Case Study: Degradation of Duracover

Duracover Landscaping fabric

IFG Cresco nv ◆ Weverslaan 15, 9160 Lokeren, Belgium ◆ www.phormium.com

Test field Lokeren, BelgiumIn Lokeren, Belgium a test field was installed in June 2010. Duracover was installed together with a PLA non woven. The degradation was followed over the years. In July 2011, the non woven was in such a bad shape, that it was no longer considered a part of the test. In 2018, Duracover is still perfectly functioning.

Duracover is a PLA fabric

Temperature, humidity and microbial soil activity detemine the degradation process

1. June 2010: moment of installation

3. July 2011: the non woven has completely disappeared. 4 August 2018: Duracover is still in a perfect shape

2. August 2010. The non woven is already degrading

To visualize the degradation of Duracover, a 100% biobased fabric, two field tests were set up: an outdoor field test and a greenhouse test.

Case Study: Degradation of Duracover

Duracover Landscaping fabric

For more technical informationIFG Cresco nv ◆ Weverslaan 15, 9160 Lokeren, Belgium ◆ www.phormium.com

Greenhouse test

To give Duracover the high humidity and high temperature it needs to degrade, a test roll packed in film was put in a green-house. After being exposed to high temperatures and humidity for 2 months, Duracover was degraded to microfragments. Over time, the fabric would continue to compost untill it dissapears.

Duracover was installed in a small greenhouse facility in Lokeren, Belgium. Between the 4th of June and the 7th of August 2018, the tem-perature of the roll was closely monitored (see graph). Temperatures up to 72°C were regis-tered.

The relative humidity was up to 95% since wa-ter was added to evaporate within the packed roll.

DisclaimerAny and all data contained herein can be subject to change without notice and are provided strictly as information only, without charge or obligation and/or withoutany warranty or representation whatsoever, express or implied, as to the suitability for any use, accuracy, reliability or completeness.Because the use of the data can vary and is beyond our control, the recipient shall assume full responsibility of his use and we decline any liability or warranty for damages and/or losses of whatever kind incur-red by whomever in connection with or arising from the use, the result of use or inability to use the data of this document.

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Greenhouse temperature

Degraded Duracover after greenhouse test