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EnviroWool SoilLock 440 - 440gsm Wood Wool Erosion Control Blanket

EnviroWool SoilLock 440 is a 440gsm Type 3B wood wool erosion control blanket made from Populus canescens excelsior sewn between two photodegradable polypropylene nets. Supplied in 2.45m x 51.4m rolls for demanding slope stabilisation, embankment protection, and vegetation establishment where higher mass, extended longevity, and certified C-factor performance are required. Functional longevity up to 24 months. C-factor less than 0.05 tested to ASTM D6459.

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Technical Specification of EnviroWool SoilLock 440 - 440gsm Wood Wool Erosion Control Blanket

EnviroWool SoilLock 440 is a high-performance biodegradable erosion control blanket engineered from Populus canescens wood wool (excelsior) - shredded branch and trunk material - sewn between two lightweight photodegradable polypropylene nets on 50mm centres using biodegradable yarn. Classified as a Type 3B erosion control blanket, it is designed for projects where standard straw blankets are insufficient and higher erosion resistance, greater mass, and longer functional life are required by the specification.

At 440 g/m2 and 9mm thickness, EnviroWool SoilLock 440 delivers a denser, more robust protective layer than straw alternatives. The wood wool fibre matrix intercepts rainfall impact, dramatically reduces overland flow velocity, and retains surface moisture through the critical vegetation establishment period. With a certified C-factor of less than 0.05 (ASTM D6459) and shear stress capacity exceeding 100Pa (ASTM D6460), it satisfies performance-driven tender specifications where demonstrated erosion control data is required by engineers and environmental authorities.

EnviroWool SoilLock 440 is 100% seed-free and sterile - it imports no unpredictable organic material or weed seed onto site, making it the correct choice for environmentally sensitive rehabilitation projects, conservation areas, and sites where invasive species introduction is a compliance risk. No adhesives or chemicals are used in manufacture.

EnviroWool SoilLock 440 has a functional longevity of up to 24 months, degrading progressively in service as vegetation establishes. The photodegradable PP net breaks down under UV exposure and the wood wool matrix biodegrades into the soil, adding organic matter. No removal is required. No plastic residue remains. Supplied tightly rolled and wrapped in 2.45m x 51.4m rolls - 125m2 coverage per roll - for transport to remote and site-restricted locations across Africa.

Typical Values for EROSION CONTROL GEOCELLS

Material
Populus canescens wood wool (excelsior) - photodegradable PP net both sides
ECTC Classification
Type 3B - C-Factor less than 0.05 (ASTM D6459)
Weight
440 g/m2
Thickness
+/- 9mm (ASTM D6525)
Functional Longevity
Up to 24 months - climate and soil dependent

Properties & Dimensions

PropertyTest MethodValue
Material-Populus canescens wood wool (excelsior)
Construction-Wood wool matrix - sewn between two photodegradable PP nets - 50mm centres
ECTC Classification-Type 3B
Mass per unit areaASTM D6475440 g/m2
Roll width-2.45
Roll length-51.4
Roll area-125
Roll weight-+/- 53kg
Material thicknessASTM D6525+/- 9mm
C-FactorASTM D6459Less than 0.05
MD tensile strengthASTM D68182.4 kN/m
TD tensile strengthASTM D68181.2 kN/m
Light penetrationASTM D6567+/- 36%
Water absorptionASTM D1117171%
Shear stressASTM D6460Greater than 100Pa
Netting-Photodegradable polypropylene - both sides
Stitching-Biodegradable yarn - 50mm centres
Seed content-100% seed-free - sterile
Functional longevity-Up to 24 months - climate and soil dependent
Residue-Zero - fully organic

Popular Catalogue Items

Wood Wool Erosion Control Blanket – EnviroWool SoilLock 440

Wood Wool Erosion Control Blanket – EnviroWool SoilLock 440

Wood wool erosion control blanket (excelsior), Type 3B, 440 gsm, for medium to high risk slopes up to 1.5:1. Populus canescens wood wool stitched between two photodegradable nets, with a functional longevity of 12 to 24 months. Rolls cover 125.9 m². Stocked in South Africa, delivered across Africa.

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Three Questions To Ask Before You Order

1.What is EnviroWool SoilLock 440 and how does it differ from straw erosion blankets?
EnviroWool SoilLock 440 is a Type 3B biodegradable erosion control blanket made from Populus canescens wood wool (excelsior) sewn between two photodegradable polypropylene nets. It is heavier (440 g/m2 vs 300 g/m2), thicker, has a certified C-factor of less than 0.05, twice the functional longevity (24 vs 12 months), and higher tensile and shear performance than standard straw blankets. It is specified where straw is insufficient by gradient, rainfall intensity, or longevity requirements.
2.What is wood wool and where does it come from?
Wood wool - also known as excelsior - is shredded branch and trunk material from Populus canescens (grey poplar). The fibres are longer and coarser than straw, producing a denser blanket matrix with better moisture retention and greater resistance to overland flow. The material is 100% natural, sterile, and seed-free - no adhesives or chemicals are used in manufacture.
3.What does the Type 3B classification mean and why does it matter for tenders?
Type 3B is an Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) performance classification for erosion control blankets. It indicates a higher-performance product than Type 1D straw blankets, with certified C-factor and shear stress values tested to ASTM standards. When a tender specification calls for a Type 3B blanket or requires a C-factor below a set threshold, EnviroWool SoilLock 440 satisfies that requirement directly - straw blankets do not.
4.Is EnviroWool SoilLock 440 suitable for environmentally sensitive and conservation sites
Yes. EnviroWool SoilLock 440 is 100% seed-free and sterile, introducing no weed seed or unpredictable organic material to site. No adhesives or chemicals are used. The product biodegrades fully in service, leaving zero plastic residue. These properties make it the correct and defensible choice for conservation areas, post-mining rehabilitation, riparian zones, and any project where invasive species introduction or chemical contamination is a compliance risk.
5.How long does EnviroWool SoilLock 440 last and does it need to be removed?
Functional longevity is up to 24 months, dependent on UV exposure, rainfall, temperature, and soil conditions. The blanket degrades progressively in service as vegetation establishes - no removal is required and no plastic residue remains. The wood wool matrix biodegrades into the soil, adding organic matter and improving long-term soil fertility on the rehabilitated surface.
6.What anchorage and overlap is required during installation?
Peg at approximately 1m centres across the blanket face using wood pegs or steel U-pins with a minimum leg length of 270mm. Bury the top and toe of each blanket run to a minimum of 500mm and backfill and compact the trench. On slopes steeper than 1:3 (18 degrees), unroll from the top down. On slopes less than 1:3, install horizontally along the contour from base upward. Maintain a minimum 100mm overlap between adjacent rolls and peg through all overlap zones.

Specification For The Design, Installation Of EnviroWool SoilLock 440 - 440gsm Wood Wool Erosion Control Blanket

EnviroWool SoilLock 440 installation requires no specialist tools or equipment. The critical requirements are correct surface preparation, proper anchor trenching at the top and toe of each slope run, and consistent pegging at specified centres. Poor soil contact and inadequate anchorage are the two primary causes of installation failure - both are preventable with correct procedure.

1. Surface Preparation - Grade and compact the slope surface and remove all rocks, debris, and loose material. Fine-grade to ensure full contact between the blanket and soil throughout. Apply topsoil to adequate depth to provide a seedbed and distribute seed consistently across the surface before blanket installation.

2. Anchor Trenches - Excavate anchor trenches at the top and toe of each slope run to a minimum depth of 500mm. Fold the blanket into the trench, backfill with compacted soil, and peg through the blanket at the trench edge. This anchorage is non-negotiable - unanchored blanket ends are the most common cause of installation failure on steep slopes.

3. Direction of Installation - On slopes up to 1:3 (18 degrees), install rolls horizontally along the contour working from the base of the embankment upward, with each upper roll laid on top of the lower roll. On slopes steeper than 1:3, unroll from the top of the embankment down to the toe.

4. Pegging - Peg through the blanket face at approximately 1m centres using wood pegs or steel U-pins with a minimum leg length of 270mm, driven flush with the blanket surface. Increase peg density near the toe of long slopes and in drainage channel applications where peak flow velocities are higher.

5. Overlaps and Joints - Maintain a minimum 100mm overlap between adjacent rolls. On steep slopes, shingle overlaps downslope so the upper roll overlaps the lower roll, preventing water ingress beneath the joint. Peg through all overlap zones at maximum 500mm centres. Average installation rate is 4-5 rolls per hour - allow for overlap deductions when calculating quantities.

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