A
new membrane developed by global science and engineering firm DuPont, Plantex
Platinium, has been found to be successful in containing Japanese knotweed,
following field trials carried out by Japanese knotweed removal specialists
Environet.
Where
the removal of Japanese knotweed through physical excavation is the preferred
solution, horizontal membranes laid beneath the surface of the ground can be
useful in locations where it is not possible to remove or kill all the knotweed
crowns and rhizomes.
This
could be, for example, where underground services such as drainage and sewerage
are present, where the land cannot be disturbed as a result of a tree
preservation order, or where the costs are prohibitive.
Existing
membranes that are effective at dealing with Japanese knotweed are usually
impermeable to water, which, when installed horizontally over large areas, can
create problems with drainage leading to flooding and ground instability.
Leaders
in membrane innovation, DuPont approached Environet in 2017 with Plantex
Platinium, a new permeable membrane designed to control Japanese knotweed
without the associated drainage issues.
Environet
conducted field trials over the 2017 growing season (March to November) at
their Japanese knotweed infested test site in West Sussex. To put the product
under extreme test conditions, no attempt was made to remove any of the crowns
or rhizomes prior to the installation of a 10m x 5m sheet of Plantex Platinium.
The membrane was then covered with a minimum of 100mm clean topsoil and
monitored throughout the season for knotweed growth.
No
emergence was observed during the monitoring period, however, new growth was
encountered around the periphery and was evident running horizontally beneath
the membrane when it was lifted.
Nic
Seal, Founder and MD of Environet, said: “We’re delighted to work with DuPont,
who are global market leaders in materials science and innovation, to develop
new, environmentally-friendly solutions in the fight against Japanese knotweed.
The results of our field trials indicate that Plantex Platinium is extremely
effective at controlling Japanese knotweed, even though it doesn’t kill it.
"I’m
confident this will be a game-changer for clients in the commercial and
residential sectors.”
Carl
Festré, DuPont EMEA Marketing Manager, Typar and Plantex, said: “We are happy
with the results of the DuPont Plantex Platinium test conducted by Environet in
the fight against Japanese Knotweed. These results confirm that Plantex
Platinium offers an effective, cost competitive and practical solution to
control the spread of Japanese Knotweed.
"As a
manufacturer we will continue to look for opportunities to improve the product
and the installation techniques to ensure full satisfaction of our customers.”
