Geosynthetics World

Geosynthetics are essential components in modern infrastructure and civil works. As a leading geosynthetic manufacturer, Maccaferri provides geosynthetics in civil engineering projects ranging from road construction to landfill containment. This guide introduces the types of geosynthetics, their functions, and how they’re used in geotechnical and environmental applications.

What are Geosynthetics?

Geosynthetics are planar materials made from synthetic polymers used in conjunction with soil, rock, or other geotechnical materials as integral components in civil engineering works. These products improve ground performance, provide stability, enhance durability, and reduce overall construction costs.

Maccaferri offers a broad portfolio of geosynthetics solutions including geotextile fabric, geocomposite systems, geogrids, geomembrane liners, and synthetic marine solutions. We design and supply multicomposite geosynthetics tailored to meet the unique needs of each project.

Primary Functions of Geosynthetics

• Reinforcement – Improve soil strength and stability using reinforcement geosynthetics such as geogrids and woven geotextiles
• Separation – Prevent mixing of soil layers with geotextile filter cloth or non-woven geotextile barriers
• Filtration – Allow water to pass through while retaining soil using woven or non-woven geotextiles
• Drainage – Facilitate water or gas movement using vertical drain systems, geonets, and drainage geocomposites
• Barrier – Control fluid migration using geomembranes and geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs)
• Protection – Prevent damage to buried structures using geosynthetic mats or geotextile layers
• Erosion Control – Prevent surface erosion with geotube and synthetic marine solutions
• Soil Replacement – Reduce load with lightweight materials like geofoam

Geotextiles (MacTex®)

Geotextiles are permeable fabrics made from polypropylene or polyester. They can be woven geotextile, non-woven geotextile, or knitted, used for separation, filtration, protection, and reinforcement.

Applications: road subgrades, silt fences, coastal protection, tank foundations, landfill capping

Geogrids (MacGrid®, ParaLink®)

Geogrids are open mesh-like structures used for reinforcement geosynthetics applications. These improve load distribution and stability in weak soil conditions.

Applications: MSE walls, embankments, pile-supported structures, asphalt reinforcement.

Geocomposites (MacDrain®)

Geocomposites combine multiple geosynthetic types, such as geotextile and geonet, to deliver multifunctional solutions like drainage and separation in one layer.

Applications: retaining walls, tunnels, basement drainage, vertical drain systems.

Geomembranes (MacLine®)

Geomembranes are impermeable geosynthetic liners used for fluid containment. These geosynthetic geomembranes are made from HDPE or similar materials.

Applications: tailings dams, reservoirs, landfills, chemical containment.

Geosynthetic Mats (MacMat®)

Geosynthetic mats are three-dimensional polymeric structures designed to trap soil particles and encourage vegetation growth while protecting against environmental forces

Applications: surface erosion, slope stabilization, revegetation support

Geocells (MacWeb®)

Geocells are three-dimensional, honeycomb-like structures made from high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or similar polymeric materials. They are expanded on-site and filled with soil, aggregate, or concrete to reinforce the confined fill and distribute loads more evenly.

Applications: load support, base stabilization, erosion control, retaining walls, shoreline protection