Novel Polymeric Alloy – NPA

Novel Polymeric Alloy - NPA

High-Performance NPA material for Long-Term Infrastructure Stability 

Cellular Confinement System

What Are Neoloy® Tough-Cells?

Neoloy® Tough-Cells are rigid cellular confinement system NPA-based used to improve soil and infill behavior through 3D mechanical stabilization. Once expanded and filled with approved infill, the cellular structure confines the material, limits lateral movement, distributes loads, and improves the performance of the stabilized layer. 

NPA is especially relevant for projects exposed to heavy loads, repeated or dynamic loading, weak subgrades, challenging climates, limited aggregate availability, or long design-life requirements.

International R&D Program

PRS developed Neoloy® Tough-Cells through an extensive international research and development program.

The goal was clear: create a geocell material for civil engineering applications that require long-term strength, stiffness, and resistance to deformation.

PRS built on years of HDPE geocell experience and field application knowledge. This experience showed that demanding infrastructure projects required a material with higher stiffness, improved dimensional stability, and stronger resistance to long-term deformation.

Over more than 15 years, PRS worked with leading researchers, universities, laboratories, and public agencies. The program included laboratory testing, field trials, numerical analysis, and full-scale validation.

This research established the performance criteria required for geocells to work as long-term engineering solutions. These engineering properties later guided the development of Novel Polymeric Alloy ( NPA), the material technology used in Neoloy® Tough-Cells.

Neoloy® performance is supported by more than 120 studies, tests, and validations. These include full-scale moving wheel tests at the University of Kansas, long-term rail performance monitoring on Amtrak passenger rail lines, repeated-load testing in Germany, seismic research for retaining walls in Japan, and infrastructure applications for organizations such as the UN and UK MOD.

These parameters also align with recognized international pavement standard guidelines, including ISO/TR 18228-5, ASTM D8269-21, and CROW/SBRCURnet, which establish the evaluation of geocell materials proprieties for demanding civil engineering applications. [Learn more about Geocell International Standards.]

From Research to Performance Parameters

PRS evaluates geocells through measurable characteristics that reflect real-world behavior under load and environmental exposure. These parameters help engineers assess whether a geocell can maintain confinement throughout the entire project design life. 

Validated Performance Parameters

Long-term cellular confinement performance depends on more than geometry. Material stiffness, deformation resistance, tensile strength, and durability all influence how the system performs under real project conditions.

Where Neoloy® Tough-Cells Add Value

Neoloy® Tough-Cells are designed for infrastructure applications where long-term performance and durability are critical. 

  • Roads and highways 
  • Railways and heavy-duty pavements 
  • Ports, yards, and working platforms 
  • Airports and high-load pavements 
  • Mining and industrial access roads 
  • Steep slopes and soft or challenging soils 

They optimize design, reduce material requirements, support the use of suitable local infill, and improve long-term performance according to project characteristics and needs. 

Need to evaluate whether Neoloy® Tough-Cells are suitable for your project?

PRS experts can review your project conditions and guide you to the right solution.

Contact Our Advisors