Press

31 Mar. 2011

Fibermesh® Introduces a Groundbreaking Innovation for Pervious Concrete: PERC™ Pervious Infiltration Fabric Is In a Class of Its Own

Concrete Solutions

Chattanooga, TN (March 22, 2011) – Tennessee-based Propex Operating Co. announced today the introduction of a completely new class of pervious concrete infiltration fabric. PERC™ is specifically designed to assist in the effectiveness of pervious concrete applications with enhanced water flow properties and permeability, but with low pore size to trap soil. Propex is the worldwide leader and manufacturer of well-known Fibermesh® Concrete Solutions and other fiber reinforced concrete products.

Made from 100% recycled PET from soda bottles, PERC’s smaller pores restrict dirt and particulates from contributing to clogs, which reduces maintenance in storm drains. It also resolves the confusion over which fabric to use for pervious concrete applications and where to buy it. Contractors can order it right from their ready mix supplier and have it delivered to the site with their concrete order.

According to Ralph Bruno, Propex’s VP Global Sales & Marketing, PERC is a major industry advancement for pervious concrete that defines a new class of infiltration material. “PERC is the solution that industry professionals have been waiting for,” he said. “This is a fabric that is engineered to fit this application with the highest levels of infiltration and the ability to help reduce storm water runoff,” said Bruno. “Essentially, it re-directs water back into aquifers rather than into storm drains.”
Bruno added that many municipalities have strict regulations in place for storm water runoff and a more effective overall pervious system will help them meet these regulations. PERC also contributes to LEED points for storm water management systems.

Propex, a worldwide leader in the production of geotextiles, developed the PERC Infiltration Fabric specifically for use in Pervious Concrete. The PERC infiltration fabric is manufactured in Ringgold, GA, at Propex’s nonwoven facility. This plant is the largest of its kind, worldwide, to be housed under one roof.

Most contractors are aware that some sort of fabric is needed to maintain separation between the softer, less compacted soil base and stone filter layer. Now, PERC is specially designed to do this with the highest water flow rates to maintain the infiltration required of the system.

It also has tremendous growth implications for the industry. “This fabric will greatly enhance performance for pervious concrete systems in paving installations,” said Dale Fisher, Executive Director, National Pervious Concrete Pavement Association (NPCPA). “There have been attempts to use aggregate gradation to maintain structural integrity of the system, which is easy enough to design but impossible to construct.” Fisher noted that PERC is engineered to maintain separation between the base and sub-base, providing structural support to the pavement, while allowing storm water to infiltrate freely into underlying soils.

As Fisher explains, use of this product can help increase the market for pervious concrete in areas with soils that infiltrate less than a half inch per hour. “When PERC is used on an impermeable sub-base, it mimics the microbial activity found in soils and contributes to improved water quality,” he said.

Bruno further points to the advantages to the environment of using a product with 100% post consumer recycled content. Each roll of PERC uses 2,665 20-ounce plastic soda bottles or the equivalent of 3,350 half-liter bottles. “We feel good about that as a company and feel that contractors, architects and property owners will, too,” he said Bruno added that the company is dedicated to using more recycled materials and is pleased to report that Propex has reduced overall energy consumption by 18 % this year.

As the market for pervious materials continues to grow in leaps and bounds over the next five years, PERC will contribute to the integrity of the placed concrete. Contractors will benefit from a product that is easy to use and easy to buy, with reduced callbacks. Site preparation pros and property owners will enjoy peace of mind and the overall long-term performance of their pervious concrete installation as well as comply with municipal runoff requirements while helping their communities improve water quality.

For more information about PERC Pervious Concrete Infiltration Fabric, visit fibermesh.com/perc or call 1-888-437-3423.

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