25 July 2025

Erosion Control

Discover Maccaferri’s geosynthetics solutions, including geotextiles, geogrids, geomembranes, and erosion control mats. Engineered for soil reinforcement, drainage, and environmental protection in civil and geotechnical engineering.

Soil erosion poses serious risks to infrastructure, ecosystems, and public safety. At Maccaferri, we provide engineered erosion control solutions to protect slopes, reduce sediment loss, and preserve the integrity of landforms. This article explores what soil erosion is, its effects, and the effective systems we offer to mitigate it, ranging from erosion control matting to advanced geotechnical solutions like soil nailing for slope stabilization.

What is Soil Erosion?

Soil erosion is the displacement of soil particles caused by wind, rain, surface runoff, or gravity. It can lead to:

Reduced land productivity
Infrastructure failure
Sedimentation of waterways
Slope instability and landslides

Understanding what soil erosion is and how it impacts your site is the first step in choosing the right erosion control solution.

Effect of Soil Erosion

Unchecked erosion can result in:

Loss of fertile topsoil
Increased maintenance costs for infrastructure
Damaged road embankments, canals, and drainage systems
Risk to nearby properties and lives in sloped areas

These risks highlight the need for immediate and effective control of soil erosion.

How to Control Soil Erosion

There are several erosion mitigation strategies and ways to control soil erosion, which depend on the terrain, soil type, and climate conditions.

Maccaferri offers a comprehensive range of erosion protection systems to address these challenges, including:

Erosion Control Matting (MacMat®)

MacMat® is a flexible, three-dimensional geomat used for surface reinforcement. It works by anchoring the soil layer, promoting vegetation, and reducing runoff energy.

Best for: slopes, riverbanks, roadside embankments, and as a facing system over shotcrete or nails

Soil Nailing for Slope Stabilization

Soil nailing is a soil stabilization technique where steel bars (nails) are inserted into the slope to provide global stability. The facing system—like MacMat® R—serves to protect the surface from erosion while vegetation takes hold.

Best for: steep cut slopes, road widenings, and landslide-prone areas

Geotechnical Solutions for Slope Protection

Our erosion systems are often part of a wider slope protection strategy, integrating:

Drainage and filtration systems to control water pressure and flow
Soil replacement when native soils are too weak or erodible
Vegetated reinforced soil slopes (VRSS) for long-term stability and aesthetics