Question 1

What is an aquatextile?

Accepted Answer

An aquatextile is a technical textile designed to treat polluted rainwater. OSMORIA™ Geoclean® and OSMORIA Indigreen® aquatextiles are specialized in removing pollutants, such as hydrocarbons and PAHs, from stormwater. These maintenance-free textiles capture and bind hydrocarbons while releasing a natural active substance that enhances the soil's self-purifying capacity. 
 
A complementary solution for stormwater infiltration systems:

Aquatextiles work alongside stormwater infiltration structures, ensuring that only clean water infiltrates the ground, thereby preventing soil and aquifer contamination. They can also replace or supplement a hydrocarbon separator in a project.

Question 2

What’s the difference between a depolluting aquatextile and a depolluting geotextile?

Accepted Answer

Depolluting geotextile:

A geotextile creates a permeable barrier between natural soil and granular materials used in structures or pavements. It allows water to pass through while preventing soil particles from migrating and altering the structure. Geotextiles can also protect, drain, or reinforce soil.

Anti-contaminant geotextiles:
   
Though the term "anti-contaminant geotextile" has been largely replaced by "separation geotextile," it still refers to the textile's ability to prevent contamination between different soil layers.

Depolluting aquatextile: 
 
An aquatextile focuses on treating the quality of runoff that infiltrates the ground. It not only filters pollutants but also enhances the soil's ability to biodegrade hydrocarbons, thereby preventing pollution and protecting soil biodiversity. 
 
Unlike geotextiles, aquatextiles are designed to actively fix and biodegrade pollutants, offering a more comprehensive solution for stormwater management.

Special advantages of OSMORIA Indigreen:
   
OSMORIA Indigreen aquatextile is specifically designed for use under parking spaces and permeable pavements. Its tensile strength (20 kN/m [NF EN ISO 10319]) meets the needs of these structures, making the use of a separate geotextile unnecessary in this application.

Question 3

What pollutants are treated by OSMORIA Geoclean and OSMORIA Indigreen aquatextiles?

Accepted Answer

Organic micropollutants:

OSMORIA aquatextiles are engineered to permanently eliminate C10-C40 hydrocarbon pollution, including certain PAHs, from runoff water.

Other hydrocarbons:

Aquatextiles can also treat other micropollutants with similar physico-chemical properties to hydrocarbons. For a specific study, please contact us.

Question 4

What organizations have validated the performance of aquatextiles?

Accepted Answer

Independent external laboratories:

The performance of OSMORIA aquatextiles in durability, permeability, and biodegradation of hydrocarbons has been validated by independent laboratories, including Cerema, Leesu, and KIWA in Europe. Solmax France SAS is certified under ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), and ISO 45001 (Safety).

Field validation:

Over 1,000 projects across Europe have utilized OSMORIA Geoclean and OSMORIA Indigreen aquatextiles, with some receiving validation from water authorities and regional public health agencies.

Question 5

Is it economical to use OSMORIA aquatextiles in an infiltration structure?

Accepted Answer

Stormwater management:

As stormwater management networks age and become saturated, new developments or maintenance can be costly. Incorporating OSMORIA depolluting aquatextiles with infiltration at the source can reduce overall stormwater management costs.

High performance at a single cost:

OSMORIA aquatextiles, with a residual hydrocarbon content of less than 1 mg/l, offer a high-performance solution with the only cost being installation.

OSMORIA Indigreen for specific applications:

OSMORIA Indigreen aquatextile is designed for installation under parking spaces and permeable pavements. Its high tensile strength (20 kN/m) makes the use of additional geotextiles unnecessary.

Cost per parking space:

Using OSMORIA Indigreen to depollute rainwater during infiltration costs €2 per parking space per year.

Question 6

What benefits do aquatextiles offer for the soil?

Accepted Answer

Natural soil varies widely in structure and composition, which affects its ability to retain and bind pollutants. Factors such as particle size, permeability, organic content, pH, and more play a role in soil’s capacity to manage pollutants.

Enhanced soil performance:

OSMORIA aquatextiles outperform natural soil by offering consistent hydrocarbon fixation and biodegradation across their entire surface. They systematically accelerate the breakdown of organic micropollutants and regulate humidity during dry periods, essential for supporting microbial activity.

Protection and biodiversity:

Aquatextiles protect deeper soil layers and help preserve soil biodiversity, which is vital for protecting shallow water tables. They also provide additional protection in the event of small spills, such as minor vehicle accidents.

Question 7

Does the effectiveness of OSMORIA aquatextiles last?

Accepted Answer

Durability beyond the structure’s life:

OSMORIA Geoclean and OSMORIA Indigreen aquatextiles are built to last, with a stable polymer matrix that remains inert in natural soil for over 100 years (per NF EN ISO 13438). This ensures their ability to trap hydrocarbons and PAHs long-term.

Endless biodegradation:

Biodegradation occurs naturally through site-specific microorganisms that colonize the aquatextile. These microorganisms renew naturally, and the nutrients provided by the aquatextile support this ongoing process.

Question 8

Is there a risk of clogging or saturation?

Accepted Answer

Hydrocarbon clogging risk:

There’s no risk of clogging by hydrocarbons as long as the input remains within the aquatextile’s capacity, which accommodates both chronic inputs and small accidental spills. Hydrocarbons are adsorbed onto the aquatextile’s oleophilic filaments, leaving its high porosity (> 85%) free for water or air circulation.

Self-cleaning mechanism:

The biodegradation of fixed hydrocarbons continually regenerates the aquatextile’s fixing surfaces, making it a self-cleaning, maintenance-free solution.

Handling major spills:
 
In the event of a major spill, the aquatextile’s porosity may become saturated. In such cases, OSMORIA aquatextiles slow the spread of hydrocarbons until emergency services can respond. Saturated sections may need to be replaced after cleaning the affected area.

Question 9

Is there a risk of damaging the aquatextile during installation?

Accepted Answer

Installation resistance: 
  
OSMORIA aquatextiles are highly resistant to installation damage, with tensile strengths ranging from 20 kN/m to 30 kN/m [NF EN ISO 10319], depending on the product. They can be safely used in all standard rainwater infiltration structures, including under permeable pavements, when the material in contact with the aquatextile has a grain size of less than 40 mm.

Installation guidelines:
   
Refer to Solmax’s specific installation recommendations for proper guidance. Backfilling on aquatextiles must be done carefully, and machine traffic directly on the aquatextile is not permitted.

Question 10

Can aquatextiles be recycled at end-of-life?

Accepted Answer

Long-lasting solution:

OSMORIA aquatextiles are designed to last over 100 years, matching the lifespan of the infiltration structures they protect. These self-cleaning, maintenance-free textiles rarely require replacement. If removal becomes necessary, recycling options include material recycling (after removing dust and soil particles) or energy recovery, which emits no toxic substances.

Question 11

Can I receive support for my project?

Accepted Answer

Dedicated business engineers:
   
At Solmax, our team of business engineers is ready to assist with your stormwater management projects. To find out who covers your area, please visit our contact page.

Technical support:
  
For specific technical questions or project design assistance, you can reach out to our technical and innovation team for expert guidance.

Question 12

Where can I find OSMORIA aquatextiles?

Accepted Answer

In France:

OSMORIA aquatextiles are available through various public works material distributors across France. We can deliver rolls to the point of sale or directly to your worksite.

In other countries:
 
Please contact us to discuss the best way to supply aquatextiles to your location.

Frequently asked questions

introducing OSMORIA:
the smart aquatextile

Have questions? Get in touch

Frequently asked questions

introducing OSMORIA: the smart aquatextile

Have questions? Get in touch

introducing OSMORIA:
the smart aquatextile