Thrace Group

G e o s y n t h e t i c s

GEOSYntHEtIcS

PROFILE
T h r a c e P l a s t i c s G r

Thrace Nonwovens & Geosynthetics falls under the Thrace Plastics group of companies. It was founded in Xanthi, Greece over thirty years ago and has rapidly grown to become one of the leading groups of companies in the geosynthetics industry in the world.

The Group has manufacturing facilities in Greece, the United States of America, the United Kingdom, and Ireland, with distributors in more than 70 countries and about 1.600 employees worldwide. Annually, it converts over 100.000 tons of polymers resulting in a turnover of approximately 230 million Euros per annum.

Thrace Nonwovens & Geosynthetics (Greece), Thrace-LINQ (U.S.A.), Don & Low (Scotland), Synthetic Packaging (Ireland), and Lumite (U.S.A.), are part of the Thrace Group.

Thrace Geosynthetics, Thrace-LINQ, Polybrane, and Lotrak are brand names operating under the Thrace Group umbrella.

Thrace Groups production meets the needs of the geosynthetics market with a wide range of geotextiles (woven, non-woven, knitted, highflow and high strength) and geogrids (uni-axial and bi-axial) using polypropylene (PP), polyester (PET), and polyethylene (PE) polymers. All products come with appropriate certificates for each market and are accredited with the ISO 9001 certification.

Thrace Groups strategy is to sustain its growth through long term client relations and by the implementation of the latest manufacturing technologies.

o u p

P r o f i l e

ProducTioN faciliTies:

Thrace Nonwovens & Geosynthetics (Xanthi, Greece)

Thrace-liNQ (Charleston, South Carolina, USA)

don & low (Forfar, Scotland, United Kingdom)

lumite (Yonah, Georgia, USA)

Greenland

Sweden Iceland Norway Finland R u s s i a

Estonia

Ca n a d a

United Kingdom

Latvia

Denmark Neth.
Bel.

Lithuania

Ireland

Poland
Czech Rep. Slovakia Austria Hungary
Slovenia Croatia Bos. & Herz. Serb. Mont.

Germany
Lux. Switz.

Belarus Ukraine
Mold. Romania Bulgaria Georgia Armenia Azerb.

Kazakhstan Mongolia Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Turkmenistan Tajikistan Iran Iraq

Kuwait Qatar U.A.E.

France United States Portugal Spain

Italy

Albania

FYROM

N.Korea S.Korea Japan

Greece

Turkey
Cyprus Lebanon Israel

Malta Morocco Bahamas

Cuba Belize Jamaica Honduras Guatemala El Salvador Costa Rica Nicaragua Panama Haiti Dom. Rep. Tunisia

Syria
Jordan

C h i n a Afghanistan Nepal Pakistan India

Bhutan Bangladesh

Mexico

Western Sahara
(Occupied by Morocco)

Algeria

Libya

Egypt Saudi Arabia

Mauritania Cape V erde

Trinidad &Tobago Guyana French Guiana
Suriname

Burma

Laos Philippines V ietnam Palau

Senegal Gambia Guinea-Bissau

Mali
Burkina Faso Benin Cote Togo d'Ivoire Ghana

Niger

Oman

Chad Sudan

Eritrea

Y emen Dijbouti

Thailand
Cambodia

V enezuela

Colombia Ecuador Peru

Guinea Sierra Leone Liberia

Nigeria
Cameroon Central African Republic

Ethiopia

Somalia

Sri Lanka

Equatorial Guinea Sao Tome &Principe

Uganda Kenya Congo Rwanda Gabon Dem. Rep. Burundi of Congo

Brunei Malaysia

I n d o n e s i a
East Timor

Br a z i l

Tanzania Angola Zambia

Malawi

Papua New Guinea

Solomon Islands Somoa Fiji Tonga

V anuatu Mauritius Madagascar Au s t r a l i a

Bolivia Chile Paraguay

Namibia

Zimbabwe Botswana

Mozambique

Swaziland Lesotho

South Africa Argentina

Uruguay

New Zealand

Production Facilities Sales Network Presence

Thrace

Polybrane

GEOSYntHEtIcS

IntROductIOn
Thrace Nonwovens & Geosynthetics is a global manufacturer and supplier of Geosynthetics for a wide variety of applications.
Quality products to do the job
At Thrace, we strive for excellence and that shapes every aspect of our procedures, our processes and our people. We consistently produce quality products by continuously conducting thorough quality control testing throughout the entire manufacturing process. This control starts from the raw material stage and is carried out through the extrusion, beaming, weaving, and leading to the final finished product stage. In conjunction with our quality control procedures, we continuously pursue the latest technological manufacturing innovations in order to be able to offer the latest solutions and competitive prices without affecting the final product quality. In addition to quality, we offer a wide range of geosynthetic products thus making us flexible in meeting the needs of any project.

Customized service to do it right

At Thrace, we recognize that personalized customer service can make the difference between success and failure when it comes down to selecting the proper product for the corresponding application. Thraces dedicated staff follows a one to one relationship approach with our clients in order to understand their geosynthetic project needs and provide them with cost effective solutions backed up with technical support. No matter what your Geosynthetics needs are, we can help you get it done right.

Geosynthetics
Nonwovens Wovens Geogrids Asphalt Retention Geobags High Strength & High Water Flow Geotextiles

Excellence, with the service to back it up

At Thrace, Geosynthetics is our main business, and it shows in every roll that we produce.

Geosynthetics
The term Geosynthetics is used to describe a range of polymers used in solving civil engineering problems. It comes from the Greek words geo meaning earth and synthetic meaning man made. Geosynthetics are used in civil, geotechnical, environmental, transportation, hydraulic and other applications including roads, railways, earthworks, foundations, retaining walls, drainage systems, erosion control works, reservoir and dams, canals, tunnels and underground structures, solid waste disposals, liquid waste containment, mining, and landscaping. Numerous natural materials such as wood, cotton, and vegetation mixed with soil have been used for thousands of years to stabilize the sub base of roadways and steep slopes. A key problem with the use of natural materials in a buried environment was the biodegradation that took place due to the presence of microorganisms in the soil. With the discovery of polymers in the middle of the 20th century, a more stable material arose that offered a lifetime resistance to harsh environmental conditions, something that natural materials lacked. Geosynthetics offer many advantages. Since they are manufactured in a factory environment, their quality and consistency is easily controlled. They can be installed rapidly in the field and since they replace soil and other construction materials, they offer project cost savings. Geosynthetics are available worldwide and they consist of eight main categories, namely, geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geomembranes, geosynthetic clay liners, geofoam, geocells, and geocomposites. Geotextiles are textiles consisting of synthetic fibers and come in two types, woven and nonwoven. Geotextiles always perform at least one of five discrete functions: separation, reinforcement, filtration, protection and/or drainage. Geogrids on the other hand are polymers formed into open, grid like configurations that are first punched then stretched in either two directions (biaxial) or in one direction (uniaxial). They have many application areas, but they function almost exclusively as reinforcement materials.

GEOSYntHEtIcS

APPLIcAtIOn
S t a n d a r d s & F u n c t i o n s
Geotextile standards:
The geotextile product standards form a set of eleven standards, each of which specifies the requirements for geotextiles and geotextile-related products that are used in a given application.

EN 13249: roads & other trafficked areas.

EN 13250: railways.

EN 13251: earthworks, foundations & retaining walls.

EN 13252: drainage systems.

EN13253: erosion control works.

EN 13254: reservoirs & dams.

EN 13255: canals.

EN 13256: tunnels & underground structures.

EN 13257: solid waste disposal

EN 13265: liquid waste containment.

EN 15381: asphalt overlays & reinforcement.

Geotextile functions:
Geotextiles that are used in various applications fulfill one or more of the following functions:

Filtration: (F)

Drainage: (D)

Reinforcement: (R)

Separation: (S)

(when used in combination with a geosynthetic barrier)

Protection: (P)

Interlayer Barrier: (B) Stress Relief: (STR)

(in conjuction with a bitumen layer for asphalt reinforcement)

Geotextile functions and their corresponding applications:

Geotextile application correspond to a group combination of functions as shown here:
STANDARD
En 13249 En 13250 En 13251 En 13252 En 13253 En 13254 En 13255 En 13256 En 13257 En 13265 En 15381 Railways Earthworks, Foundation & Retaining Walls Drainage Systems Erosion Control Reservoirs & Dams Canals Tunnels & Underground Structures Solid Waste Disposal Liquid Waste Containment Asphalt Overlays & Pavements X X X X X X

APPLICATION
Roads & Other Trafficked Areas (excluding railways & asphalt inclusion)

F
X X X X X X X

R
X X X

S
X X X X X X X

P
X X X X X

STR

X X X X

NOTE: The function Separation is never specified alone and hence shall only be used in combination with other functions (Filtration, Reinforcement) with regard to testing and to attestation of conformity.

Quality control
Quality Control
Our Geosynthetics are manufactured under a quality management system which is certified in accordance with the most comprehensive standards set by the International Organization for Standardization; namely ISO 9001:2008. This has been implemented throughout the business to give our clients greater reliability and improved product quality.
0338-CPD-392
Attestation of conformity according to the EU Construction Product Directive

cERtIFIcAtIOn SERVIcES
Notified Body

NorGeoSpec

Accreditation
Thraces Geosynthetics are CE marked to demonstrate conformity to the Construction Products Directive (CPD 89/106/EEC). The CE marking also indicates the stringent testing and certification of Factory Production Control (FPC) that Thrace Nonwoven & Geosynthetics has gone through to meet the highest European Standards.
Reg. No: 01010018

ISO 9001:2008

The Laboratories
Thraces Geosynthetics are tested at modern in house laboratories as well as at wellknown European Institutes. This allows us to continuously assure the efficiency of our services and measurements. Our geosynthetics are carefully monitored from the raw material stage to the final product stage by qualified and experienced personnel in accordance with the European (EN), American (ASTM), Australian (AS), British (BS), and International (ISO) standards.

E.A.G.M.
MEMBER

05

GEOSYntHEtIcS

GEOGRId
G e o s y n t h e t i c s

Thrace Nonwovens & Geosynthetics manufactures two types of extruded Geogrids; the Biaxial and Uniaxial series. Due to their structural tensile strength, Geogrids fulfill a reinforcing function in the ground structure of cohesive, noncohesive, and coarse grained soils. Geogrids when combined with other geosynthetics can be used for asphalt overlay, waterproofing, separation and stabilization. Geogrids can also be used to construct mattresses to be placed on soft soils.

BIAXIAL Geogrids
Thraces biaxial geogrids are manufactured from polypropylene (PP) sheets using the extrusion method of punching a pattern of holes, followed by stretching under controlled temperature in both directions in order to increase the materials tensile characteristics. The apertures of the biaxial geogrids aid in aggregate interlock thus allowing for effective reinforcement and soil confinement. The purpose of this geogrid system is both to decrease the fill material thickness and to increase the bearing capacity of the underlying soil material. The use of biaxial geogrids also offers time savings due to its ease of installation and cost savings resulting from the reduction in the required fill material.

UNIAXIAL Geogrids
Thraces uniaxial geogrids are manufactured from high density polyethylene (HDPE) sheets using the extrusion method of punching a precise pattern of holes, followed by stretching under controlled temperature in the longitudinal direction in order to increase the materials tensile strength and stiffness. The main characteristics of Thraces uniaxial geogrids are high strength and low creep. They are used mainly in applications were the load is expected to act in one main direction of the material. It is therefore suitable for reinforcing walls, slopes, abutments, and earth embankments under long term high loading. Reinforcement
The good tensile mechanical properties of Thraces geogrids in conjunction with the soils good compressive but poor tensile properties improve the total systems strength interaction. The high strength and low elongation of the geogrids are ideal for reinforcing sub grades of roads and railroads, as well as slopes of embankments and retaining walls.

GEOSYntHEtIcS

nOnWOVEn
G e o s y n t h e t i c s

Thraces Nonwoven geotextiles are produced on both sides of the Atlantic with the latest state-of-theart fiber extruders and needle punching lines. The vertical integrated production not only guarantees quality consistency, but allows us to provide lead times that satisfy our customers needs. The main difference between nonwoven geotextiles and woven geotextiles is that nonwoven geotextiles are more likely to stretch under the same conditions and have the ability to let water flow along the plane of the geotextile more effectively.

10

Reinforcement
The good tensile mechanical properties of Thraces geotextiles in conjunction with the soils good compressive but poor tensile properties improve the total systems strength interaction. The high strength and low elongation of the geotextiles are ideal for reinforcing embankments of roads, slopes, and retaining walls.

Separation
The placement of Thraces flexible and porous geotextile between dissimilar earth materials allows for the integrity and functioning of both materials so that they can be improved or remain intact.

Filtration
Thraces nonwoven geotextiles work in equilibrium with the soil to allow for adequate liquid flow with limited soil loss across the plane of the geo textile while avoiding pore clogging.

Drainage
The equilibrium between the soil-to-Thraces geotextile system allows for adequate liquid flow while maintaining limited soil loss within the plane of the geotextile. The hydraulic properties of the geotextile are suitable to establish structural stability by controlling excess amounts of water during and after construction.

Protection
Thraces nonwoven geotextiles offer perfect damage protection to geomembranes and other coated materials that may occur from contact with sharp soil surfaces such as stones or sub grade unevenness. The geotextiles thickness and mass are directly proportional to the amount of protection that they can offer.

Erosion Control
Thraces nonwoven geotextiles can be used independently or in conjunction with Thraces woven geotextiles for creating geobags that can be utilized for erosion control of slopes, shoreline protection, and at river bank flood control.

GEOSYntHEtIcS

WOVEn
G e o s y n t h e t i c s

Thrace is one of the largest woven geotextile manufacturers worldwide. Woven Geotextiles are produced in our facilities in Greece and Scotland. When compared to nonwoven geotextiles, woven geotextiles provide higher tensile strength and CBR puncture resistance for the same mass per unit area. Weave patterns come in a virtually unlimited variety which in turn affect certain properties of the woven geotextile fabric. However, woven geotextiles are not specified by weave patterns but by properties such as porosity, strength, and elongation. In general, woven geotextiles are less likely to stretch under the same load conditions and do not let water flow as freely as nonwoven geotextiles.

12

Reinforcement
The good tensile mechanical properties of Thraces geotextiles in conjunction with the soils good compressive but poor tensile properties improve the total systems strength interaction. The high strength and low elongation of the geotextiles are ideal for reinforcing embankments of roads, slopes, and retaining walls.

Separation
The placement of Thraces flexible and porous geotextile between dissimilar earth materials allows for the integrity and functioning of both materials so that they can be improved or remain intact.

Filtration
Thraces woven geotextiles work in equilibrium with the soil to allow for adequate liquid flow with limited soil loss across the plane of the geotextile while avoiding pore clogging.

Drainage
The equilibrium between the soil-to-Thraces geotextile system allows for adequate liquid flow while maintaining limited soil loss within the plane of the geotextile. The hydraulic properties of the geotextile are suitable to establish structural stability by controlling excess amounts of water during and after construction.

Erosion Control
Thraces woven geotextiles can be used independently or in conjunction with Thraces nonwoven geotextiles for creating geobags that can be utilized for erosion control of slopes, shoreline protection, and for river bank flood control.

GEOSYntHEtIcS

EnHAncEd
G e o s y n t h e t i c s

Geobags

Thrace Nonwovens & Geosynthetics manufactures high quality, custom made, and long lasting geobags for the following applications:

Erosion Control Flood Control & Protection Embankment Reinforcement Coastal & Riverbank Protection

High Strength & High Water Flow

Monofilament Multifilament Tapes 3 Dimensional Polyester Polypropylene HDPE LLDPE
Erosion Control Waste Management Embankment Reinforcement Water Management

14

ASPHALt REtEntIOn
G e o s y n t h e t i c s

Thraces nonwoven needle punched geotextile Asphalt Retention series (AR) is made of 100% polypropylene fibers with optimum bitumen retention capacity characteristics. It is mainly used in asphalt overlay applications, where it acts as a moisture barrier and functions by delaying the formation of reflective cracking by performing three main functions, namely, sealing, bonding between layers, and stress relief.

Sealing
The bitumen retention capacity of the geotextile prevents the passage of oxygen into the pavement structure by forming an air impermeable seal.

Bonding
The geotextile acts as a bonding surface for both the old road surface and the new asphalt overlay.

Stress Relief
Using Thraces asphaltic retention geotextile allows for the delayed progress of differential stresses between the new asphaltic overlay and the old road surface. This translates to a reduction of reflective cracking and crack propagation between old and new road surfaces.

GEOSYntHEtIcS

Thrace Group
20, Marinou Antipa str. GR - 174 55 Alimos, Athens - Greece Tel.: +30 210 9875 000, Fax: +30 210 9875 040 www.thraceplastics.com e-mail: geo@thraceplastics.gr

HEAD OFFICE:

Thrace-LINQ, Inc. 2550 West Fifth North St. Summerville SC 29483, U.S.A. Tel. +1 843 873 5800 Fax: +1 843 875 8276 e-mail: geo@thracelinq.com www.thracelinq.com

Don & Low Ltd Newfordpark House Glamis Road, Forfar Angus, DD8 1FR Scotland, United Kingdom Tel: +44 1307 452200 Fax: +44 1307 452300 www.lotrak.com

Synthetic Packaging Clara, County Offaly Ireland Telephone: +353 57 9331282 Telefax: +353 57 9331224 e-mail: sales@syntheticpackaging.com www.syntheticpackaging.com

ARTWORK & PRINTING: www.nikolaouarts.gr