Containment

The Environmental Research & Education Foundation (EREF) will hold charitable auctions, one silent and one energetic and live, during Waste Expo 2013 in New Orleands (May 20 - 23). Silent auction bidding is open May 6 - 17 online and again May 21 - 22 in the exhibition hall. The live auction will be held May 22 following a reception in the early evening. EREF's mission is to fund and direct scientific research and educational initiatives for waste management practices. To date, the annual auction has raised more than $13 million to fund the foundation's initiatives. Learn more here.;

Dr Ian D. Peggs and I-CORP INTERNATIONAL have been contracted by Leighton Contractors in Australia to provide technical support and guidance for the installation of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) double lining systems in about 14 production water and related ponds at the Condabri and Reedy Creek coal seam gas plants presently being built in Queensland, Australia. The plants are owned by Australia Pacific LNG, a joint venture of Origin, Conoco-Phillips, and Sinopec. This I-CORP/Leighton Contractors cooperation arose from a previous project in which I-CORP provided expert witness support to Leighton Contractors for concrete protection liner failures in SX/EW mixers/settlers at the Gunpowder mine near Mt. Isa in Queensland.

The first quarter of the year is a time of renewing professional society memberships, and it is also often a time of elections. Readers are encouraged to renew their North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) memberships now…as well as take part in the NAGS Elections. From now through February 21, members of NAGS—the North American chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS)—will be able to vote for the President Elect position and a Vice President spot.

GSE Holding, Inc. has announced its acquisition of all of the equity interests of SynTec, LLC, a Baltimore, Maryland-based manufacturer of geosynthetics that complement GSE's well-known containment geosynthetics. SynTec has revenues of approximately $20 million. Co-Founders Giovanni Capra and Aigen Zhao, both of whom are veterans of the field, will remain with GSE after the acquisition.

When former Florida governor Charlie Crist toured a geosynthetic-lined site, he chose the perfect day to learn about geosynthetics: JP Giroud and Ian Peggs, two of the most experienced geosynthetic lining system experts in the world, happened to be there.

The International Geosynthetics Society (www.geosyntheticssociety.org) has announced its selection of Prof. Richard J. Bathurst, P.Eng., Ph.D., FEIC, FCAE, to deliver the 2014 Giroud Lecture—one of the Society's highest distinctions. Since its first awarding in 1998, the Giroud Lecture has recognized exceptional achievement and influence in the field of geosynthetics and has been delivered every four years at the opening of the International Conferences on Geosynthetics, organized by the IGS. Dr. Bathurst is only the fifth to be bestowed this honor and will present the lecture at the opening of the 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG), Berlin, Germany, 21–25 September 2014. Learn more.

A new, patent pending capping system called LiteEarth™ launched at the international Waterproof Membranes Conference in Dusseldorf, Germany. The system features a single-ply composite of synthetic grass fused with EPDM geomembrane to produce a flexible, durable, one of a kind product for a wide range of permanent closures.

The Layfield Group of Companies has announced the formation of a new business unit: Engineered Membranes & Films (EMF). The move is part of a major capital expansion project at Layfield which includes a new state-of-the-art wide width geomembrane extrusion line. The new line will provide an additional 23 million pounds (10.5 million kilograms) of geomembrane capacity in various widths and thicknesses.

Randy Massingill is now a member of ProTech Environmental Supply, a division of L & M Supply. Randy was first introduced to the erosion and sediment control industry by C. Joel Sprague of TRI Environmental, where together they built and ran a large-scale erosion and control materials and systems testing and research facility. There, he accrued a hands on knowledge of the installation and performance of multiple erosion control devices. Learn more about Massingill's new role.

Solmax, one of the world's largest manufacturers of geomembranes, is currently part of a Canada Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) trade mission to Nigeria and Ghana. The company, along with other Canadian firms across multiple sectors, is traveling with the honorable Minister Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Asia-Pacific Gateway.

During the ASTM D35 meetings in Jacksonville, Florida this week, a special workshop will be held on the current use of AOS in geotextile characterization tests, the availability of a more accurate pore size distribution test via an existing standard, and new equipment that may begin a process of change. Tencate published a technical note on these issues, in fact, in August 2011. Download a copy here.

U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., was welcomed by top executives during a recent tour of Tensar International's Headquarters in Alpharetta, Georgia. During his visit employees were able to discuss industry trends, and learn about a transportation bill that could expand the country's infrastructure.

As reported two weeks ago, organizers for GéoMontréal 2013 have extended the deadline for submission of abstracts to February 1. All interested participants in this event are strongly encouraged to submit their abstracts immediately. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada 29 September – 3 October 2013. Organized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), GeoMontreal provides an exceptional opportunity to interact with the entire North American geotechnical community. The geosynthetics field should play a strong role in this 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference. The theme "Geoscience for Sustainability" ties in with much of the current research and marketing of geosynthetic materials.

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.

Design/Build interests continue to fuel acquisitions in the geotechnical engineering field. Golder Associates Inc., the US subsidiary of global engineering and environmental services organization Golder Associates, announced recently its acquisition of the assets of geo-environmental contracting company InterGEO Services, Inc. This enhances Golder's design/build offerings in the geo-environmental industry in areas that already align well with Golder's core practice including linings and geosynthetic materials, ground improvement, mechanically stabilized earth, and sediment remediation.

American Excelsior Company is entering its 125th year of business success, which is a milestone for any company. Unique to the company's longevity is that it is still making one of the same products it did 125 years ago: "excelsior." In the company's release, a bit of the history of development is included, including the various markets in which it has work. Most readers of Geosynthetica know the firm from its long history in erosion control. Learn more.

Organizers for GéoMontréal 2013 have announced that the deadline for submission of abstracts has been extended to February 1. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel in Montreal, Quebec, Canada 29 September - 3 October 2013. Organized by the Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), GeoMontreal provides an exceptional opportunity to interact with the North American geotechnical community. The geosynthetics field should play a strong role in this 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference, with the theme "Geoscience for Sustainability." Learn more on the event website. Learn more here.;

Founded in 1988 to provide Canada with technical resources for geosynthetics, CTT Group’s Geosynthetics Division, known as SAGEOS, offers innovative R&D services, reliable laboratory testing and independent expertise to manufacturers, engineers and contractors seeking technical answers and solutions for projects that involve geosynthetics. After two decades of continuous growth and thousands of satisfied clients, SAGEOS proudly serves hundreds of customers every year. With about $5 million in cutting edge laboratory equipment spread over 20,000 square feet of laboratory space, and a network of specialized partners, we offer world class, multilingual services in all areas of the world. Learn more about the many tests offered by SAGEOS in support of the geosynthetics field (PDF). Learn more here.;

Organizers for Geosynthetics Asia 2012 (GA2012) have shared a recap from December's event, which marked the 5th Asian Regional Conference on Geosynthetics (GA2012). The theme "Geosynthetics for Sustainable Adaptation to Climate Change" was well-supported by the technical sessions, sponsoring companies, and distinguished speakers. Learn more.

terrafix® is hosting a series of informational geosynthetic engineering sessions through Canada from January – March. Topics include subgrade Improvement, stormwater management, pavement solutions, and structural applications of geosynthetics. Time is reserved for Q&A and lunch at these half-day gatherings. Learn more about sessions and dates here.

Titan Environmental Containment, an IAGI-certified installer and supplier of geosynthetics, is sponsoring a series of educational seminars across Canada this January. Joined by GSE Environmental and Trisoplast, Titan is delivering day-long seminars on "Geo Solutions for the Mining and Heavy Construction Industries." Professional development hours (PDHs) are available to attendees. Learn more about sessions and speakers.

Group CTT and SAGEOS are working with various industries to foster new opportunities and materials with nanotechnology. Just as polymer modifications have expanded the roles and successes of geosynthetic materials, additional surface modifications and treatment of fibers with nano-particles may change geosynthetic performance characteristics significantly and enable new applications. Contact Eric Blonde, eblond@gcttg.com, for more information. Learn more here.;

The Canadian Geotechnical Society (CGS) in collaboration with the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH/CNC) and the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) will host GéoMontréal 2013, the 66th Canadian Geotechnical Conference and the 11th Joint CGS/IAH-CNC Groundwater Conference. The conference will be held at the Hilton Montreal Bonaventure Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, 29 September – 3 October 2013. The theme for GéoMontréal 2013 is “Geoscience for Sustainability.” Abstracts are due: February 1

GSE Holding, Inc. (NYSE:GSE), a leading global provider of highly engineered geosynthetic containment solutions for environmental protection and confinement applications, today held a groundbreaking ceremony at the site of its new manufacturing facility located in the city of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, in China. In addition to company officials, the ceremony was attended by representatives from the provincial and municipal governments and GSE's customers in the area.

RICHFIELD, Ohio - American Environmental Group Ltd (AEG) of Richfield, Ohio, announced yesterday that it has been acquired by Pasadena, California-based Tetra Tech. AEG, which in just 10 years has grown to become one of the largest specialty environmental design, construction, and maintenance companies in the United States, will join Tetra Tech's Remediation and Construction Management (RCM) segment. AEG retains its core leadership and experts, and it will continue to operate under its own name, in line with other construction and engineering-related Tetra Tech companies.