Containment

This year's StocExpo was the biggest yet, with nearly 70 different countries represented. The three-day conference and exhibition, now in its sixth year, was held in Antwerp, Belgium. A strong mix of attendees from all aspects of port operations, construction and clients were represented. See statistics from StocExpo 2010, and learn the newly released details on StocExpo 2011.

Meg Griffin of the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) has authored a short review of the FGI's inaugural meeting, which was held at Geosynthetics 2009 in Salt Lake City (late February). FGI installed a board of directors. Meg writes, "The main objectives of the new FGI include conducting research on fabricated geomembranes, disseminating technical information, establishing and maintaining a world wide website, and answering technical questions regarding the design, testing, specification, and installation of fabricated geomembranes." Read more.

The latest updates from ASTM International are available. In this final update for 2008, we have a new standard and work item from Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and a few items from the recently quite prolific Committee D18 on Soil and Rock. Visit the ASTM Update page for details.

Geosynthetics magazine, published by the Industrial Fabrics Association International, has launched a new website. The revamped design includes a cleaner presentation and more interactive content, such as a blog from editor Ron Bygness. Learn more here.;

At the Geo-Frontiers 2011 conference, there will be a technical session on Concrete Protection Liners co-chaired by Ian D. Peggs (icorp@geosynthetic.com) and Peter Dimaio (peterd@aks.co.za). All those working on tunnels, wastewater treatment basins, process chemical containment, or any other aspect of concrete protection using geomembranes or thicker polymeric sheet products, are invited to submit abstracts through 8 March 2010. Learn more.

The 2011 International Achievement Awards from the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) have been announced. Thirty-three categories are included in the annual IAA competition. The winners are usually announced during the IFAI Expo Americas event (which is currently wrapping up in Baltimore). In the Geosynthetic Projects categories, TenCate Geosynthetics, Ace Geosynthetics and Agru America were recognized. Read more.

ASTM International has been selected to provide certification for the U.S. Department of Agriculture biobased labeling program, a voluntary initiative to identify biobased products and to promote their sale among consumers seeking to purchase goods using renewable resources. As the selected provider, ASTM International will manage the Certification Program for Biobased Products, which will determine the product and package biobased content for manufacturers and vendors that choose to participate.

According to data collected by the International Energy Agency, bioenergy utilization has grown to be more than twice that of nuclear. Fossil fuels still account for 81% of world energy use, but bioenergy has grown substantially, particularly in developing regions of the world (Asia, Africa and Latin America).

A new study linking chemicals in the Bonaparte River in British Columbia, Canada to leachate in the Cache Creek landfill is being debated, but many officials remain unconvinced. Several independent engineering studies performed on the landfill over the years have failed to find problems with leachate escapement; but some strong similarities in the landfill's leachate and Bonaparte River contaminants have been found. One consultant--who has not actually studied the landfill--has speculated that wrinkles in the liner and methods used to wrap the leachate pumps have resulted in holes in the liner. Learn more here.;

The new issue of Compounding World magazine, from AMI, is available for viewing online. The February edition includes features on new developments in antioxidants and stabilizers, an analysis of the compounding markets in China and India, machinery and materials innovations for compounding TPEs, and new technologies launched at the Coperion Open House. Plus, all the latest business news, additives developments and new machinery are included. Learn more here.;

The American Public Works Association (APWA) 2011 Sustainability in Public Works Conference and exhibition is accepting presentation proposals through 30 September 2010. The event location and dates have yet to be announced, but 2010's event in Minneapolis was a great success. APWA's sustainability initiatives include not just this event series but a new APWA Center for Sustainability. Learn more about the conference topics that intersect with geosynthetic practice. Learn more here.;

In the United States, aquaculture standards are differ, at times considerably, from state to state. But a new plan to harmonize the field's standards within the country is gaining key support, such as from the National Aquaculture Association (NAA). Learn more here.;

A number of calls are closing shortly, as conference technical committees and companies finalize their 2012 agendas. In our latest update we look at five of them: EuroGeo 5 (November 30), Global Waste Management Symposium (December 1), World Bioenergy 2012 (December 1), Environmental Connection (December 16), and GeoManitoba 2012 (January 15).

When ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics meets in Jacksonville, Florida (30 January – 1 February 2013) during its regularly scheduled winter committee week meeetings, a special workshop on pore size distribution (PSD) in geotextiles will be held. The workshop takes place Wednesday, January 30 from 10:00 am – 12:00 pm. Of note at this workshop, a far more accurate test for PSD will be discussed along with newly available equipment that will enable manufacturers and laboratories to perform the more accurate test.

The Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) 17th Annual Landfill Symposium will convene in Atlanta, Georgia 27-28 February 2013. The association seeks abstract submissions through August 1 for topics such as solar energy at landfills, beneficial reuse gas projects, transitioning from an active landfill to a sustainable income facility during post-closure, landfill design, and more. Submit an abstract here. Learn more here.;

Start the week with the latest in the geoengineering world. Here's the GeoWire conversation for the week of July 6. WORK SMARTER. BIG PROJECTS The B1M compiles details on some of...

TRI/Environmental will host another CQA Week that offers essential education in these areas during the week of 12 November 2010 at its Austin, Texas campus. Activities will include both classroom and field study (in on-site test pits) of liner integrity surveys--also known as, leak location--with electrical resistivity testing; two days of QA/QC short courses on geosynthetic installation and use of compact clay and geosynthetic clay liners; and the CQA Certification Exam from the Geosynthetic Institute's (GSI) CQA Inspectors Certification Program. Learn more about it here.

CETCO's Tech Talk video series shares high-quality information on geosynthetics and affiliated engineering issues. Here, and in less than three minutes, Dr. Craig Benson explains how a swell index...

American Environmental Group Ltd. (AEG) announces the hiring of Chuck Van Houten to AEG's Geosynthetic Project Management group. An industry veteran, Chuck adds another 16 years of geosynthetics experience to AEG's core expert staff. Chuck will be working out of AEG's Houston office location. Read more.

During the 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG), the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) will hold its awards reception, with a few important changes. In the past, the awards have...

In an initiative to contribute to the water conservation movement, polymer procession company EMMBI Polyarns Limited has announced the launch of its sophisticated range of water conservation products -- 'AquaSave'. Under the brand 'AquaSave', Emmbi Polyarns would launch a range of water conserving products like flexible water tank (Flexi tank), Rain water harvesting system, canal liners, pond liners and geosynthetics.

The International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) has published the second 2012 issue of its IGS News. Issue 28, Volume 2 is packed with content, including the 2012 - 2016 Election Candidate Profiles & Election Schedule for the IGS Council, a profile of the IGS Council (geographical and professional composition), a "Filtration User" survey, translation of the Society's key mathematical symbols document, a GeoAmericas 2012 conference report, Dennes Bergado's retirement symposium (on climate change and geosynthetics) and much more. Read the issue here (PDF).

TenCate Geosynthetics' engineers have released a document detailing the importance and use of separation factors in selecting geotextiles for roadway design. Key to selection is retention, permeability and survivability characteristics. View a copy of the document today.

SKZ's Geosynthetics Middle East 2013 (6 GEOME) will be held under the patronage of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. The conference takes place 29 - 30 October 2013 in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Conference Delegates will have...

Excerpt from Joint News Conference, 3 p.m. Eastern Time, 30 September 2010, Marshall, Michigan. Read comments from Enbridge Inc.'s president and CEO Patrick Daniel and executive vice president (liquids pipelines) Steve Wuori. They report that the spilled oil and sediment is being pumped into large geotextile tubes on shore. The water will be drained and treated and the sediment will be allowed to dry and then will be hauled away to an appropriate waste facility.