Restoring degraded landscapes, controlling erosion on slopes with native vegetation, and protecting canal banks with a biodegradable solution that doesn't leave plastic microfragments after years, while accelerating germination by protecting seeds from rain impact, requires a coir fiber biomat interwoven with a biodegradable net. This coir biomat —also called an erosion control blanket, coir blanket, or organic biomat— is manufactured by MOLTEXO with natural coir fibers at 280 g/m² grammage, in rolls 2.5 m wide and 40 m long, designed for erosion control projects with revegetation, landscape restoration, sustainable residential gardening, and civil engineering works with an ecological focus.
Key Benefits
- 100% biodegradable without microfragments: at the end of its useful life (2-5 years), it decomposes into organic matter, enriching the soil, without leaving plastic microfragments like synthetic geomats. This is a preferred condition for projects with environmental criteria or ecological certification.
- Ideal microclimate for germination: the coir fiber net reduces the direct impact of raindrops on freshly sown seeds, maintains stable surface moisture, and protects against wind and birds, conditions that accelerate germination and seedling survival.
- Coir water retention: the fibers absorb rainwater and gradually release it into the substrate, maintaining moisture available for seedlings for days after each rain, a decisive advantage in climates with dry periods between rains.
- Immediate mechanical erosion control: the fiber matrix slows the speed of surface runoff, prevents the washing away of fertile soil, and significantly reduces the formation of rills due to flow, conditions that protect the substrate during the critical period of vegetation establishment.
- Compatible with all types of seeding: hydroseeding (with specialized machinery), manual seeding with broadcast seeds and fertilizer, direct planting of seedlings through the mesh, a condition for different scales and revegetation techniques.
Typical Applications and Uses
- Stabilization of slopes and embankments in road, urbanization, and residential development projects with native vegetation.
- Restoration of canal banks, streams, lagoons, and wetland transition zones with an ecological focus.
- Landscaping of degraded areas: restored mining sites, post-construction sites, and urban revegetation projects.
- Sports fields and parks that require grass recovery after renovation.
Quality and Durability
An economical biomat fails in two aspects: the coir fibers are low-density or short (producing a thin mat that breaks at the first impact of intense rain before vegetation establishes) and the binding net is not robust enough (disintegrating in a few weeks, leaving the loose fibers without functional entanglement). MOLTEXO works with 280 g/m² coir fibers interwoven with a strong biodegradable net, which differentiates a professional erosion control biomat from a generic organic mat that disintegrates before fulfilling its function.
What's the real durability of the coir blanket before it biodegrades?
Under typical conditions the blanket keeps functional structure for 2-5 years, depending on ambient humidity, temperature, sun exposure and soil composition. Caribbean tropical climates with high humidity and temperature push biodegradation toward the lower end of the range (2-3 years); arid dry climates toward the upper end. This window is exactly what's needed: enough time for vegetation to germinate, root and consolidate its own erosion-control system, after which the blanket breaks down into organic matter that enriches the soil. It leaves no plastic microfragments, unlike synthetic erosion mats.
Do I need to seed before laying the blanket?
Yes, for revegetation. Standard sequence: level the ground, broadcast seed and fertilizer directly on the prepared soil, then lay the blanket and anchor firmly. This seed-underneath orientation lets seeds germinate protected from direct rain and wind impact, while the open coir mesh lets light and water through for germination. Seedlings grow through the mesh and the blanket accompanies their development. For pure erosion control without revegetation, it can be installed without prior seeding, but loses the system's main benefit. For climates with seasonal drought, plan seeding at the start of the rainy season.
How is the blanket firmly anchored to the soil?
Fixing is critical for the system to work. Common anchors: U-shaped metal staples (15-30 cm long, depending on soil firmness), treated wood stakes or barbed plastic stakes. Anchor density depends on slope: for gentle slopes (≤1:3) 1-2 anchors per square meter at edges and selective reinforcements is enough; for steep slopes (1:2 or more), density rises to 3-4 anchors per square meter spread evenly. Overlaps between rolls (10-15 cm) and the upper edges need extra reinforcement, since these are the critical points where rain can lift the blanket.
Does it work for any slope inclination?
Main use: moderate to steep slopes, up to 1:1 (45°) in some cases depending on weight and design. For residential and road-infrastructure slopes it covers most scenarios. For nearly vertical walls or slopes greater than 1:1, combined or reinforced systems are used: coir blanket + MSE geogrid for structural reinforcement, or coir blanket + permanent three-dimensional matrix such as a synthetic erosion mat. For extreme erosion conditions (channels with continuous water flow, riverbanks in Caribbean climate with storms), the coir blanket on its own may not be enough and needs combining with non-biodegradable elements.
Still have questions?
Ask us and we will gladly help you with whatever you need.
| Material and construction | |
|---|---|
| Color | Khaki |
| Weight per area (surface weight) | 280 g/m² (8.26 oz/yd²) — ASTM D6566 |
| Dimensions and format | |
| Thickness | 6.6 mm (0.260 in) — ASTM D6525 |
| Roll width | 2.5 m (8.20 ft) |
| Area per roll | 100 m² (119.6 yd²) |
| Roll length | 40 m (131.2 ft) |
| Strength and performance | |
| Elongation (longitudinal) | 20 % — ASTM D6818 |
| Light penetration | 16 % — ASTM D6567 |
| Tensile strength (longitudinal) | 3.7 kN/m (254 lb/ft) — ASTM D6818 |
| Durability and protection | |
| UV protection | Yes (high) |
| Presentation and packaging | |
| Presentation | Roll 2.5 m (8.2 ft) wide and 40 m (131 ft) long |
| Roll: Width | 35.0 cm (13.78 in) |
|---|---|
| Roll: Height | 35.0 cm (13.78 in) |
| Roll: Depth | 250.0 cm (98.43 in) |
| Roll: Weight | 28.0 kg |
Official MOLTEXO warranty
What's covered
Confirmado el defecto: sustitución o devolución del valor pagado.
What's not covered
Payment & Security
