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Biodegradable Erosion Control: Mats, Netting & Blankets Guide
Biodegradable Erosion Control: Mats, Netting & Blankets Guide
A complete guide to biodegradable erosion control products — what they are, how they work, and when fully bio-based options like Curlex NetFree are required.
Table of Contents
What Is Biodegradable Erosion Control?
Biodegradable erosion control refers to erosion control products made from natural materials that decompose through biological processes after installation. These products protect bare soil during the vegetation establishment phase, then break down naturally — adding organic matter to the soil without requiring mechanical removal.
The term encompasses biodegradable erosion control mats, blankets, and netting products. The most common biodegradable ECB materials are wood fiber (excelsior), straw, and coir (coconut fiber). Netting may be synthetic polypropylene (non-biodegradable) or biodegradable depending on the product specification.
Biodegradable Materials Used in ECBs
Wood Fiber (Excelsior)
Curlex ECBs use Great Lakes Aspen wood fiber — a crimped, interlocked fiber that provides superior moisture retention and consistent mat structure. Wood fiber ECBs have a design life of 1 to 3 years, timed to match most grass establishment timelines. As the fiber decomposes, it improves soil organic matter content.
Straw
Wheat or rice straw fiber is used in traditional straw erosion control blankets. Straw has a shorter design life (6 to 18 months) than wood fiber and less consistent moisture retention. It is appropriate for mild slopes and shorter-term applications.
Coir (Coconut Fiber)
Coir fiber from coconut husks provides a longer design life (2 to 5 years) than wood fiber or straw. The dense fiber is highly resistant to decomposition, making it suitable for waterway applications where longer establishment periods are expected.
Biodegradable Erosion Control Netting
Standard ECBs use polypropylene netting — a synthetic plastic that does not biodegrade. While the fiber in these products is biodegradable, the netting persists in the soil indefinitely after the fiber decomposes.
Biodegradable erosion control netting is made from natural materials that decompose along with the ECB fiber, leaving no synthetic residue after decomposition. This creates a cleaner end-of-life profile than standard polypropylene-netted products.
Why it matters: For projects in environmentally sensitive areas, near waterways, or with specifications requiring fully biodegradable content, biodegradable netting is essential. It also eliminates wildlife entanglement risks associated with polypropylene netting.
Curlex I FiberNet — Biodegradable Netting
Curlex I FiberNet uses the same Great Lakes Aspen wood fiber as standard Curlex, combined with biodegradable netting. Both components decompose naturally, leaving no polypropylene netting behind — making it a cleaner option than standard Curlex I for environmentally sensitive sites.
100% Biodegradable ECB Options
Of the Curlex product line, only one option is fully and 100% biodegradable with no synthetic components of any kind:
- Curlex NetFree: Wood fiber only — no netting of any kind. 100% natural with zero synthetic material. The only Curlex product that is fully biodegradable. Designed for the most environmentally sensitive applications where no synthetic residue is acceptable.
Benefits and Compliance Uses
- No removal required: Decompose in place, eliminating removal cost and labor.
- Soil improvement: Natural fiber adds organic matter as it decomposes.
- Environmental compliance: Accepted BMPs under most stormwater permits.
- Wildlife safety: Biodegradable or net-free options eliminate entanglement risks associated with polypropylene netting.
- Specification compliance: Some DOT and environmental project specs require 100% biodegradable content — Curlex NetFree meets this requirement. Curlex FiberNet meets specs requiring no polypropylene netting without a full 100% biodegradable designation.
Shop Biodegradable ECBs
Curlex I FiberNet — 8' x 101.25'
Wood fiber ECB with biodegradable netting — no polypropylene residue. For sites requiring an alternative to standard polypropylene-netted ECBs.
Shop FiberNet
Curlex I — 8' x 112.5'
Standard wood fiber ECB with polypropylene netting. Biodegradable fiber; netting persists in soil after fiber decomposes.
Shop Curlex I
Curlex II — 8' x 112.5'
Double-net wood fiber ECB for steep slopes. Polypropylene netting; biodegradable fiber.
Shop Curlex IIBrowse the full erosion control blanket collection →
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Use Our Erosion Control Product Finder →Frequently Asked Questions
What are biodegradable erosion control products?
Mats, blankets, and netting made from natural materials that decompose naturally. They protect soil during vegetation establishment and then break down, adding organic matter to the soil.
What is a biodegradable erosion control mat?
A rolled natural fiber mat (wood excelsior, straw, or coir) that protects bare soil during vegetation establishment and decomposes naturally. Curlex ECBs are a leading example.
What is biodegradable erosion control netting?
Netting made from natural (non-synthetic) materials that decomposes along with the ECB fiber, leaving no polypropylene residue. Curlex I FiberNet uses biodegradable netting. For a product with no netting at all, Curlex NetFree is the fully natural option.
How long does biodegradable erosion control last?
Curlex wood fiber ECBs: 1–3 years. Straw: 6–18 months. Coir: 2–5 years. All decompose naturally after vegetation establishes.
What is the difference between Curlex I and Curlex I FiberNet?
Curlex I uses polypropylene (synthetic) netting that persists in the soil after the fiber decomposes. Curlex I FiberNet uses biodegradable netting, so no synthetic netting remains after decomposition. Neither is classified as 100% biodegradable — that designation applies only to Curlex NetFree, which contains no netting of any kind.
Which Curlex product is 100% biodegradable?
Curlex NetFree is the only 100% biodegradable Curlex product. It contains wood fiber only — no netting of any kind — making it fully natural with zero synthetic material. It is the correct choice for projects requiring certified 100% biodegradable ECB content.
When is biodegradable erosion control required?
Some DOT, EPA, and environmental project specs require 100% biodegradable content — Curlex NetFree meets this requirement. Biodegradable and net-free products are also preferred for wildlife-sensitive areas and environmentally sensitive sites where polypropylene netting entanglement is a concern.