASTM D6818 tensile properties
- ASTM D6459 slope erosion performance
- ASTM D6460 channel erosion performance
- Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) specifications
- ECTC Type 1.D
Documents
Product Selection Guide
Compare performance properties across the entire category hierarchy before specifying.
Installation & Method Statement
Standard deployment procedures, installation specifications, and field application method statements.
QA/QC Site Checklist
Field quality control procedures, inspection checklists, and testing standards to verify installation integrity.
Technical Data Sheet (TDS)
Guaranteed minimum average roll values (MARV) and material testing properties.
Chemical Resistance / Accessories Guide
Chemical compatibility matrix and list of auxiliary materials needed for installation.
Projects Using Straw Erosion Control Blanket – Straw SoilLock 300 (ECTC Type 1.D)
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