Trisoplast

Works are currently being executed for the construction of a retention pond in Aguililla in the province of Michoacán, central Mexico. The project is supported by the Dutch ministry of Economic Affairs and are be executed under supervision of the Partners for Water programme. Trisoplast Mineral Liners is participating in the consortium to which the project was assigned.

The project is based on the explicit demand by the Mexican government and comprises the construction of a rainwater basin in the village of Aguililla, located in the province of Michoacán, Central Mexico.

A combination of lengthy periods of draught, large scale deforestation and poor water management have led to a structural water shortage in large parts of Mexico. The fact that large amounts of water become available during the rainy season that cannot be used due to lack of proper infrastructure and technology, has not led to government action until now.

The Netherlands have a unique position when it comes to knowledge about water. The scope of the Partners for Water programme is to enhance the transfer of Dutch know-how and technology to local partners and government in order to both improve the international position of the Dutch water industry (government, NGO’s, private enterprises and research centres) while at the same time contribute to the resolution of international water issues.

The Dutch partners in the consortium, Ameco and Trisoplast Mineral Liners, work together with a local partner for the construction of the basin. Trisoplast Mineral Liners is responsible for the supply and application of the mineral barrier Trisoplast^®, which is installed at the bottom of the retention pond in order to make it impermeable. Rainwater can be stored in the basin, enabling the local community to also dispose of water during the dry season.

A mobile mixing plant was set up on site for the production of the Trisoplast mixture. Trisoplast consists of a special bentonite-polymer component which is mixed with a mineral filler, e.g. sand. When the first water is absorbed by the Trisoplast layer this causes the bentonite to swell and form a network of chemical bonds with the dissolved polymer, creating a strong, dense hydro-gel structure which makes the layer impermeable.

Works are being executed by a team of Mexican workers, under supervision of two Dutch experts from Trisoplast Mineral Liners.