Vital Chemical has announced a new strategic partnership with New Zealand natural materials innovator Rubisco, bringing an advanced natural fibre geotextile system to the Australian market for the first time.
Under the partnership, Vital Chemical will market and distribute the products in Australia under the VE Geo-Loc Made by Rubisco brand, offering both a hemp and wool blend and a 100% wool option for use in erosion control, sediment management and weed suppression applications.
Designed for use across civil infrastructure, landscaping, construction and environmental rehabilitation projects, VE Geo-Loc Made by Rubisco provides a natural fibre alternative to synthetic geotextiles commonly used in the sector.
Vital Chemical Director Paul McMullen said the partnership reflects the company’s focus on identifying innovative and environmentally responsible technologies that can deliver practical performance in the field.
“Our focus has always been on identifying proven technologies globally and making them accessible to the Australian market,” Mr McMullen said.
“VE Geo-Loc Made by Rubisco provides a compelling natural alternative to traditional synthetic geotextiles, and through Vital’s distribution network we are well positioned to support adoption across construction, landscaping and environmental restoration projects nationwide.”
Rubisco brings more than 50 years of heritage in wool fibre processing and manufacturing and has in recent years expanded into industrial hemp fibre systems. Operating across Christchurch and Ashburton in New Zealand, the company has developed a vertically integrated natural fibre platform spanning fibre cultivation, processing and advanced materials manufacturing.
Rubisco’s natural fibre geotextile technology is marketed in New Zealand under the FuturFiber® — Made by Rubisco brand in partnership with Advance Landscape Systems, a leading New Zealand supplier of landscape and erosion control solutions. The Rubisco system, which carries a Global GreenTag Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), is the same underlying technology now being introduced into Australia through the Vital Chemical partnership.
Rubisco CEO Guy Wills said the collaboration highlights the growing role natural fibre materials can play in infrastructure and environmental management.
“Natural fibres such as hemp and wool offer a high-performance alternative to many synthetic materials traditionally used in geotextile applications,” Mr Wills said.
“Working with strong partners such as Vital Chemical enables these solutions to reach new markets and support more sustainable approaches to land management and infrastructure development.”
Manufactured from South Island-grown industrial hemp blended with New Zealand strong wool, the VE Geo-Loc Made by Rubisco system is produced as a needle-punched nonwoven geotextile designed to deliver erosion control, soil stabilisation and weed suppression while remaining fully biodegradable.
Unlike conventional synthetic geotextiles, the material contains no plastics or synthetic polymers, eliminating microplastic risks while supporting soil health as the fibres naturally biodegrade.
With a functional lifespan of 18 to 24 months, the product provides durability during vegetation establishment before safely returning organic matter to the soil.
As demand grows for lower-impact materials in infrastructure and environmental restoration projects, natural fibre geotextiles are emerging as a credible alternative to traditional synthetic solutions.
For more information, visit:
www.vitalindustries.com.au
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