Breton expertise in coastal stabilization
Espace Pur was founded in 1997. For more than 20 years, it has acquired a recognized expertise in the fight against marine erosion. Recently settled in the SCIC Finistère Mer Vent buildings, Béatrice Cornic manages the company, which is based in Brittany but active all over the world. Through its Stabiplage brand, the company has developed so-called "bio-inspired" solutions to remedy the shortcomings of current coastal protection structures, which struggle to cope with the effects of climatic events and often disrupt the functioning of the coastal ecosystem. "We are now working in all countries, in France, Africa, Vietnam and Guadeloupe, where we have installed Stabiplage on the beach of the Pierre et Vacances village, whose protection was very effective in the face of cyclone Maria," says Béatrice Cornic.
Geotextile systems designed for the marine environment
The structures, made of geotextile tubes filled with sand, use a double envelope to ensure their durability (abrasion and UV resistance, filtration and water permeability) and anchoring systems to hold them in position. Espace Pur has obtained a patent for its technology. Each shoreline configuration requires a custom design of elements by the Breton company to adapt the dimensions and number of elements to the terrain. Each installation is reversible. "We work with our design offices and our knowledge of hydraulics to design the installation adapted to the site" explains the director of Espace Pur.
4 main families are available:
- longitudinal structures, parallel to the shoreline to stabilize the dunes. Their structure allows them to be recolonized by the vegetation.
- structures perpendicular to the coast, in groynes, allowing to re-vegetate the beaches and to stop the recession of the coastline
- submerged structures to attenuate the swell before its arrival on the coast and limit beach erosion
- emergency modules for the protection of equipment or cable landing, put at risk by the sea.
Solutions for port and yachting operators
Stabiplage products are primarily intended for coastal protection work by local authorities, but they can also be used by the boating industry. By working on sedimentology and currents, they can limit the silting up of marinas and the impact of these infrastructures on the surrounding environment. By spacing out dredging operations, they generate management cost savings for their operators.
In more playful uses, Espace Pur also mentions the possibility of using Stabiplage to generate artificial surf spots by controlling the breaking of the waves.
