What is Galfan coating and why is it better than standard galvanization?

Galfan® is a zinc-5% aluminum-mischmetal alloy coating that provides 2-3 times better corrosion resistance than standard hot-dip galvanizing. In salt spray tests, Galfan-coated wire reaches 3,000+ hours without red rust compared to 1,000-1,500 hours for standard galvanized wire. This makes it ideal for marine, riverbank, and high-humidity applications.

How long does it take to produce and deliver a large gabion order?

Production lead time for large gabion orders (1,000+ units) is typically 25-35 days, depending on wire diameter and coating specifications. Ocean freight from China to European ports takes 25-35 days. Total door-to-door delivery is usually 45-55 days. Rush orders can be accommodated with partial air freight for urgent requirements.

What certifications does Haobo Metal provide with gabion products?

Every order includes full certification documentation: ISO 9001:2015 quality management certificate, EN 10223-3 compliance declaration, third-party test reports (SGS/BV/TÜV), coating weight certificates, tensile strength test results, and certificate of origin for customs clearance.

Gabion Retaining Wall Project in Germany: 15,000 sqm Riverbank Stabilization

July 8, 2026

yle="color:#fff;margin-top:0">Project Overview

Project Location	Bavaria, Germany
Product	PVC-Coated Gabion Baskets (4×1×1m, 5×1×1m)
Quantity	3,200 units / 15,000 sqm
Wire Specification	Galfan® Zn-5%Al, 4.0mm diameter, 80×100mm mesh
Client	German infrastructure contractor (name withheld per NDA)
Completion	2023 Q3

The Challenge

A major riverbank stabilization project in southern Germany required 15,000 square meters of gabion retaining walls to prevent erosion along a 1.2km stretch of the Danube tributary. The engineering specification demanded:

Corrosion resistance exceeding 3,000 hours salt spray test — ruling out standard hot-dip galvanized wire
Custom basket dimensions with internal diaphragms every 1 meter
Full EN 10223-3 compliance with third-party testing certificates
Delivery within 45 days to meet the construction window before the rainy season

Our Solution

Haobo Metal proposed a Galfan® (Zn-5%Al-MM) coated wire solution with an additional PVC coating for maximum durability in the high-moisture riverbank environment.

Technical Specifications Delivered


Parameter	Specification	Test Standard
Wire Diameter	4.0mm ±0.06mm	EN 10218-2
Coating Type	Galfan® Zn-5%Al + PVC	EN 10244-2
Coating Weight	≥275 g/m² (Galfan) + 0.5mm PVC	EN 10244-2
Mesh Opening	80×100mm	EN 10223-3
Salt Spray Resistance	3,500+ hours (no red rust)	ISO 9227
Tensile Strength	540-680 N/mm²	EN 10218-1

Production & Quality Control

The order was split into 5 production batches, each undergoing rigorous QC inspection:

Raw Material Inspection: Wire rod chemical composition verified against EN 10218-1
In-Process Check: Mesh opening tolerance measured every 50 baskets, wire diameter every 100 baskets
Coating Test: Galfan coating weight tested via gravimetric method, PVC adhesion tested per EN 10245-1
Pre-Shipment Inspection: SGS conducted final random sampling — zero defects found in 315-unit sample

Logistics & Delivery

3,200 gabion baskets were packed flat on 16 pallets, loaded into 4×40' HQ containers, and shipped from Tianjin Port to Hamburg via ocean freight (28 days transit). The full order was delivered 6 days ahead of the 45-day deadline.

Results

3,500+

Hours Salt Spray Resistance

Quality Defects at SGS Inspection

6 Days

Ahead of Schedule

The riverbank stabilization has now been in service for over 2 years with zero corrosion issues reported. The client has since placed two additional orders totaling 8,500 sqm for subsequent project phases.