How to Choose the Right Geotextile?

Geotextile is a key material widely used in civil engineering, road construction, hydraulic projects, and environmental protection works. With functions such as separation, filtration, drainage, reinforcement, and protection, it significantly enhances the quality and durability of infrastructure. As global infrastructure investment continues to grow, international demand for geotextiles is steadily rising. However, given the diversity of product types and supply channels, foreign trade buyers, engineering contractors, and project decision-makers need systematic knowledge of geotextile selection and procurement strategies.

1. Main Types of Geotextiles and Their Characteristics

1.1 Classification by Manufacturing Process

1.1.1 Woven Geotextile
Material: Polyester (PET) or Polypropylene (PP) fibers woven in warp and weft
Features: High strength and low elongation; excellent tensile performance; mainly used for reinforcement and subgrade stabilization (e.g., roads, railways); lower permeability; suitable for high-load-bearing applications

1.1.2 Non-Woven Geotextile
Processes: Needle punched, thermally bonded, or chemically bonded
Features: Good permeability and filtration; mainly used in drainage, separation, and protection projects; cost-effective and widely used

1.1.3 Knitted Geotextile
Features: High elasticity, ideal for irregular terrains; commonly used in slope protection and ecological engineering

1.1.4 Composite Geotextile
Structure: Geotextile combined with a geomembrane (e.g., HDPE)
Features: Integrates separation and anti-seepage; widely used in landfills, artificial lakes, and other environmental applications

1.2 Classification by Material

- Polypropylene (PP) Geotextile: Good acid and alkali resistance; lower cost; poor UV resistance; suitable for short-term and underground projects

- Polyester (PET) Geotextile: High strength and aging resistance; suitable for highways and long-term projects; slightly higher price

- Polyethylene (PE) Geotextile: Excellent impermeability but less flexible; used mainly in anti-seepage works

- Natural Fibers (e.g., Coconut Fiber): Biodegradable and eco-friendly; ideal for ecological engineering; lower strength and shorter lifespan

2. How to Choose the Right Geotextile Based on Engineering Needs?

2.1 Key Performance Indicators

Physical Properties

- Mass per unit area (g/m²): Affects thickness and load-bearing; 300–600g/m² recommended for road projects

- Thickness (mm): Influences filtration and drainage capability

- Porosity (%): Determines water permeability and soil retention; typically 50%–90%

Mechanical Properties

- Tensile Strength (kN/m): Reflects tensile capacity; highways require ≥30kN/m

- Elongation at Break (%): Material ductility; 20%–50% optimal

- CBR Puncture Strength (kN): Resistance to localized piercing; ≥2.5kN for critical projects

- Tear Strength (N): Indicates risk of edge damage propagation

Hydraulic Properties

- Vertical Permeability Coefficient (cm/s): Ranges from 10^-1 to 10^-3

- Equivalent Opening Size (O90): Typically 0.07–0.2mm

Durability

- UV Resistance: Strength retention ≥70% under exposure

- Chemical Resistance: Stable in pH 2–13 environments

- Aging Resistance: Service life should match project lifecycle

2.2 Geotextile Selection for Different Road Projects

Highways and Class I Roads
- Recommendation: High-strength woven or composite geotextile
- Parameters: Tensile strength ≥50kN/m; CBR ≥3.5kN; O90 ≤0.15mm
- Applications: Subgrade reinforcement, slope stabilization, drainage systems

Class II and Below Roads
- Recommendation: Needle-punched non-woven geotextile
- Parameters: Mass per unit area 400–500g/m²; tensile strength ≥20kN/m
- Applications: Subgrade separation, filtration, drainage layers

Rural Roads and Temporary Construction Roads
- Recommendation: Economical non-woven geotextile
- Parameters: Mass per unit area 200–300g/m²; tensile strength ≥10kN/m
- Features: Cost-effective, meets basic performance requirements

Special Geological Roads

- Soft Soil: High elongation (30%–50%) geotextile

- Frozen Soil: Freeze–thaw-resistant geotextile

- Saline-Alkali Soil: PET geotextile recommended for corrosion resistance.

3. Key Considerations for International Procurement

3.1 How to Identify Reliable Suppliers?

- Certifications: ISO 9001, CE, GRI

- Quality Control: Availability of SGS or other third-party test reports

- Delivery Assurance: Stable production capacity; delivery within 30–60 days

- Service Support: Availability of after-sales technical assistance

4. Cost Optimization Strategies for Foreign Trade Procurement

4.1 Lifecycle Cost Analysis

Initial Cost = Unit Price × Quantity + Shipping Cost

Construction Cost: Installation difficulty affects labor and equipment cost

Maintenance Cost: Higher quality reduces future maintenance expenses

Service Life: Longer lifespan extends major overhaul intervals, reducing overall investment

4.2 Centralized Procurement and Partnership

Joint procurement across projects for volume discounts

Establish long-term agreements with reputable manufacturers

Take advantage of seasonal promotions and rebate policies

4.3 Specification and Performance Optimization

Configure parameters based on actual engineering needs to avoid over-specification

Consult engineers for best cost-performance balance

5. Construction Essentials

5.1 Storage and Transportation

Avoid sunlight and rain exposure; store off the ground

Use slings or forklifts to prevent tearing

5.2 Key Installation Techniques

Ground Preparation: Level and compact the base, remove sharp objects

Laying Direction: Align geotextile strength with major stress direction

Overlap Width: ≥30cm; stitching recommended in critical areas

Fixing Method: Use U-pins or sandbags; slope surfaces require anti-slip reinforcement

5.3 Seam Treatment

Stitching strength ≥80% of the base material strength

Use compatible materials for thermal bonding or adhesive joining

5.4 Backfill Protection

Backfill in layers; first layer ≤30cm

Avoid direct rolling by heavy equipment on uncovered geotextile

6. Industry Trends and Emerging Technologies

6.1 Eco-Friendly Geotextiles

Use of biodegradable materials (e.g., PLA, natural fibers)

Recycled PET and low-energy manufacturing gaining popularity

6.2 High-Performance Composite Materials

Multi-layer structures: Geotextile + Membrane + Smart Monitoring Sensors

Nano-enhanced materials improve strength and durability

6.3 Digital Procurement Trends

VR/AR factory tours enhance buyer confidence

Blockchain for transparent logistics tracking

Intelligent price comparison platforms save procurement time

GEOSINO Geotextile: Competitive Edge in Global Markets

As China’s manufacturing sector continues to upgrade, our geotextile products are gaining recognition worldwide, offering the following advantages:

Large-scale Production: Capable of fulfilling bulk orders with short lead times

Mature Technology: Full range of processes, including short/long fiber, thermal bonding, and composites

Complete Product Range: Weight from 100g to over 800g, widths from 1 to 6 meters

Customizable: Formulas, sizes, and packaging can be tailored to customer needs

High Cost-Performance Ratio: Better pricing for the same quality; suitable for long-term partnerships

Compliance with International Standards: Most manufacturers support ASTM, ISO, CE, and GB standards for export

Flexible Services: Samples, technical selection support, and one-stop export arrangements available

For foreign trade buyers or overseas project contractors, partnering with reliable Chinese manufacturers ensures product quality, cost control, and responsive service.

Conclusion: The Right Geotextile is the Foundation of Project Success

Although geotextiles are not the structural core of a project, they play a crucial supporting role in ensuring safety, extending service life, and controlling costs. Choosing the right product can yield twice the result with half the effort; a wrong choice can lead to costly consequences.
We encourage all foreign trade buyers and engineering professionals to fully understand project requirements, define clear performance standards, and carefully evaluate supplier qualifications and capabilities to ensure that each batch of geotextile truly adds value to the project.

If you are looking for a reliable geotextile supplier in China, feel free to contact us.
We offer samples, parameter analysis, customized solutions, and export services to support the successful and efficient completion of your project.