Containment

Mexico is considering ramping up shale gas production to support its petrochemicals sector which has traditionally used feedstocks based on crude oil, the country's energy minister said on recently. Although the prolific shales of Texas are believed to extend across the border into northern Mexico, littlehas been done to develop the deposits due to the state-controlled industry's focus on producing crude oil. Learn more here.;

The battle against global warming may turn out to be a boon for a California industry long targeted by environmentalists -- dairies. Green engineering is taking off in agriculture with the help of technologies such as methane-harvesting digesters with geosynthetic covers. David Albers, president of the 2,800-cow Vintage Dairy in western Fresno County, is also part of BioEnergy Solutions, a company utilizing geomembrane covers for power-converting systems. They are hoping to raise money to create a network of 40 dairies plugged into the grid. Learn more here.;

An amended release on the 2008-2009 GSI Fellowships awards is now posted. One of the research topics was incorrectly listed in the original release.

At the Gala des Affaires de Drummondville (Quebec) on 1 November, the Drummond Chamber of Commerce and Industry recognized the knowledge and achievements of the Drummond RMC (Regional County Municupality) business community. SOPREMA earned two top award. First up was recognized with a Napoléon Award in the "Manufacturing Enterprise with 75 or more employees." And then: the much-coveted "Prix Distinction" was awarded to SOPREMA. The award is the Drummond RMC's award for Enterprise of the Year. Geosynthetica warmly congratulates the company on these well-deserved achievements. Learn more here.;

Two years ago, Geofabrics® engaged a leading consulting firm, Parsons Brinckerhoff Australia (PBA), to test a range of geotextiles sold by various companies in Australia and to report independently on whether those geotextiles met with the published specifications about them. The independent testing samples involved at least six grades of geotextiles per supplier. The variations in the data are intriguing.

Carlisle Energy Systems' Ron Sturgeon presented in May 2011 at the Solid Waste Association of North America's (SWANA) 40th annual Western Regional Symposium. His talk introduced the audience to the beneficial impact of an exposed geomembrane cap with solar energy-generating capabilities (the Spectro PowerCap system). Download Sturgeon's presentation (PDF).

Residents along one of central Auckland’s busiest streets are preparing to fight plans that will see it dug up twice in a year. Residents of Curran St are less than impressed by plans to dig up the road to lay a watermain after an $800,000 upgrade in January 2009. That upgrade installed geotextiles for stabilization, but the trench work would have to slice through the cloth, undermining that protection. Learn more here.;

Terram, a Fiberweb plc company, is pleased to announce the next phase of their development strategy with an order being placed for a brand new, state-of-the-art Needlepunch geotextile line. The investment of over six million euros, follows the acquisition of Boddingtons and Tubex by Fiberweb and the formation of a specialist Geosynthetics Division which includes the Terram business, and represents the largest single investment in new technology for the Geosynthetics business.

CG/LA Infrastructure LLC, the world leader in infrastructure project identification and development, announced today the release of the Top 100 Global Strategic Infrastructure Projects. The total estimated value of the projects identified is nearly US$550 billion. The Top 100 List is released prior to the 3rd Annual Global Forum (New York City, 9-11 December 2009).

Downoad Sika AG's Half Year Report 2010 in PDF.

Bloomberg News is reporting that Earthjustice and 11 environmental groups have notified the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that they intend to sue the agency to force it to issue regulations for the disposal of coal ash. The agency has waffled for the past decade on whether to regulate coal ash disposal at all, though more recent policy discussions would suggest some sort of regulation is forthcoming. Even regulated as non-hazardous waste, it could compel the utilization of geosynthetic barrier systems on the federal level, such as are required for municipal solid waste landfills. Learn more here.;

A bill introduced by Tony McConkey to the Maryland State House of Delegates would make geosynthetic liners a necessity for any site at which fly ash is dumped. The bill has come about after fly ash from coal burning was disposed of at an unlined site. That disposal resulted in widespread well contamination. The bill also requires leachate drainage management and protective caps. Learn more here.;

SKZ's Geosynthetics Middle East conference series continues with this year's event scheduled to take place in 19–20 November 2012 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The Rocco Forte Hotel Abu Dhabi has been announced as the venue, and once again the conference will be held under the patronage of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. The international speakers, forward-looking issues, and strong UAE support have helped establish this event quickly as the leading event on geosynthetics in the Middle East. The call for papers has now been issued. Abstracts are invited through 20 August 2012. Read about the THEMES here.

TenCate has entered into an agreement to purchase the geosynthetics activities of Emas Kiara Industries Berhad, a publicly listed company based in Rawang, Malaysia. This transaction will provide TenCate Geosynthetics with a significantly larger position in the supply of geosynthetics solutions to the Southeast Asian markets. The purchase is expected to be finalized in early 2011. Emas Kiara Industries is an important full-line producer and supplier of a wide range of geosynthetic products and solutions with primary focus on the Asian markets. This addition of the Emas Kiara production capabilities, employees, and product brands will significantly strengthen the position of TenCate Geosynthetics activities in this rapidly growing region of the world.

Calling the first year of the massive Fox River cleanup process a surprising success, project officials said progress made in 2009 could shorten the $700 million project by an entire year. Geosynthetics are playing a significant role in dewatering and capping. A 10-mile section of the river is being cleaned of PCB contamination stemming from decades of paper mill operations on the water. Learn more here.;

The use of geosynthetic clay liners--GCLs--in engineered barrier systems has broadened substantially. Part of this growth has been fueled by a long record of successful performance. And, as with...

Russ Adsit, the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) Executive Director, has posted an invitation on YouTube to EC12, which will take place 26-29 February 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Learn more here.;

Environmentalists this week expressed fears that Venice would face an increased risk of flooding if plans to expand the Italian city’s port are allowed to go ahead. The city’s port authority wants to develop a huge facility for bulk carriers. Learn more here.;

The Geo-Institute (G-I) is one eight specialty institutes organized by the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) to facilitate networking, knowledge transfer, and professional development. The Geo-Institute is dedicated...

The GeoME Awards were held at Geosynthetics Middle East 2015. While the event was the 7th in the annual series, it marked the first time for the GeoME...

TenCate Geosynthetics has appointed Paul Firrell (44) as new managing director Europe, effective 1 January 2011. Mr Firrell has vast experience in the geosynthetics industry, including 18 years with GSE Lining Technology Inc., manufacturer of geosynthetic liners and related products and services. Here he was Managing Director of the company's EMEA and Russian operations and also held the role of Group Chief Operating Officer of the global business.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released $6.3 million more for brownfields cleanup projects across 14 states. Read the release for details on the signing of the Small Business Liability Relief and Brownfields Revitalization Act.

Warning for Exhibitors and Participants: The Exhibition Management, the German Geotechnical Society and the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) have been made aware of a service provider named Exhibition Housing...

The first of three CUGR reservoirs is the 843 acre R-2 basin. When completely filled it can contain more than 9 billion gallons of water! The water will be pumped from the Scioto River by 4 vertical turbine pumps, each capable of pumping 40 million gallons of water per day through the 20,000 foot long, 72 inch pipeline from the pump station to the reservoir. The reservoir is being lined with 37 million square feet of 40 mil polypropylene geomembrane liner fabricated and installed by EPI.

ASTM International Committee D35 on Geosynthetics has honored Samuel R. Allen, vice president of TRI/Environmental Inc. in Austin, Texas, with the ASTM Award of Merit and honorary title of fellow. The Award of Merit is the highest ASTM honor for distinguished service and outstanding participation in committee activities. Read more about this well-deserved award.