Recycling geotextiles in construction projects enhances sustainability in Europe

In 2021, as part of the SWITCH project to install new high-voltage pylons, temporary access roads were constructed on grasslands. The project used 500,000 m² (598,000 yd²) of MIRAFI^® Geolon HMi-5^* geotextile as a separation and stabilization layer, a choice that led to 50% saving in the amount of sand required beneath the concrete slabs, significantly cutting down both sand consumption and the number of transportation trips. This not only minimized sand consumption but also decreased the number of transportation trips required, mitigating the project's environmental impact, and reducing community disturbance.

The project's sustainability extended beyond the installation phase, a collaboration between Solmax, SWITCH (a contracting group comprised of Strukton, Mobilis, and Oosterhof Holman) and TenneT resulted in the used geotextile being recycled, once the project was complete. This initiative would make temporary access roads a model for circular economy practices. By converting the used MIRAFI Geolon HMi-5 into pellets, the materials are reintegrated into Solmax’s production cycle. The challenge, however, was formidable. No existing process could efficiently recycle geotextile contaminated with a high soil particle content, necessitating an innovative approach to ensure the recycled material was devoid of soil particles.

During the installation phase, SWITCH and TenneT envisioned recycling the used geotextile after the project's completion. SWITCH investigated methods for removing the MIRAFI Geolon HMi-5 with minimal sand content, while Solmax worked to develop a recycling process. Through pilot-scale trials and continuous refinement, they established an effective method, marking a significant stride in sustainable construction practices.

What sets the SWITCH project apart is its pioneering approach to recycling geotextiles. The process involved overcoming the challenge of extracting soil particles in the MIRAFI Geolon HMi-5 to ensure the resulting material was suitable for reuse in geosynthetic production. This required the production of high-quality pellets, meeting stringent standards for reintroduction into the production cycle, not impacting the performance of the product.

The project illustrates how combining diverse expertise and perspectives can lead to significant environmental advancements. Solmax's prior efforts in recycling geosynthetics were significantly accelerated through this partnership, demonstrating the power of collaborative innovation.

* MIRAFI Geolon HMi-5 is only available in EMEA 

Disassembling the temporary access road constructed for the SWITCH project.

MIRAFI Geolon HMi-5 geotextile reclaimed after project completion.

Transformation of recycled geotextile into pellets for reuse.

Pellets prepared from recycled geotextile, ready for integration into new products.