Origin

Ecobeach originates from Denmark where it was developed in the nineties using the name “PEM-system”. The developed drainage system has been tested on various beaches all over the world since the invention in the nineties. The vertical drainage system has been installed for the first time in the Netherlands in 2006, using the name Ecobeach.

The PEM system (Pressure Equalizing Module) was discovered by a contractor from Skagen, northern Denmark in the beginning of the nineties. This contractor applied a drainage system locally on the beach during a project. Mr. Poul Jakobson noticed a significant growth of the beach during the time that the project location was drained. The widening of the beach remained intact, also after the removal of the drainage system. 

Inspired by this extraordinary observation, Mr. Poul Jakobsen initiated a number of pilot projects on various beaches all over the world. The installation of a drainage system at these project sites also resulted in a growth of the beach, indicating a relationship between the presence of the drainage system and the growth of the beach. The results of these pilots were remarkable but did not provide a clear scientific explanation for the growth of the beach caused by the installed drainage system.

In 2006, a new pilot was initiated by BAM at the Dutch coast using the name Ecobeach. This pilot, which took place between 2006 and 2010, focused on both the monitoring of the behaviour of the beach and dunes and on a scientific explanation of the potential working mechanisms of the system.