Containment

A familiar name is returning to the geosynthetics expert consulting ranks. After a short stint with an international geosynthetics manufacturer, Dhani Narejo, P.E., Ph.D., is now available without restrictions...

The Environmental Connection 2010 registration book is now available for you to download from the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) website. In an effort to reduce direct mail waste and the annual conference's environmental impact, IECA has elected to reduce the number of physical registration books it is sending this year. The full book and registration form have both been made available in an electronic format. Download the PDF (10 MB) today. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has opened registration for its annual conference and expo, Environmental Connection 2012 (EC12). Interested parties can visit IECA's website for details on full-day courses, shorter technical sessions, special events and the exhibit hall. Learn more in the release.

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has launched the Asia Pacific Textile News in support of IFAI Expo Asia 2011. The inaugural issue (January 2010) includes a reprint of an article from Geosynthetics magazine regarding the growth of geosynthetics in China. Read the January 2010 issue here. Learn more here.;

The design and construction of a replacement dam on difficult foundations was recently completed at a salmon smolt facility in Scotland. RM Doake from AECOM explains how the design process was shaped by working in such an environmentally sensitive area--including through the extensive utilization of geosynthetic clay barriers (also known as GCLs) and thick nonwoven geotextiles for seepage control and soil stabilization. Learn more here.;

Dr. Dennes Bergado writes with news of a gathering in Thailand: Geosynthetics Asia 2012, the 5th Asian Regional Conference on Geosynthetics. The first Call for Abstracts for this event, to be held under the auspices of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) and to be hosted by IGS Thailand, can be viewed in PDF here. Geosynthetics Asia 2012 will take place 10-14 December 2012 in Bangkok.

We have received word this week that industry veteran and friend Ronald Belanger has passed away. Ron owned and served as president of Anaheim, California-based Precision Geosynthetics Laboratories International (PGLI). In a letter to the industry, PGLI Vice President Cora Queja noted that "We join Ron Belanger’s family in this great loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife, Gisela (Gigi); daughter, Michelle; and granddaughter, Sydney. We will surely miss him." PGLI confirms that it is continuing its operations with the direction of long-time key personnel Cora Queja and Carmelo Zantua. Learn more here.;

To reflect its expanded coverage of the scrap and recycling industry, the publication Waste News is changing its name to Waste & Recycling News beginning with the 5 January 2009 issue. The current plan is to publish a special section on scrap 18 times per year, beginning in February 2009. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for submissions for Environmental Connection 2013, annual conference and expo of IECA. Combining quality education with a top-notch expo, Environmental Connection is the premier gathering place for the erosion and sediment control community. The 2013 conference will be held in San Diego, CA, 10–13 February 2013. This year, IECA is focusing on the relevant issues and challenges facing erosion control and stormwater quality management professionals. Abstracts are due 31 May 2012. Read more, including about recommend topics.

Seaman Corporation is investing $7 million in expanding capabilities at its Bristol, Tennessee manufacturing facility. The company makes, among other things, geomembranes. This latest round of investment is part of a three-year improvement in the Bristol site. Learn more here.;

In 2003, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) expressed concern over the structural security of its Kingston coal ash reservoir. But the company expressed even greater concern with the proposed redesign bills, including one that recommended up to $25 million of work (and which would have appropriated $5 million for a proper liner). The TVA chose a sub-$1 million plan. When the Kingston facility failed in December 2008, it released 5.4 million cubic yards of contaminating ash across 275 acres. The estimated cleanup cost is $525-$825 million. That's 21 times the highest redesign cost proposal from 2003 and 105 times the cost of the liner TVA balked at. One can reasonably expect liners to be mandated in the near future for these disposal and storage facilities. Learn more here.;

In 1999, ACF Environmental was involved in a project that saw the installation of Propex's Pyramat turf reinforcement mat (TRM) in lieu of traditional riprap for roadside work. Now, through its e-newsletter, ACF Environmental begins a series of articles and photographic essays to look back on the work as it happened and as it stands now. The photographs from Delaware provide excellent proof of the power of the right erosion control and geosynthetic mix to secure vegetation and promote long-term, successful growth. Learn more here.;

The Elan Valley Aqueduct (EVA) is an important part of the water supply for Birmingham City (Wales) and its surrounding area. The principal structure is 100 years old. The...

EPA's Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds (OWOW) has released a new 11-minute video, "Building Green: A Success Story in Philadelphia." The video features numerous short interviews and showcases green building methods being implemented around Philadelphia, such as green roofs, porous pavers for infiltration, solar panels, rainwater harvesting, reducing stormwater runoff, and much more. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetica supports its underwriters and the geosynthetics field on many fronts: in magazine articles, in daily news on its site and as an approved provider to Google News, through webinars, with market research, and in many other ways. One of the important ways we deliver geosynthetics information around the world is through support of conferences, particularly of those that are not exclusive to geosynthetics or which have not yet realized their full market or regional potential in their utilization or understanding of geosynthetic technologies. In 2010, some of the events for which Geosynthetica.net is serving as a cooperating organization / media sponsor include: ** EC10 in Dallas, Texas, USA -- 16-20 February 2010; ** 7th Cooperation for Waste Issues in Kharkiv, Ukraine -- 7-8 April 2010; ** Polymers in Photovoltaics 2010 in Cologne, Germany -- 20-22 April 2010; ** LatAm Mining Congress 2010 in Coral Gables, Florida, USA -- 27-29 April 2010; ** Global Waste Management Symposium 2010 in San Antonio, Texas, USA -- 3-6 October 2010. **** To learn more about how you can be part of these events and others with Geosynthetica.net, or how Geosynthetica can work with you to expand your reach, contact Elizabeth Peggs at elizabeth@geosynthetica.net.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is raising the height of four of its dams to help reduce the risk of flooding in the event of weather more extreme than any conditions ever recorded in the region. TVA is using a prefabricated multi-cellular system made of coated steel-welded mesh and lined with a non-woven polypropylene geotextile. Learn more here.;

Radioactive waste buried in the Seaway Landfill in Tonawanda, New York will remain there after some waste is dug up. A surface leak from the landfill has caused some concerns, but US Army Corps of Engineers officials report that the site can be cleaned quickly followed by an appropriate long-term geomembrane and clean soil cap. Learn more here.;

The Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) is not just another waste and recycling event – it's the ONLY event that truly celebrates technology and scientific innovation within our industry on a global scale. Here are 5 pretty fabulous reasons to attend GWMS 2012 (and register now at the Early Bird rate). Read more.

SKZ's 2nd International Conference on Geosynthetics Middle East will be held in Dubai, UAE, 10-11 November 2009. The speaker and topic line up is certainly an impressive list. Ian Peggs of I-CORP will present on predicting end-of-life for high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembranes and the incorporation of flexible solar cells on exposed landfill caps; Carl De Leon of Solmax will present on geomembrane liners in harsh, petrochemical containment operations; Detlef Schramm of Dow will present a geomembrane global review; Silke Schwöbken of SENSOR will present on drainage detection systems; and much more. Dr. Helmut Zanzinger will chair the seminar. Download the program in PDF.

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is calling for nominations for its 20th annual Awards of Environmental Excellence. This year's revamped awards program features eight categories to recognize industry professionals and organizations for their contributions to the erosion and sediment control community. IECA will honor all award winners during its awards program at Environmental Connection 2011 (EC11) 20-23 February 2011. The deadline to submit a nomination for awards presented at EC11 is November 1, 2010.

LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB) common stock begins trading today on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) under the symbol LYB for Class A ordinary shares and LYB.B for Class B ordinary shares. "Today LyondellBasell begins writing yet another chapter in our history--as a New York Stock Exchange-listed company," said LyondellBasell Chief Executive Officer Jim Gallogly. "The dedication and commitment of our employees worldwide has enabled us to create a new LyondellBasell, one of the world's premier chemical companies. Having our shares listed on the NYSE provides investors with a more liquid and transparent mechanism to own our stock."

Eighteen people attended the 14-15 November geoelectric Liner Integrity Survey and Assessment course at the TRI campus in Austin, Texas. Organized by TRI/Environmental and I-CORP INTERNATIONAL (as the TRI-CORP Liner Integrity Center [T-CLIC]), this gathering marked the 17th course since 2004. In total, ~250 people have taken part in this unique training and education program, including registrants from England, Australia, Chile, Canada, and Brazil. Read more.

The Middle East will be a leading producer and exporter of plastic resins within the next five years, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) capacity in the region slated to more than double by 2015. The Middle East plastics industry is expected to grow 30 percent a year. This phenomenal growth rate, and the consequent further investment and industrial development opportunities presented have prompted the organization of the First GPCA Plastics Summit, taking place at the Grand Hyatt Dubai on 14-16 June 2010.

Applied Market Information (AMI) has released the program and registration brochure for Waterproof Membranes 2010, the fourth international conference in this series. Waterproof Membranes 2010 takes place at the Maritim Hotel in Cologne, Germany 30 November - 2 December 2010. AMI is offering Euro 100 off registration for those who book their space before October 20. Learn more about this year's program.

Joel Sprague of TRI/Environmental has authored a piece about the International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) Southeast Chapter Training and Field Days. The two-day October event included a full day at TRI's Denver Downs Research Facility, a large-scale testing facility for erosion and sediment control products and systems. Read the report and see photos from the event at ErosionControl.com. Learn more here.;