Erosion Control & Geocells
Geosynthetics Africa supplies Africa's most complete erosion control system range - biodegradable SoilLock erosion blankets and structural GeoStrata HDPE and PolyCell geocell confinement systems for every slope gradient, design life, and application type across Southern, East, and West Africa. The SoilLock blanket range covers Jute, Coir, Straw, and EnviroWool - matched to slope gradient, rainfall intensity, vegetation establishment timeline, and tender classification from Type 1D through to Type 4B Mining Grade. GeoStrata HDPE geocells and PolyCell polypropylene geocells provide structural cellular confinement for mine haul roads, slope protection, retaining walls, concrete channel lining, and geomembrane liner protection where vegetation and blankets alone are insufficient. Every product is stocked in South Africa, fully specified to ASTM and SANS standards, and supported by technical grade selection, design assistance, and pan-African logistics from a single accountable supplier.
| About Erosion Control & Geocells
Exposed soil on construction slopes, road cuttings, embankments, riverbanks, mine waste dumps, and rehabilitated land is vulnerable to surface erosion from rainfall impact and runoff. Without surface protection, topsoil loss accelerates, vegetation establishment fails, and slope instability follows. Geosynthetics Africa erosion control systems intercept rainfall energy at the soil surface, hold the soil matrix in place through the critical vegetation establishment period, and provide structural confinement where biological systems alone are insufficient for the gradient, hydraulic load, or design life required.
The SoilLock natural fibre erosion blanket range is matched to slope gradient, rainfall intensity, and vegetation establishment timeline. Jute SoilLock 292gsm provides economical temporary protection on moderate slopes, biodegrading completely within 24 months. Coir SoilLock at 350gsm and 450gsm delivers medium to long-term protection on steeper slopes, wet channels, and mining applications where design life extends to 36 and 48 months respectively. Straw SoilLock 300gsm is the standard Type 1D specification for temporary slope and embankment protection on civil and infrastructure projects. EnviroWool SoilLock 440gsm provides a dense wood wool matrix rated to Type 3B with a certified C-factor of less than 0.05 - the correct specification for steep embankments, high-rainfall zones, and performance-driven tender requirements where standard straw blankets are insufficient.
GeoStrata HDPE geocells are a three-dimensional cellular confinement system manufactured from 100% virgin HDPE to ASTM standards, supplied in large-format 3m x 11m panels giving 33m2 expanded area per panel. The GeoStrata range covers five weld spacings from GS 330 to GS 712 and cell depths from 75mm to 250mm - providing engineers with the correct confinement geometry for every application from unpaved mine haul road base stabilisation and slope protection through to retaining wall construction, drainage channel lining, and geomembrane liner protection on dams, ponds, and tailings facilities. PolyCell woven polypropylene geocells complement the GeoStrata range as the standard specification for in-situ concrete channel and canal lining, concrete rural road construction, vegetated slope protection, and liner protection cushion applications - supplied in 10m x 5m panels covering 50m2 per panel in 75mm, 100mm, and 150mm cell heights. Installation accessories including J-pins, ground anchors, tendons, and connection keys are supplied with both systems.
| Common Applications and Engineering Use Cases
Slope & Erosion Protection
Erosion protection for slopes, embankments and drainage channels. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.
Read MoreChannel Lining & Protection
Canal lining and protection for agricultural and water-conveyance projects. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.
Read MoreRoad & Rail Earthworks
Geosynthetic systems for road foundations, rail formations and pavement rehabilitation. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.
Read MoreDesigned Ground Stabilisation
Aggregate stabilisation and engineered soil reinforcement. Select the exact product grade and installation detail through the approved project design.
Read More| Properties & Specifications
| Product family | Material type | Key grades | Specs | Permanence | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jute SoilLock | Natural | Jute weave | 292 gsm | Temporary | Moderate slopes · seeded banks · establishment phase |
| Coir SoilLock | Natural | Coconut Fibre | 350 -450 gsm | Temporary | Steep slopes · wet channels · longer service life than jute |
| Straw SoilLock | Natural | Straw Cellulose | 200gsm | Temporary | Disturbed surfaces · construction sites · temporary mulch |
| EnviroWool SoilLock | Natural | Wood Wool Matrix | 300gsm | Temporary | Steep slopes · high-velocity channel banks · longer design life |
| GeoStrata HDPE Geocell | Synthetics | GS330-GS720 | 75 · 100 · 150 · 200 mm | Permanent | Slopes · haul roads · retaining walls · channel lining · liner protection |
| PolyCell Geocell | Synthetic | Polypropylene | 75 · 100 · 150 mm | Permanent | Light-duty slope stabilisation · drainage · vegetation confinement |
| Coir Log | Composite | Coconut fibre packed | Ø 200 – 450 mm | Temporary | Shoreline · riverbank velocity reduction · sediment control |
| Types of Erosion Control & Geocells
Natural Fibre Erosion Blankets - Jute, Coir, Straw & EnviroWool
Biodegradable erosion control blankets from natural fibres for temporary to medium-term slope and channel protection during vegetation establishment. Jute SoilLock 292gsm for moderate slopes, Coir SoilLock 350 and 450gsm for steep slopes and wet channels, Straw SoilLock for disturbed surface mulching and EnviroWool SoilLock wood wool matrix for steep slopes and high-velocity channels. All grades biodegrade completely leaving zero plastic residue.
GeoStrata HDPE Geocells - Permanent Slope & Haul Road Confinement
GeoStrata HDPE geocells provide three-dimensional cellular confinement for permanent slope protection, haul road stabilisation, retaining wall construction and channel lining. Manufactured from 100% virgin HDPE in GS445 and GS720 grades at cell depths of 75mm, 100mm, 150mm and 200mm. Panels of 3m x 11m give 33m2 expanded area per panel for fast installation on large African projects.
PolyCell Polypropylene Geocells - Light Duty Slope Stabilisation
PolyCell polypropylene geocells provide lightweight cellular confinement for light-duty slope stabilisation, pedestrian path protection and light vehicle access tracks. Available in 75mm, 100mm and 150mm cell depths. UV stabilised for permanent outdoor installation.
Coir Logs - Shoreline, Riverbank & Channel Protection
Coir logs are coconut fibre packed into biodegradable mesh tubes for shoreline protection, riverbank stabilisation, channel bed protection and sediment filtration. Available in diameters from 200mm to 450mm. Installed at the toe of slopes, along channel banks and across drainage swales to intercept sediment and reduce flow velocity.
| Benefits of using Erosion Control & Geocells
Matched to Slope Gradient and Design Life
No single erosion control product is correct for all applications. Jute degrades within 24 months and suits moderate slopes. Coir lasts 3 to 5 years and suits steep slopes and wet channels. HDPE geocells provide permanent confinement for slopes and haul roads that vegetation alone cannot protect. Selecting the right product for the gradient, rainfall intensity and required service life is the difference between successful revegetation and repeated failure.
Biodegradable Products Leave No Plastic Residue
All SoilLock natural fibre blankets and coir logs biodegrade completely - no synthetic residue remains in the soil after the product has served its purpose. This is a requirement on environmentally sensitive projects, green-certified developments and sites where future soil use must not be compromised by legacy plastic contamination.
Permanent Geocell Confinement Where Vegetation Is Insufficient
On slopes steeper than approximately 1:1, on haul roads under heavy axle loading and in high-velocity channels where grass cannot provide adequate long-term protection, GeoStrata HDPE geocells provide structural confinement that holds infill material in place permanently. The three-dimensional cell structure distributes load, prevents surface sliding and resists hydraulic scour regardless of vegetation establishment.
Locally Stocked - Available for Immediate Dispatch
The full SoilLock and GeoStrata range is held in stock in South Africa for same-week dispatch. Erosion control is time-critical - exposed slopes cannot wait for import lead times. Geosynthetics Africa supplies to site across Southern, East and West Africa with pan-African logistics support.
| Frequently Asked Questions about Erosion Control & Geocells
How do I choose between jute and coir erosion blankets?
When should I use a geocell instead of an erosion blanket?
Can erosion blankets and geocells be used together?
What is the difference between GeoStrata HDPE and PolyCell polypropylene geocells?
How long do coir logs last before biodegrading?
| Specifications for Installing Erosion Control & Geocells
Jute SoilLock Installation - Level and clear the slope surface, excavate a 150mm anchor trench at the crest and secure the leading edge. Unroll from the top downward, laying loosely to follow ground contours without stretching. Overlap adjacent lengths by 150mm in the direction of water flow. Peg at 1m grid intervals with 500mm notched timber pegs, reducing to 500mm spacing on steep slopes. Seed before or after installation. Secure the base edge to the toe drain to prevent uplift.
Coir SoilLock Installation - Prepare slope and excavate 150mm anchor trench at crest. Hydroseeding before laying is preferred on large installations. Unroll from top downward, laying loosely to contours. Overlap adjacent lengths by 150mm minimum - coir blankets are heavier than jute and mechanical assistance may be needed on steep slopes. Peg at 500mm to 1m grid intervals depending on gradient. Secure base edge to toe drain or channel - unsecured base edges are the most common coir installation failure point.
GeoStrata HDPE Geocell Installation - Prepare subgrade to specified compaction and remove sharp objects. Install separation geotextile on subgrade if infill is fine-grained soil. Expand panels from the top of the slope downward and pin with J-pins or ground anchors at specified spacing. Connect adjacent panels with tendons through tendon slot panels. Fill cells from the bottom upward with topsoil, gravel or concrete depending on application. Compact fill in layers and seed vegetated cells immediately after filling to begin establishment.
PolyCell Geocell Installation - Prepare subgrade and remove sharp objects. Expand panels in the direction of the slope and pin with J-pins at specified spacing. Connect adjacent panels at edges. Fill with topsoil or gravel depending on application. PolyCell is lighter than HDPE and easier to handle on smaller installations - secure all edges before filling to prevent panel movement.
Coir Log Installation - Position coir logs along the contour at the toe of the slope, along channel banks or across drainage swales perpendicular to flow direction. Stake through the log into the ground at 1m intervals using 600mm timber or steel stakes. On slopes install logs across the full width of the slope with no gaps at the ends. On channel banks partially embed the log into the bank face and stake firmly. Logs can be stacked for higher flow velocity applications.
| Benefits of Choosing Our Products
- SoilLock Natural Fibre Blankets - Jute · Coir · Straw cellulose · EnviroWool wood wool - matched to slope gradient and design life
- Fully Biodegradable Blankets - No synthetic residue in soil · supports natural vegetation establishment · compliant with environmental permit conditions
- GeoStrata HDPE Geocells - 100% virgin HDPE · ASTM standards · GS445 and GS712 grades · 75mm to 200mm cell depth
- 3m x 11m Panels - 33m2 expanded area · faster handling and installation · fewer joints on large African projects
- Coir SoilLock 350 and 450 gsm - Two grades for moderate and steep slope applications · longer service life than jute
- Supply and Installation - Geosynthetics Africa supplies and installs geocell systems across Africa with full QA/QC and technical support
- Pan-African Delivery - South Africa · Zambia · DRC · Tanzania · Kenya · Ghana · Namibia · Botswana · Mozambique
| Projects with Erosion Control & Geocells Across Africa
| Popular Erosion Control & Geocells in our Catalogue
A curated selection of best-selling erosion control & geocells. View full specs, request a quote, or add to your BOQ — without leaving this page.
Coir SoilLock Coconut Fibre Erosion Control Blanket – 350gsm & 450gsm
Coir SoilLock is a 100% coconut fibre erosion control blanket supplied in two grades: 350gsm for civil slopes, embankments and stream banks, and 450gsm mining grade for tailings dams and steep, high-runoff slopes. ASTM-tested, long-term (Type 4) protection, delivered across Africa.
Jute SoilLock™ - 292gsm Jute Erosion Control Blanket
292gsm open-weave jute erosion control blanket, 100% natural fibre, 10 × 10 mm aperture. For vegetation establishment, mulch retention and slope protection on moderate gradients. Supplied in 1.22 m × 100 m jumbo rolls (122 m²) and 1.22 m × 50 m rolls (61 m²) - hand-placeable, no forklift required on site. QA/QC certified supply with mill certificates, delivered continent-wide.
Straw Erosion Control Blanket – Straw SoilLock 300
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.
GeoStrata™ HDPE Geocell - Cellular Confinement System
Textured, perforated HDPE cellular confinement system in five weld spacings from 330 mm to 712 mm and seven cell depths from 75 mm to 300 mm, supplied in 3 m × 11 m panels at 33 m² expanded. For slope stabilisation, load support, channel protection and retaining walls across Africa.
PolyCell Geocell – Cellular Fabric Formwork for Liner Protection & Canal Lining
PolyCell is a woven polypropylene geocell that opens into three-dimensional cells and is filled on site with concrete, soil or stone. Used for geomembrane liner protection, canal and channel lining, slope armouring and load support, with no shuttering and no precast panels. Supplied and installed across Africa.
| Industries that use Erosion Control & Geocells
| Specsheets & Installation Guides
Download technical datasheets and step-by-step installation guides for Erosion Control & Geocells.
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