Ever wondered what it take to build erosion control netting that performs in the toughest conditions? We sat down with one of our industry experts to discuss our innovative approach to netting solutions.
Bryan provides insights into the development of products that combine durability with environmental sustainability and to design solutions that meet the growing demand for degradable materials.
Q: Can you start by telling us a bit about your professional journey so far? We’d love to hear about your background and what led you to become an expert in your field.
I’ve been selling extruded/oriented netting since 1989. My main focus has been in erosion control, agriculture and construction markets primarily covering the United States. I grew up on a farm and with a degree in agriculture, I’ve enjoyed being around the industry for most of my career.
Q: How would you describe the development process and collaboration in a new project? What points are particularly important to you?
Typically, a customer has a need to solve/improve a project they are working on. It can be as simple as a change in measurements of a roll to more complex issues regarding characteristics of the netting which could include resin, mesh size, tensile strength, degradability and much more.
We typically get our engineering team and marketing team involved as well as the specific plant that will run trials and it’s my job to coordinate between the various members and be the conduit with our customers.
Some projects can be done very quickly with in matter of weeks of months to projects that can take several years to complete. It’s very rewarding to meet a customer’s needs and help them grow their business.
Q: Nettings used in erosion control must be very durable and resistant to various environmental influences. What criteria stand out for netting in this context? How do you recognize a high-quality net?
Nettings actually are designed for both their longevity and strength as well as their ability to degrade very quickly. We build products across the spectrum considering what the specific purpose of the product is required to do. We have a wide spectrum of products and continue to expand upon our portfolio of erosion control offerings.
Q: What do you see as the biggest challenges with regards to the development of erosion control netting? Are there any trends in this market you observed?
The erosion control industry is evolving and as with many industries requiring more sustainable materials. Though on certain applications strength and minimum longevity is required, in the temporary application of an erosion control product the need to degrade is seen as an important quality.
Our company continues to strive toward environmentally friendly products to meet this growing demand with post-consumer-recycled as well as compostable products that meet the specific engineering requirements for the job.
Q: What recent innovations at Conwed excite you the most?
With the merger of Conwed into the larger company Mativ it has afforded many additional resources to help customers with their needs. It is amazing how many different types of technologies are now under one roof and having access to these resources will undoubtedly help the erosion control industry and our customers.
Click here to learn more about our compostable netting.
For more information about our erosion control netting, click here.