BFM or FGM

Choosing between a BFM and FGM™.

There are only two products in the category of Flexible Growth Medium™ (FGM™) on the market today: Flexterra® HP-FGM™ and CocoFlex™ ET-FGM. No other hydraulically applied mulch delivers the performance or longevity of any of these products.

There are many more Bonded Fiber Matrices (BFMs) on the market. While not providing as high of level of protection and vegetation performance as an FGM, BFMs are certainly the better choice in many situations.

Performance by slope

Select FGM if:

  • You need the fastest vegetation establishment possible
  • The site demands immediate erosion protection and you need to eliminate risk from impending wet weather
  • The site requires both mechanical and chemical bonds to withstand greater surface flow and/or severe slopes
  • Soil needs erosion protection for 12 to 18 months (Ask a Profile expert about new CocoFlex ET-FGM for 18 to 24 months of protection)
  • You require a high factor of design safety
  • You are considering combining with Futerra® Turf Reinforcement Mat (TRM) to utilize the GreenArmor™ System

Select BFM if:

  • There is a high degree of certainty heavy rains will not follow application
  • The soil is dry and rain is not expected within 24–48 hours after application
  • A chemical bond is strong enough to meet slope severity and length needs
  • The required functional longevity of soil protection is 12 months or less
  • You require a moderate factor of design safety

ALWAYS check the composition of the product you’re considering. There are Stabilized Mulch Matrices (SMMs) posing as BFMs and even FGMs in the marketplace. The general composition of a true BFM should consist of defibrated fibers and cross-linked insoluble hydro-colloidal tackifiers to provide erosion control and facilitate vegetation establishment on steep slopes. They should also be designed with a functional longevity of at least 6 months. An SMM lacks cross-linked insoluble hydro-colloidal tackifiers and generally lasts only up to 3 months.