TEXTILES.ORG
Officine Maccaferri, a platform company of Ambienta SGR S.p.A. and a global leader in the field of civil and environmental engineering, has signed, through its U.S. subsidiary Maccaferri Inc., a five-year framework contract with the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), with a maximum value of approximately $25 million, for the supply of systems aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and land against flooding as well as mitigating hydrogeological risk. The award follows the successful completion of the tender process and fulfillment of preliminary conditions set by the USACE.
Officine Maccaferri will provide its EBS MAC system, a rapid deployment multi-cellular structure for use in emergency situations and developed from its long-standing expertise in double-twist wire mesh gabions. The system can be quickly filled on-site with locally available material to form an effective modular barrier. These solutions, which have already been successfully implemented in other regions, are increasingly emerging as key engineering tools for climate change adaptation, significantly contributing to the safety of vulnerable infrastructure and communities. Maccaferri will also offer advanced technical and engineering consulting services on-site, deploying specialized teams to support barrier installation and management operations. The supplies will be handled directly by Maccaferri’s Texas and Maryland facilities, which will serve as the main distribution and operational hubs to ensure rapid response to USACE needs. This order, the first signed with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers specialized in engineering and design, builds on the 10 years of ongoing supplies and services to the US Government for over $45 millions of similar EBS products.
The project aims to address the increasing intensity of extreme weather phenomena recorded globally over the past 25 years. According to the World Meteorological Organization, flood-related disasters have increased by 134% since 2000, with growing impacts on lands, communities and infrastructure. In 2024, water-related disasters are estimated to have caused economic losses exceeding US $550 billion globally. Therefore, the ability to curb and manage hydraulic and flood risk plays an increasingly central role in policies to counter climate change effects.
It is precisely in this context that the contract with USACE fits in, as it operates to strengthen national security through the construction and maintenance of critical infrastructure, managing projects aimed at mitigating hydrogeological and environmental risks, as well as responding to emergencies caused by natural disasters. USACE’s operations are supported by the National Flood Fight Material Center, which manages the acquisition, storage, and distribution of materials and equipment for flood emergency management, providing timely support to federal, state, and local authorities.
This project underscores Officine Maccaferri’s ability to deliver innovative, integrated engineering solutions that combine cutting-edge technology, speed of deployment, and operational reliability. It addresses the growing demand from public authorities for infrastructure and environmental resilience in response to extreme weather events. The initiative is also fully aligned with the Group’s growth trajectory, further strengthening its position as a leading global player in the field of sustainable engineering.