Frequently Asked Questions

EFI USA is the national leader in geosynthetic liner installation and environmental containment. We operate 5 core service lines: biogas and anaerobic digesters, geosynthetic liners, floating covers, O2 injection and H2S removal, and baffle curtains. We also serve mining containment and wastewater applications. From engineering design through installation, commissioning, and ongoing maintenance, EFI provides fully turnkey solutions.

EFI operates nationwide from three regional hubs in South Carolina (headquarters), Texas (Southern and Central US), and California (West Coast, Central Valley dairy focus). We have completed projects in 25+ states and internationally, with the ability to mobilize crews to any project site in the continental United States.

EFI was founded in 1993 by Dennis Shanklin in Gaston, South Carolina as Environmental Fabrics Inc. Over 30+ years of continuous operation, the company has grown from a regional geosynthetic liner installer to the national market leader with 500+ covered lagoon digester systems installed and an estimated 82% share of the US covered lagoon market.

EFI has installed over 500 covered lagoon digester (CLD) systems across the United States, representing approximately 82% of the US covered lagoon market. This makes EFI the most experienced CLD installer in the country by a significant margin, with more real-world operational data than any competitor.

Generally, dairy farms with 500+ head of cattle, swine operations with 2,000+ head, or food processing facilities with significant organic wastewater volumes are good candidates for a covered lagoon digester. However, every site is different. EFI provides free feasibility assessments to determine whether a CLD system makes sense for your specific operation.

Costs vary significantly based on the size and complexity of the project. Dairy farm CLD systems typically range from $300,000 to $1.5 million, while food processing facility systems can range from $2 million to $9 million. EFI provides free site assessments and detailed proposals with project-specific pricing. Our cap-and-flare program can also deploy systems at zero cost to qualifying waste generators.

Covered lagoon digesters (CLDs) use the existing lagoon or waste storage structure with a geomembrane cover to capture biogas. They are lower cost, simpler to operate, and work well in warmer climates. Complete stirred tank reactors (CSTRs) are heated, mixed tanks that provide more controlled digestion conditions and work better in cold climates, but cost significantly more and are more complex to operate. EFI specializes in CLDs, the dominant technology for agricultural and food processing applications in the United States.

The optimal liner material depends on your specific application. HDPE (high-density polyethylene) is the standard for chemical resistance and landfill applications. LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) offers superior flexibility for uneven ground and settlement-prone sites. PVC works well for complex geometry. RPP (reinforced polypropylene) is the material of choice for biogas covers. EFI's engineers evaluate site conditions, chemical exposure, UV factors, and project requirements to recommend the best material for each application.

A properly installed geosynthetic liner typically lasts 20+ years with appropriate maintenance. Lifespan depends on material type, UV exposure, chemical exposure, and maintenance practices. EFI provides semi-annual inspection services to identify and address potential issues before they become problems, maximizing the service life of your liner system.

EFI maintains rigorous quality assurance protocols throughout every installation. We perform destructive seam testing every 150 linear feet, exceeding industry standards. All installers hold IAGI (International Association of Geosynthetic Installers) certification. Our in-house QA laboratory at our Gaston, SC headquarters tests materials and welds to ensure every installation meets or exceeds engineering specifications.

EFI is fully turnkey. A typical project follows this path: site assessment and feasibility study, engineering design and material selection, custom fabrication at our SC facility, field installation by our certified crews, system commissioning and startup, and ongoing maintenance and monitoring. We handle every phase from the initial assessment through long-term operations.

For standard projects, EFI can typically mobilize within 2 to 4 weeks from contract execution. For emergency repairs, including liner tears, cover damage, or containment failures, we can dispatch crews within 24 to 48 hours from our nearest regional hub in South Carolina, Texas, or California.

Yes. EFI provides comprehensive maintenance and repair services including semi-annual inspections, sludge removal, cover repairs, liner rehabilitation, and 24/7 emergency response. We maintain ongoing service relationships across our 500+ installed system base, and our field crews are experienced with every major liner and cover system on the market.