Geomembrane Applications: Where and How Geomembranes Are Used

Introduction

Geomembrane applications cover a wide range of industries where liquid, gas, or contaminants must be reliably contained.

In engineering practice, geomembranes are selected not because they are plastic sheets, but because they provide predictable impermeability, durability, and long-term performance under demanding conditions.

Below are the most common geomembrane applications, based on real-world civil, environmental, and industrial projects worldwide.

1. Landfills and Waste Containment Systems

Landfills represent one of the largest and most regulated geomembrane applications.

Typical uses include:

• Municipal solid waste landfills

• Hazardous waste landfills

• Industrial waste containment facilities

• Landfill capping and closure systems

In these systems, geomembranes serve as the primary barrier preventing leachate from contaminating soil and groundwater.

They are usually installed as part of a composite liner system, combined with geotextiles, drainage layers, and geosynthetic clay liners.

Common geomembrane material:
HDPE geomembrane (1.5–2.0 mm), often textured for slope stability.

2. Mining and Heap Leach Pad Applications

Mining is one of the most demanding geomembrane applications due to chemical exposure and long design life requirements.

Typical mining uses include:

• Heap leach pads for gold, copper, and uranium

• Tailings storage facilities

• Process water and pregnant solution ponds

• Solution collection channels

In these environments, geomembranes must resist chemicals, UV exposure, and subgrade settlement.

Common geomembrane material:
HDPE or LLDPE geomembrane, smooth or textured depending on slope conditions.

3. Water Reservoirs and Ponds

Geomembranes are widely used in water containment applications, especially where natural soil permeability is high.

Common projects include:

• Agricultural irrigation ponds

• Drinking water reservoirs

• Fire water storage ponds

• Industrial water reservoirs

Compared to compacted clay liners, geomembranes offer faster installation, consistent performance, and minimal seepage loss.

Common geomembrane material:
HDPE, LLDPE, or PVC geomembrane, selected based on flexibility and water quality requirements.

 4. Wastewater and Sewage Treatment Facilities

Wastewater treatment is another critical area of geomembrane applications.

Typical uses include:

• Aeration ponds

• Sludge lagoons

• Equalization basins

• Biogas covers and floating membranes

Geomembranes in these systems must handle continuous immersion, chemical exposure, and temperature variation.

Common geomembrane material:
HDPE geomembrane for liners; reinforced geomembranes for floating covers.

5. Oil, Gas, and Industrial Containment

Industrial facilities use geomembranes as a secondary containment solution to control spills and leaks.

Typical applications include:

• Tank farm liners

• Secondary containment basins

• Chemical storage areas

• Pipeline trench liners

These geomembrane applications help facilities meet environmental regulations and reduce cleanup risks.

Common geomembrane material:
HDPE or specialty chemical-resistant geomembranes.

6. Aquaculture and Fish Farming

Aquaculture relies on geomembranes to maintain clean and controlled water environments.

Typical uses include:

• Fish farming ponds

• Shrimp and aquaculture ponds

• Hatchery tanks

Geomembranes improve water quality control, reduce seepage, and simplify pond maintenance.

Common geomembrane material:
HDPE or LLDPE geomembrane, usually with a smooth surface.

7. Transportation and Infrastructure Projects

Geomembranes are also used in infrastructure to manage water movement and seepage control.

Typical examples include:

• Tunnel waterproofing systems

• Canal lining projects

• Railway and highway drainage control

• Earth dam seepage barriers

In these applications, geomembranes are usually protected by geotextiles, soil layers, or concrete.

Why Geomembranes Are Used Across So Many Industries

Across all geomembrane applications, the selection is driven by the same core benefits:

• Extremely low permeability

• Long service life (20–50+ years with proper design)

• Excellent chemical and UV resistance

• Predictable engineering performance

Material type, thickness, and surface texture are always selected based on project conditions, not just cost.

Final Thoughts

If a project involves containing water, waste, chemicals, or gases, there is a strong likelihood that geomembranes are part of the engineered solution.

Experienced manufacturers such as Tinhy Geosynthetics Co., Ltd. supply a full range of geomembranes and support engineers in selecting the right materials for each application.