Ground Improvement

Plastemart has published something of a mashup on the waterproof membrane market based upon the presentations planned for the forthcoming Waterproof Membranes 2009, 19-21 October 2009, Duesseldorf, Germany. Some highlights: John Nash of Applied Market Information (AMI), based in the United Kingdom, has just completed a study on the market; Dow will discuss market expansion; the International Green Roof Association will speak; and geosynthetica's Chris Kelsey will speak about flexible solar cells in geotechnical applications. Learn more here.;

The North Bay Business Journal, which serves San Francisco and the surrounding Napa and Sonoma Valleys, has mentioned Indiana-based North American Green in a round-up of green business news. NA Green's Santa Rosa-based supplier Stevenson Supply Co. was recgonized by NA Green in the company's 2009 Distributor Case Study Competition. Stevenson supplied 4,000 sq. ft. of turf reinforcement mats (TRMs) to replace concrete in a drainage ditch project. Learn more here.;

Artificial turf has evolved significantly from the old, hard AstroTurf. Today, hyper-modern synthetic grasses are installed, and not just in professional sports stadiums. They are also being adapted for public parks and recreation fields. The synthetic turf saves municipalities a tremendous amount on water and maintenance needs. Geosynthetic companies such as TenCate have applied their knowledge of polymeric products to help revolutionize this sector. Learn more here.;

Despite a weak current construction environment, the demand for pipe is expected to grow by 2% a year to 3.35 m (11.1 billion feet) in 2013, according to the study, Plastic & Competitive Pipe, released by the Cleveland-based industry research firm group, The Freedonia Group Inc. This growth will be a direct result of renewed activity in the construction sector, the growing obsolescence of sewer and drainage systems, and needs to upgrade municipal water systems. Learn more here.;

The summer lecture series at Yestermorrow Design/Build School in Warren, Vermont includes a 19 August 2009 presentation on "Beyond Compost: Advanced Uses of Compost and Geotextile Materials." The interestingly-named Buzz Ferver will discuss compost and geotextile materials for stormwater treatment, urban gardening, "living" retaining walls, greenroofs and more. Learn more here.;

TenCate™ Geosynthetics introduces Mirafi® MiraGreen™ D for site drainage applications for engineers and architects committed to designing environmentally sound projects. Mirafi® MiraGreen™ D is a nonwoven drainage geotextile comprised of 30% (LEED calculated) recycled content. TenCate™ has developed, through extensive research, a uniquely reliable product that reduces dependence on virgin petroleum based resins. Read more in the release.

The Australian Centre for Geomechanics (ACG) has a number of interesting, international events and deadlines coming up. Geosynthetics may play a significant role in a number of the mining discussions facilitated by ACG. Also, the Centre has now developed individual websites for more of its events, making the key information easier to come by. Further, ACG is associated with numerous other events around the world. Read a breakdown of the forthcoming events.

Cell-Tek Geocellular Confinement Systems are made with 100% recycled HDPE strips that are expanded to form honeycomb-shaped geocellular grid. The grid is filled with gravel, soil or aggregate. Though these systems have been commonly used in construction and landscaping for load support, earth retention, erosion control, channel revetment and slope protection, we're now finding them used in green roofs.

Amec Environmental is involved in the PCB cleanup project of the New Harbour dumpsite near Trinity Bay, Newfoundland, Canada. During a public meeting on June 11, Amec representatives said that a second liner may be needed to properly close the site. Learn more here.;

UK-based Electrokinetics, which combines geosynthetic and electrokinetic technologies for drying out soils, was launched five years ago out of research and development work conducted at Newcastle University. The company has made its first major deals now and is very close to turning profitable. Electrokinetics has also received extra funding to further refine its technology. Plans are being made to export the technology. Learn more here.;

Applied Market Information (AMI) will host "The Middle East Plastics Industry Strategy Seminar" on 19 October 2009 in Cologne, Germany. This event has been offered twice already in 2009. This next session is your final chance in 2009 to take part. With an estimated 15 million tons of additional polymerization capacity coming on line in the Middle East in the next three years, the region stands to become a major plastics processing center. Will geosynthetics be part of this boom in production? How will the Middle East's growth affect global markets? The one-day seminar aims to tackle these subjects. Download the PDF brochure. Learn more here.;

Solmax International announced that all European customers will now benefit from a 7-day grace period free-of-charge for on-site deliveries (DDP). All fees due to merchandise pick up delays will be covered by Solmax for up to 7 days for deliveries transiting via Liverpool, South Hampton, Anvers, le Havre and Hamburg port. Read more about this benefit. Learn more here.;

We've seen the number of geotextile tube projects growing, particularly for beach protection and renourishment. Major projects have been announced in India, Nigeria, Grand Isle (Louisiana, USA), etc. Now, in Surfside Beach, Texas, officials hope to host a Texas General Land Office (GLO) demonstration project using submerged, sand-filled geotextile tubes. Learn more here.;

Arab Water World, which covers water, wastewater treatment, canal lining and other markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), now offers its issues in PDF. Visit the magazine's website--www.awwmag.com--to register for free. A PDF link is included below (but free registration may be required). Learn more here.;

Pipe and Profile Extrusion is a bimonthly digital magazine from Applied Market Information (AMI), a leading provider of market intelligence and events for the global extrusion markets. The magazine is distributed electronically to the producers of plastic pipes, tubes and profiles around the world. Access to the magazine is free-of-charge and readers can download pages as PDFs for printing, storage and sharing. Read the issue online today. Learn more here.;

The Minnesota Erosion Control Association (MECA) is planning its 2010 Annual Erosion Control and Stormwater Management Conference and Trade Show. The event will be held 11-12 March 2010 in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Organizers seek presentations of two types: local projects completed for stormwater management or erosion and sediment control; new innovative products for stormwater management or erosion and sediment control. Abstracts and titles are due by 31 July 2009 to meca@mnerosion.org.

Arab Construction World, which covers multiple construction markets in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, now offers its issues in PDF. Visit the magazine's website--www.acwmag.com--to register for free. A PDF link is included below (but free registration may be required). Learn more here.;

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has extended the compliance date for all facilities and established a new compliance date for farms subject to the oil Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) regulations. This final rule is part of EPA's multi-phased strategy to address concerns with the SPCC regulation. Specifically, this SPCC rule amendment extends the dates by which the owner or operator of an SPCC regulated facility or farm must prepare or amend and implement an SPCC plan to 10 November 2010.

Creating a new company called Tuberias Tigre-ADS Limitada will combine ADS corrugated pipe and Tigre's mining, solid wall pipe to expand sales of both products in South America. The financial arrangements of the new joint venture were not disclosed.

ADS also announced that it has reached agreement to acquire the assets of Century Plastics, Inc. of Hayfield, Minnesota. Century manufactures corrugated high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic pipe used mainly for agricultural drainage systems.

ADS has announced plans to open two new manufacturing facilities in Canada, one in Ontario and one in Quebec. "We are making this significant investment in these two plants to capitalize on the growth opportunities we see in Canada," stated Mr. Chlapaty. "We realize that to be considered a major player in the drainage pipe business, we need to be producing our pipe locally, and these two plants are proof that we are serious about being a Canadian producer of HDPE pipe.

TenCate™ is pleased to announce the appointment of Lancer Textiles as Master Distributor for the Industrial Fabrics division effective immediately. Lancer Textiles' role as Master Distributor will be to service those TenCate™ customers that may not be able to meet the minimum order quantity requirement, who typically buy small quantities, who order infrequently and to fulfill special converting needs and requests, such as slitting, re-rolling, etc.

Tensar International recently installed a magnetic fuel treatment system from Maxsys to one of their gas-fired, steam-raising boilers. The project has reported cut gas consumption by 5.78%--a considerable financial savings in the manufacturing process and an admirable environmental benefit. Also, extensive analysis by the Blackburn-United Kingdom facility's chief engineer has found that boiler efficiency has improved by 5.46%. Read more in the release.

The Dallas City Council has approved $29 million for a levee damage study and transportation improvements. The levees have been treated with erosion control measures, but significant improvements are thought to be needed, including reinforcement and internal seepage control. Learn more here.;

The Times of India reports that villagers in Candolim are working with a water resources department on a 1.5-km-long beach erosion control project that will use sand-filled geotextile tubes. Monsoons have caused considerable erosion in India this year, and increasing the country is turning to geotextile tubes to provide better protection. The project is expected to cost Rs 6 crore (USD $1.27 million). Learn more here.;