Slope erosion control describes the process of preventing or limiting the displacement of soil particles on exposed embankments, cuttings and slope faces. Unprotected slopes lose topsoil rapidly under rainfall, wind and surface run-off. Secumat® geomats and geocells as systems provide a proven, permanent solution for slopes of all inclinations and substrate types.
Secumat® solutions are deployed wherever exposed slopes must be protected quickly, permanently and cost-effectively.
Protecting newly formed slopes exposed to high rainfall intensity and traffic-induced vibration
Long-term erosion control for steep side embankments on active lines and new-build projects
Slope surface protection against wave wash, overtopping events and saturation allowing through-drainage and vegetation growth
Erosion resistance and vegetation establishment for slopes on capped landfills and on mining facilities
Slope erosion control success depends not only on product performance but on consistent, reliable installation across large areas. Secumat geomats are designed for efficient field installation without specialist equipment, even on steep and irregular slopes.
The specification of Secumat® erosion control systems for slopes and embankments is based on recognised design standards and hydraulic or geotechnical analysis. Naue provides engineering support for project-specific design and product selection in the Naue Portal and by personal advice.
Practical advantages:
Naue Secumat® geomats reduce the impact force of precipitation on the soil surface and help improve infiltration into the soil profile. Selecting the correct Secumat® systems requires understanding the dominant erosion mechanism. The four principal types of surface erosion require different responses:
Sheet erosion
Rill erosion
Tunnel erosion
Deflation (wind)
The correct product choice depends on slope inclination, erosion type, vegetation strategy and project timescale. Use the Naue SolutionFinder or table below to identify the most appropriate Secumat® system.
| Criterion | Secumat® 3D Mesh | Secumat® Geocells | Secumat® Green (natural fibre) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slope inclination | Up to 45 degrees; standard applications | Steep slopes and granular material | Gentle to moderate slopes; up to approx. 30 degrees |
| Erosion type | Sheet, rill and tunnel erosion | Sheet and rill erosion; high surface energy | Surface erosion; temporary protection during vegetation establishment |
| Vegetation establishment | Supports rapid vegetation through soil retention in 3D matrix | Provides sheltered pockets for root establishment | Organic material supports germination; the natural fibre breaks down in the soil over time |
| Durability requirement | Permanent, UV-stabilised polymer solution | Permanent, rigid cell structure | Temporary to semi-permanent; the natural fibre breaks down in the soil over time as vegetation establishes |
| Additional reinforcement | Available with integrated Secugrid® geogrid option | HDPE cell structure with tested wall strength | Overall slope stability must be verified separately |
| Typical products | Secumat® 401 G4 / Eco 601 G4 / 601 40/40 Q6 / 401 20/20 Q1 / 401 20/20 Q1 131 C | Secumat® Cell 100 or 150 | Secumat® Green nets/mats/rolls |
| Recommended application | Permanent protection on road, rail, landfill slopes | Very steep cut slopes, dyke faces, mine waste slopes | Post-seeding cover; landscaping; low-energy erosion zones |
Immediate surface protection
Secumat® provides surface protection from the moment of installation. Unlike vegetation alone, the mat structure is immediately functional. This is critical during the construction phase, when slopes are most vulnerable to erosion events.
Permanent solution
Secumat® 3D Mesh and geocell systems are UV-stabilised and designed for a minimum service life matching the structure. The open structure supports root penetration, topsoil retention and habitat creation.
Simple installation
Secumat® rolls are lightweight and can be installed by hand on the slope face. No cranes or specialist machinery are required. The product can be cut on site to fit any slope geometry. This reduces labour cost and programme risk.
Regulatory compliance
Secumat® systems are designed and specified in accordance with norm DIN EN ISO 10318 (geosynthetic functions) and relevant national design standards. Documentation is available from Naue on request.
Slope erosion control describes the use of engineered systems to prevent or limit the displacement of soil particles on exposed slope faces. It is required wherever earthworks, cuttings, embankments or levee/dyke faces are exposed to rainfall, wind or surface run-off before a permanent vegetation cover is established. It is also specified permanently on slopes where vegetation alone cannot provide sufficient protection.
The choice of an erosion control system depends on slope inclination, dominant erosion mechanism and the required service life. Secumat® 3D Mesh is the standard solution for permanent protection on slopes up to 45 degrees. Secumat® Geocells are preferred on steep faces with high erosion energy. Secumat® Green natural fibre products are used for temporary cover and rapid vegetation support. See the decision table above, use the Naue SolutionFinder or contact the Naue team for selection support.
Secumat® erosion control products from Naue are designed in accordance with DIN EN ISO 10318 (terminology and functions of geosynthetics). Design of erosion control systems follows EBGEO guidance (Germany) and relevant national standards. The digital erosion control calculator available to you for design work in the Naue Portal takes the relevant standards and regulations into account.
Geosynthetic erosion control systems are typically less expensive per m² than concrete revetment, stone pitching or gabion walls. They also reduce installation time, require no specialist plant and avoid the transport and handling associated with heavy hard materials.
Naue Secumat® mats are unrolled top-down on the prepared slope face. The mat is secured using U-shaped steel pins (23cm) or wooden stakes (30cm) at spacing defined in the installation instructions. Overlaps of min. 100mm are required between adjacent sheets. No specialist plant is needed. The full installation guide is available upon request.
Yes. Secumat® 3D Mesh and geocell systems are manufactured from UV-stabilised polymers and have a long track record in ground-contact erosion control applications. They are designed for a long, permanent service life and remain functional through repeated wet and dry seasonal cycles. Secumat® Green Coco and Jute products are, by contrast, designed as temporary to semi-permanent solutions that support vegetation establishment.
Yes. The Secumat® system has a long, proven track record in projects worldwide, including road and motorway embankments, railway cuttings, flood protection dikes and landfill slopes. Reference projects are available on this page.
Secumat® addresses surface erosion, not deep-seated slope instability. For slopes requiring both surface erosion control and geotechnical reinforcement, Secumat® 601 40/40 Q6 combines a 3D erosion control mat with an integrated Secugrid® biaxial geogrid in a single product layer. For slopes with critical stability requirements, Naue Engineering provides full geotechnical design support including limit equilibrium analysis per Eurocode 7 and EBGEO.
An anchor trench at the slope crest is essential to prevent upward sliding of the erosion mat under hydraulic loading or gravity. The trench is typically 300–500mm deep and 300mm wide, with the mat folded into the trench and backfilled with compacted material. Anchor trench dimensions are specified in the Naue installation guidelines and vary by slope gradient and product weight. Naue engineering support can confirm design details for site-specific conditions.
Naue Secumat® is an erosion control mat for the protection of slopes, channels and embankments.
Naue Secumat® Cell erosion control geocell provides permanent slope protection for earthworks, infrastructure and landfill construction
Secumat® Green is a biobased, extruded three-dimensional erosion control mat (random-laid 3D mesh) for temporary slope, facing and bank protection.
Secumat® Green Coco coir erosion control is a biodegradable* slope protection, trench and brook lining and renaturation.
Secumat® Green Jute N is a biodegradable* jute erosion control mat for temporary slope protection and revegetation support.
