EcoScape® SoftBond® shred, EcoBase and binder are delivered palletized in small units for ease of onsite delivery and handling. (Larger 220kgs of resin are available for larger projects.)

Use a suitable paddle mixer, (not a cement mixer) – this is important – please asks us for advice if needed.

Other equipment required includes gloves; trowel; plastic tray for fluid for cleaning tools; depth block and straight edge; cloth; funnel; measuring jug; light weight roller if required; bucket and wheel barrow.

This system is designed to be installed for a wide variety of applications, subject to the performance requirements for your particular application and your existing site conditions, the degrees of preparation may vary.
For example if a woodland pathway or around trees, simply consolidating the soil and allowing the SoftBond® to follow the contours around the trees, would achieve the desired effect; however, if around a high piece of playground equipment, it is essential that a consistent thickness of the SoftBond® is maintained appropriate to the hardness of the proposed base on which it is to be laid, in order to benefit from the appropriate impact absorbing qualities of the product; in some cases this may require a greater degree of leveling or ground preparation.
NB. Before starting please ensure you are aware of your responsibilities regarding safe handling of the materials and any safety clothing required.

SoftBond® is highly porous, so consideration should be given to the drainage capability and levels of the proposed surface on which the SoftBond® will be laid and when appropriate a shallow sand or clean stone raft or drains should be installed to aid the fast draining capability of the SoftBond®; in particular if the surface is to be recessed onto the ground.

To create a SoftBond® mix; first open a 10 kilo bag of EcoScape® mulch. Place only 1 bag in the mixer at a time (even if it can hold more) and start turning, then add more bags, subject to mixer size.

Measure binder at between 1.8-2 kilos per 10 kilo bag of mulch, depending on the finish and degree of resilience required. NB. If an impact absorbing surface as per specification for the system to be installed.

Tips: Ask us for advice on popular mixes of shred colours to use to achieve a particular visual impact.
Remember due to potential residue in a measuring jug; fill above what you require, for example if you fill to 2.2 litres on the measure, when pouring this will typically deliver approx 2 litres, subject to jug size.

1.8kg of resin is approx 2 litres in volume.

Ensure the full measure of binder goes into the shred and allow the jug to empty as much as possible.

The binder will initially sit on the mulch and then gradually seep through and the blend will start to ‘fold’ – normally 2-5 minutes (or longer in the colder weather).

Only once the shred is ‘evenly wet’; and looks of a consistent blend, empty the mix into a bucket or wheel barrow, subject to the size of the mix.

Always lay a porous geo-textile over the entire area to be covered by SoftBond®.
Transfer the mix to site and pour onto the area.

Use a Timber or Metal straight edge to measure the depth of material required, for your application Tip: Keep tools clean by periodically wiping with a damp cloth or coating all metal surfaces with vegetable oil to avoid sticking.