Environmental engineering

Environmental engineering is the term used to describe technical and technological processes that aim to minimise environmental impacts and pollution or to restore already damaged ecosystems. Environmental engineering includes waste disposal, the maintenance of waste and rubble landfill sites and waste incineration plants, and the purification of waste water or contaminated water. Technical measures for the protection of water bodies, for noise and radiation protection, and for recording and monitoring pollutants and environmental damage also come under the heading of environmental engineering. The use of renewable energy, such as solar, geothermal and biomass energy, is also an aspect of environmental engineering.

Geosynthetics such as non-wovens, woven geotextiles, erosion control mats, geosynthetic clay liners, polymeric geomembranes, drainage grids, drainage mats and geogrids are often used in environmental engineering as part of innovative sealing and drainage systems. The most important field of application is the sealing and rehabilitation of landfill sites and contaminated areas. This is because landfills, contaminated former industrial sites and contaminated soils need to be contained in such a way that they cannot contaminate the environment or groundwater.

Geosynthetics perform various tasks in this context: They seal, drain, filter, protect and reinforce, and separate individual layers of soil. The products used for these purposes have to meet special and more stringent requirements in terms of functionality and durability than products used in other construction sectors.