Soil Reinforcement

Leaders from Nantucket, Massachusetts' Sconset Beach Preservation Fund (SBPF) are taking another swing at gaining public approval for a much-needed beach protection design. Two years ago, a $23 million proposal was rejected. Now, the group has returned with strong but economical geogrid marine mattress and gabion plan. Learn more here.;

Environmental Connection 2011 (EC11), annual conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (EC11), brings together the industry's best and brightest for a week of industry-leading education, networking and access to the largest expo hall of its kind. Early registration deadline is 10 December 2010, so register now to secure the best price and reserve a seat for some of the most in-demand education. Download a registration form today. Learn more here.;

A Te Puna community group has saved Tu Koro Island in the Waikaraka estuary near Auckland, New Zealand. The island was eroding from wave action. Plans to halt the decline began more than two years ago. Today, the island is protected by 90 geotextile bags which are stacked up to four high and backfilled with harbor sand. The preservation group, Nga Tahatai o Te Puna, expects the design life to be about 100 years. Learn more here.;

Engineers investigating the raw water reservoir in Fremont, Ohio have discovered some karst. Among other effects, karst can cause seepage, piping, and instability. The engineers' report from Arcadis recommend a composite liner system (HDPE or LLDPE geomembrane and GCL) across the entire slope, protected by geotextile and cover soil, and geogrid reinforcement. The city has roughly one year to complete the reservoir project and must now seek approval to alter the design and include a lining system. Learn more here.;

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.

Environmental Connection 2011 (EC11), annual conference and expo of the International Erosion Control Association (EC11), brings together the industry's best and brightest for a week of industry-leading education, networking and access to the largest expo hall of its kind. Early registration deadline is 10 December 2010, so register now to secure the best price and reserve a seat for some of the most in-demand education. Learn more about the training courses, technical sessions, exhibit hall, hotel and travel.

From January 2011, Ian Fraser, will succeed Hein Jas as Tensar International's Director of Application Technology. Ian Fraser will lead the company's development of new and existing markets as it seeks to speed the adoption of geosynthetic materials in construction projects. Currently Vice Chairman of the UK Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society, he represents the IGS on The Ground Forum and is leading the Working Party on the Development of a Minimum Standard for Geotextile Separators in the UK. He is also involved in the development of a Code of Practice for Use of Geosynthetics in Asphalt via the Road Surface Treatment Association.

During a 27 November 2010 gathering at the Gujarat Centre of The Institute of Engineers in India, numerous speakers, including government ministers, presented case studies and information on geosynthetics. The event focused on the beneficial impact of polymeric materials on infrastructure. DNA India reports that participants included government agencies and industries, manufacturers and academics. Areas discussed involved roads, water conveyance and storage, erosion control, and more. Learn more here.;

Pipelines International has published an article on its website regarding the construction of pipelines in rainforests. Among the many recommendations is the need for geotextiles or other geosynthetics to ensure access road stability. The soils at most of these sites do not have good load bearing capacity. Geosynthetics provide that support and allow dependable pipeline construction. Learn more here.;

UK-based Electrokinetics, which combines geosynthetic and electrokinetic technologies for drying out soils, was launched in 2004 out of research and development work conducted at Newcastle University. Last year it announced is was nearing the turn to profitability. In a November 26 article titled "Rise in Fortune…", the company reports that its technology is being considered for potential sludge drying at the source, in order to prevent storage disasters such as occurred in Hungary. When an aluminum slag cell failed two months ago, it flooded a Hungarian town, ruined infrastructure, and killed eight people. Learn more here.;

With two of its most senior people, Chris Jenner and Hein Jas, retiring at the end of this year, Tensar International's commercial director John Kiely unveils the succession plan: "Knowing that Hein and Chris would be retiring we have had plans in place for some time and are pleased to have two Tensar personnel of immense experience and talent to replace them." Chris Jenner, who headed the technical design side of Tensar International in a 25 year career, handed over the role of Chief Civil Engineer to Chaido Doulala- Rigby (Yuli) almost 12 months ago. Hein Jas hands over the role of Director of Application Technology to Ian Fraser from January 2011.

During the 31st German Geotechnical Society (DGGT) biennial "Baugrundtagung" conference (3-6 November 2010, Munich), one of the geosynthetics field's most-respected colleagues was elected the new chairman of DGGT: Prof. Dr.-Ing. Georg Heerten. NAUE congratulates him on this honour. In this new leadership role, Prof. Heerten succeeds Prof. Manfred Nussbaumer, who has provided outstanding guidance to DGGT over the past eight years. Prof. Heerten's election comes at an interesting time. In 2014, the DGGT is planning to co-locate its main geotechnical conference with the 10th International Conference on Geosynthetics (10 ICG) in Berlin, Germany.

While coal ash facility design has been all the talk, there are other challenging sites in need of re-evaluating the environmental security of. The Geosynthetic Research Institute (GRI) has published its White Paper #18: "Geosynthetic Lining Opportunities at Uranium Mill Tailings (UMT) and Low Level Radioactive Waste (LLRW) Facilities in the USA." It's a cursory but fascinating snapshot of the extent of base liner, capping systems, and affiliated geosynthetics potential for these critical containment sites. From environmental protection to slope stability, the incorporation of geosynthetic technologies could be as beneficial here as they already are (and already are required) for municipal solid waste (MSW) facilities. Read the six-page white paper, with a break down of some facility scopes, here (PDF). Learn more here.;

Effective Monday, November 22, Tensar Corporation and its principal business unit Tensar International will consolidate their headquarters locations to operate more efficiently. The move, which takes the companies to the Northwinds development in Alpharetta, Georgia, ends more than a decade of separate locations within a business park in Atlanta's Northern Perimeter area. Read more.

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.

LyondellBasell (NYSE: LYB) today announced that Bhavesh V. (Bob) Patel has been named senior vice president, Olefins & Polyolefins-Europe, Asia and International (EAI), with additional responsibilities for licensing and catalyst sales, effective immediately. Patel will succeed Anton de Vries who has departed from the company. Read more.

Effective 1 January 2011 Colbond will raise prices 6-10% in Europe and Asia for their entire product range due to the continued escalation of raw material costs. Similar price increases will be implemented in North America. The company is in the process of informing customers. The company states that the need for price increases has been further reinforced by rising manufacturing components and transportation costs, which have also escalated with no downward trend projected for the foreseeable future.

Register for the International Erosion Control Association's (IECA) EC11 by December 10 for the best rates. Don't miss your chance to attend industry-leading education, the largest expo of its kind and networking opportunities all at the world's largest soil and water event. EC11 will take place at Disney's Coronado Springs Resort, Orlando, Florida, 20-23 February 2011. Learn more here.;

The Emirates News Agency (WAM) has published an article regarding the opening day of Geosynthetics Middle East 2010, an important conference that not only has been co-organized by SKZ and BMC Gulf but is taking place under the patronage of Abu Dhabi Municipality. WAM reports that strong attendance has kicked off the event and that discussions have tied together nicely with the Emirates' move toward sustainability and continuing the trend of adopting newer engineering technologies. Learn more here.;

The National has published an article about the opening day of Geosynthetics Middle East 2010, currently taking place in Abu Dhabi. The article quotes speaker Abdul-Sattar al Mashhadani, a Landscape Expert with the Parks and Recreation Facilities Division of the Municipality of Abu Dhabi City. He stressed the importance of sustainability and water conservation in the UAE. Learn more here.;

Penton Media's 2010 Global Waste Management Symposium (GWMS) announced today the results of its most recent symposium. An international forum for the presentation of peer-reviewed applied and fundamental research and case studies on waste management, held October 3-6 at the JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa, GWMS was deemed a success despite the current economic environment.

The International Erosion Control Association's membership voted to re-elect Julie Etra, MS, CPESC and Tom Williams, MA, CPESC to the 2011 Board of Directors. Joining Etra and Williams to the 2011 Board of Directors is new board member Beth Chesson, CPESC, CPSWQ. Chesson will begin her term in February alongside fellow Board members Julie Etra, MS, CPESC, Philip Handley, REM, CPESC, CESSWI, Lee Johnson, CPESC, Sandy Mathews, Rick Morse, CPESC, Brock Peters, CISEC and Tom Williams, MA, CPESC.

Strata Systems, a division of Glen Raven Technical Fabrics (GRTF), is honored to announce that GRTF has received certification to test geosynthetic fabrics from the Geosynthetic Accreditation Institute (GAI) -- Laboratory Accreditation Program. This distinguished certification makes Glen Raven's laboratory located in Glen Raven, NC now one of about three dozen laboratories in the world that has been accredited by GAI to perform tests on tensile and weight properties of geosynthetics (ASTM D4595, ASTM D6637, and ASTM D5261).

Under the patronage of Municipality of Abu Dhabi City, the 3rd International Conference "Geosynthetics Middle East 2010" is taking place in the capital city Abu Dhabi on 9th and 10th of November 2010. Organized by the leading Plastic Institute SKZ Germany in cooperation with its local partner BMC Gulf, the conference is expected to become the biggest event on Geosynthetics in the Middle East and is attracting industry experts worldwide.

Tensar International Corporation has introduced GlasGrid® TF (Tack Film) into the United States, Canada and Latin America markets. GlasGrid products, in use for more than two decades, are manufactured by Saint-Gobain Technical Fabrics (SGTF), a global leader in construction reinforcement solutions. The introduction of GlasGrid TF is the culmination of five years of company research, testing and development. Read more.