Civil Engineering market broadly consumes flexible plastics and rubbers for applications in geomembranes, geogrids and so on. Generally, these uses pass unnoticed in spite of their growing importance and of the age of the first applications.
They are generally hidden for stabilization of soils, containment of water and other liquids, lining of landfills and other waste ponds.
Stringent requirements of environmental regulations drive novel applications with very high durability, up to several centuries in particular cases.
Geotextiles are fabrics used to:
* Stabilize, reinforce soil for roads, railroads, airfields, embankments, retaining structures, reservoirs, canals, dams, bank protection and coastal engineering.
* Protect geomembranes from the direct contact with stones, gravel and other damaging materials.
Geomembranes are giant impermeable membranes made of (un)reinforced polymeric materials and used to stabilize earth and to secure landfills insuring containment of hazardous or municipal wastes and their leachates.