Ground Improvement

ASTM International has announced its candidates for the organization's 2010 Board of Directors. Nominees were selected by the Nominating Committee. ASTM International's active members, such as participating members of Committee D35 on Geosynthetics, will receive voting instructions and biographies in the September/October issue of Standardization News. Also, along with electing the 2010 Board of Directors, ASTM members will be asked to recommend candidates from the ASTM International membership to serve on the 2011 Nominating Committee. Read the nominee list here.

Dennes Bergado writes on the forthcoming symposium "Geotechnical Engineering, Ground Improvement and Geosynthetics for Sustainable Mitigation and Adaptation to Climate Change including Global Warming." A list of speakers has been released and is contained in Dr. Bergado's write up. Of note, more than 30 technical speakers will be part of the event. They are coming to the conference from more than 15 countries. Also, a comprehensive technical exhibition will accompany the discussions. The symposium takes place 2-3 December 2009 in Bangkok, Thailand.

Research and Markets has announced the addition of Textiles Intelligence's new report "Global Technical Textiles Business Update, 1st Quarter 2009" to their offering. The report includes a summary of market conditions, acquisitions, business news, and much more. Geosynthetic demand is expected to reach 905 million square yards by 2012.

Freedonia has published its latest geosynthetics market update: Geosynthetics to 2013. The survey includes analysis based on 38 companies and multiple world markets. Expectations show global demand for geosynthetics increasing 5.3 percent annually through 2013. China will account for the largest share of new global demand as it continues to develop large-scale infrastructure and erosion control projects. North America will remain the second largest regional market. Geogrids will achieve the fastest gains. Learn more here.;

East Coast Erosion Blankets, LLC, a leading manufacturer and global supplier of erosion control blankets and sediment control devices, has updated the company website to allow users to quickly access company and product information. The revised website features comprehensive information on East Coast's full product line in multiple languages. Key specification and industry information regarding rolled erosion control products (RECPs), large-scale testing, National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP) approval and more is readily available. 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. Learn more here.;

ASTM International Committee F17 on Plastic Pipe will hold a symposium titled "Plastic Pipe and Fittings: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow" on 9 November 2009 in Atlanta, Georgia. This symposium is the third in a series, the objective of which has been to report on the current status of important aspects relating the technology and standardization of plastic piping systems with a focus on their relationship to current applications. It is the first symposium gathering since 1994. Registration opens soon. Learn more at the event website. Learn more here.;

Reminder to our readers: the January 2009 CE News webcast on "Hydraulically-Applied Mulches: Proven Erosion Control Performers" is still available on the CE New website for viewing and for obtaining Profession Development Hours (PDHs). The presentation features TRI/Environmental's Joel Sprague and North American Green's Gabriel Weaver and Jill Pack. Revisit this taped webcast and get credit today. Learn more here.;

Net profit second quarter well over € 13 million. In advance of the publication of the half-year figures on Wednesday 26 August 2009 and on the basis of provisional results, it is announced that net profit for the second quarter fell back by approximately 26% compared with the second quarter of 2008. With a stringent cost reduction policy and a tight liquidity management, as of 30 June 2009 TenCate remained well within the covenants agreed with the banks. The debt / EBITDA ratio improved compared to the previous quarter to approximately 2.5 (covenant 3.0). Read more.

The contentious Site 41 landfill development in Barrier, Ontario, Canada has reached a highly unusual stage: a physical blockade of protestors. The site workers were on the brink of installing a clay and geosynthetic lining system, but work has had to be halted because of the protests and the timeline for construction is thinning considerably. It's costing the community roughly $80,000 per week. Learn more here.;

From coal ash disposal to landfill cell construction to mining processing controls, we're seeing renewed activity in the role regulation is playing around the world for ensuring the right envrionmental protection technologies are in place. Peter Garrett, the Australian government's Mininster of Environment, Heritage and the Arts, has issued a media statement on stringent, exemplary protections being implemented at a new uranium mine in South Australia. It's an appropriate addition to discussion, especially as global markets show signs of life and long-term mining forecasts are beginning to edge up.

In many areas of the world, and especially in India and southeast Asia, coir geotextiles are being adapted for erosion control and low-intensity separation applications. The principles behind the use for soil stability and revegetation are the same as with standard geosynthetic geotextiles and erosion control blankets, though coir cannot survive long-term, higher impact installations. But the knowledge gained in wider coir use may open the door to geosynthetic use in growing infrastructures and economies. One example of where this is being explored is in the Indian state of Kerala, where officials are pushing to revive its coir industry with significant erosion control use. Learn more here.;

Schools in Yakima, Washington are capping arsenic-contaminated soils with geotextiles and clean fill. The contaminated soils were discovered in playground areas and are the remnants of orchard pesticide use decades ago. Learn more here.;

Many Civil Engineers wish to use natural vegetation as a means of erosion protection. To enable engineers to do so while also offering reliable protection in the vulnerable period when vegetation is still developing, Colbond has introduced a new product: Enkamat J. Enkamat J combines for the first time a standard polyamide Enkamat with a biodegradable fabric stitched to it.

The winners of the New Zealand-based National Bank Young Farmer of the Year contest have been announced. Twenty-nine-year-old Tim O'Sullivan, who also operates Canterbury Environmental Liners, was one of the seven awardees. Within its product line, Canterbury distribures Firestone lining materials. O'Sullivan has successfully combined a dairy operations background with his geosynthetic lining business. Congratulations on the award, Tim! Learn more here.;

The Charleston Gazette out of West Virginia has posted a new entry in its sustainability and environmental watch blog. This time around, the blog includes notes on changes expected to be made in pit fluid storage rules. Changes include: requiring all pits used to store contaminated water from drilling to have synthetic liners; forcing operators to remove all solid wastes, including liners, during reclamation of pits and impoundments; new design and construction standards for these pits; and requiring inspection of the pits by a registered professional engineer. Learn more here.;

Messe Frankfurt, organizers of the Canadian Waste & Recycling Expo and TechTextil's European and North American conferences, has announced the Mexico Waste & Recycling Expo. The inaugural event will be held 10-12 March 2010 in Mexico City, Mexico. Key subjects will include composting systems, construction and demolition, infrastructure, operations, and more. Learn more at the event website. Learn more here.;

The early registration deadline for GeoHalifax 2009 is 17 July 2009. Full conference registration includes membership in either the Canadian Geosynthetics Society (CGS) or the International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH) - Canada National Chapter (CNC). Take advantage of the preferential pricing and membership offer. Conference fees increase $100 after 17 July. Secure registration for this 20-24 September 2009 (Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada) event is available online. Learn more here.;

EcoInform has announced dates for the 7th Cooperation for Waste Issues forum. It will be held 7-8 April 2010 in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Papers are being solicited through 1 December 2009. Key topics sought include environmental issues of waste management, new technologies, landfill construction and operation, sludge management, waste to energy, and more. Learn more at the conference website. Learn more here.;

The Quality Data Oversight and Review (QDOR™) program has launched a new website: www.qdor.org. There you will be able to find everything you need to use the QDOR program. The website includes items for the specifier, government regulator and the manufacturer of rolled erosion control products. The website offers the QDOR Guidance Manual, suggestions for how to incorporate QDOR into specifications and a list of frequently asked questions about the program.

Americhem, Inc., a global provider of custom color and additive solutions for polymer- based and synthetic-fibers products, recently introduced nDuramax™, an advanced family of high-performance UV stabilizers. The product line includes a new UV stabilizer solution for PET fibers that offers significantly improved weathering compared to traditional technologies. The sectors for which these UV stabilizers may be used include geosynthetics. Learn more here.;

The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) is looking for innovative and enthusiastic members that have the vision to help lead IECA to new levels of success. Please consider running for the IECA Board of Directors. If you are interested in serving and have questions, please contact Executive Director Russ Adsit by email at russ@ieca.org. Learn more here.;

IndustrialCOOP.com, a division of the Industrial Leaders Group announced today the release of its new marketplace of canvas fabrics and other textiles for the industrial marketplace. The company reported the site was created to provide direct and indirect offerings for an array of wools, yarn, cotton, polyester, burlap, nylon cloth, cotton twills and other textiles for industrial applications.

Applied Market Information's (AMI) 8th annual Polyethylene Films conference will take place 18-19 March 2010 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event will include Resin 2 Revenue’s Blown Film Symposium. Preferable pricing is available through 24 September 2009. View the brochure in PDF for registration information and the call for presentations. Learn more here.;

The U.S. EPA has identified the hardrock mining industry as its priority for developing financial assurance requirements. Financial assurance requirements help ensure that owners and operators of these facilities, not taxpayers, foot the bill for environmental cleanup. These requirements will be developed under section 108(b) of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, commonly called "Superfund." EPA plans to propose the rule by spring of 2011. The agency will publish a notice of this priority in the Federal Register, which is the first step toward developing the requirements.