Soil Reinforcement

SIBUR contracted acquisition of 50% share in the charter capital of BIAKSPLEN LLC, one of the largest Russian manufacturers of biaxially oriented polypropylene film (BOPP). BIAKSPLEN's production facilities include three plants located in Nizhny Novgorod, Kursk and Moscow Regions. The aggregate capacity of BIAKSPLEN product lines is 87 kta. In 2008 BIAKSPLEN consolidated sales reached RUR 3.9 billion. Read more about this acquisition.

Geneva-based Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets (SIFEM) agreed to participate in a $100 million fund to buy distressed small and medium-sized assets in Egypt, the fund's sponsors said on Thursday. Projects in the fund's pipeline include "geotextiles, automotive assembly, cosmetics, logistics, food processing, specialty glass and pharmaceuticals," Egypt's Citadel Capital said. Learn more here.;

At the absentee meeting of shareholders of SIBUR Holding JSC it was decided to issue additional common shares in the total amount up to RUR 9 billion for shareholders SIBUR Holding JSC intends to issue up to 3,469,545 additional common shares. The estimated charter capital of the Company upon issue of the above number of additional common shares is supposed to increase to RUR 43,569.58 million. "Shareholders supported the current plans of the Company's organic growth through creation of new and upgrade of existing facilities", Alexander Dyukov, the Chairman of SIBUR Holding JSC said. "The owners of SIBUR find investing in petrochemical projects very promising".

Plastics Technology has changed its long-running monthly resin pricing column. The editors will now focus on "benchmark" grades of the four main "commodity" resins: polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. The content of this article each month will be based on analysis of global feedstock, resin, and economic trends by resin purchasing consultants at Resin Technology, Inc. (RTI). RTI's input will add new "suggested action strategies" section for resin buyers. Also, a new pricing chart, based on data gathered by Plastics Technology, now focuses on the market prices of just the benchmark grades of commodity resins, supplemented by the latest North American short-term futures contracts from the London Metal Exchange (LME) for benchmark grades of LLDPE and PP. Learn more here.;

The newest IGS News is available! Volume 25, No 3 from the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) contains a message from IGS President Fumio Tatsuoka; another excellent report from Jorge Zornberg, this time on IGS in the Americas; reports on IGS meetings and actitives, including an announcement of an IGS Photo Contest to coincide with the soon-to-be relaunched website; 2010 IGS elected positions candidates; conference reports; chapter news; and much, much more. Read the latest in PDF today. Learn more here.;

The latest issue of GIGSA News from the Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa is available. This issue includes stories on geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), GIGSA Award Winners, a GeoAfrica 2009 report, liquid geosynthetics, GCLs in landfill applications, what not to do with GCLs, and indext testing. GIGSA is the South Africa Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS). Read the issue in PDF here.

Land and Water Magazine's Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) if hosting a webinar on 3 December 2009: "Online Marketing Webinar for Erosion and Sediment Control Industry." The webinar will show you how ESCN.tv can help you communicate one-to-one with your target audience. They note, "We will review how we measure engagement and demonstrate how this medium enhances branding, communication, and lead generation." Learn more. Email Kim Kline at kimlandandwater@gmail.com. Learn more here.;

The Board of Directors of AMCOL International Corporation has appointed Ryan F. McKendrick to the position of Chief Operating Officer of AMCOL effective 1 January 2010. Mr. McKendrick has been with the company for a total of 25 years. For the last 11 years he has led AMCOL's Environmental segment, including serving as President of CETCO. The Board of Directors of AMCOL has appointed Bob Trauger to replace Ryan as head of AMCOL's Environmental segment and serve as President of CETCO. Mr. Trauger has been with CETCO since 1991, most recently serving as Vice President, Engineering and International Development. Learn more.

500,000 engineering and manufacturing workers will be needed in the coming eight years to satisfy demand in the transport, construction, aerospace and defence industries, according to EngineeringUK. Learn more here.;

A system of infrastructure accounting is urgently needed to keep track of what is needed and where, accordint to the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE). Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) has worked with various Congressional figures over the past few years on key issues in the United States infrastructure. One area in which GMA has been particularly active is in bringing proper coal ash containment technologies to the attention of legislators. A new letter from GMA Executive Director Andrew Aho helps illuminate this issue and the exemplary work GMA has done. Representatives such as Heath Shuler (R-NC) have taken notice and are working diligently to improve Congressional awareness of this much-needed environmental protection. Read a letter from GMA and one to the EPA.

Beligum-based COPRO, which is heavily involved in product certification (e.g., CE Marking), testing, site inspection and more has moved its main office. You may now reach COPRO at Z.1 Researchpark, Kranenberg 190, B-1731 Zellik (Asse), Belgium. Contact numbers are +32 (0)2 468 00 95 and for fax +32 (0)2 469 10 19. , Learn more here.;

Nylex (Malaysia) Bhd, a dominant player in the chemical, plastic and polymer business, is planning various strategies to boost its financial performance. Nylex is mainly involved in investment holding and the manufacture and marketing of vinyl-coated fabrics, calendered film and sheeting, and other plastic products, including geotextiles and prefabricated sub-soil drainage systems. Learn more here.;

By developing a cost-effective, rapid and highly sustainable solution for the Brigg Line embankment in Lincolnshire, Arup and Network Rail, with Tensar International and support services and construction company Carillion, have demonstrated a reinforced soil retaining wall approach using geogrids cast into in-situ reinforced concrete wall facing units that can be used to solve similar challenging problems all over the world. Read more.

A culvert on the bridge on Comox Lake Road in Cumberland, British Columbia was compromised during a flood last week--leaving 60 residents on evacuation alert. But emergency repairs were approved and the work should be completed with 72 hours. Wing walls have been erected and geotextiles and geogrids have been installed to reinforce and stabilize the structure. Learn more here.;

SIBUR has begun implementation of the SCM - Supply Chain Management project aimed to save logistical costs, optimization of the raw and finished products stock level, and improvement of client service. The project provides for centralization of management functions of the supply chains starting from purchase of the fresh raw materials and ending with delivery of the finished products to its end users. The whole process is supposed to be entirely automated by integrating of the existing autonomous software products into a uniform SCM IT-system.

The Dow Chemical Company, a leader in science and technology, launched its new Dow Construction Chemicals business at the 4th Annual Middle East Drymix Mortar Association (MEDMA) Conference, taking place in Dubai on November 25. The conference is staged during Big 5, the region's leading building and construction show. The new business unit brings together the construction expertise of Rohm and Haas and Dow Wolff Cellulosics to offer in-depth technical knowledge and effective formulation development experience to manufacturers of building and construction products around the world, supported by dedicated facilities for Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Learn more here.;

The Dow Chemical Company announced today the formation of Dow Construction Chemicals a new business within the Dow Advanced Materials portfolio that combines certain capabilities of legacy Rohm and Haas Company, acquired in April of 2009, and legacy Dow Wolff Cellulosics, formed in 2007, to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to manufacturers of building and construction products around the world. Dow Construction Chemicals offers deep, broad technology platforms and extensive application know-how in acrylic, redispersible latex powder, and cellulosic chemistries. The business is focused on providing additive and formulation solutions to manufacturers of construction products such as elastomeric roof coatings, external insulation and finish systems (EIFS), specialty cements, insulation, caulks and sealants.

Abstract submissions are still being accepted for the 2nd Global Waste Management Symposium through 1 December 2009. Proposed topics for the 2010 GWMS include: facility design, climate change, leachate management, waste containment, energy recovery and much more. Learn about it here.

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has opened exhibit booth space sales for Geo-Frontiers 2011 (13-16 March 2011, Dallas, Texas). The event brings together IFAI, the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and the Geo-Institute (GI) to co-organize this second Geo-Frontiers, the first of which was held in 2005. View the floor plan for exhibit space here. Learn more here.;

Unsafe road traffic conditions in the countries of Europe and Central Asia (ECA)* have tremendous adverse implications for their economic and social well-being, says a World Bank report released today. Treating road safety victims is imposing an increasingly unbearable burden on these countries' health and social services. Road traffic injuries are a major cause of death and disability, affecting young and working-age groups of society in particular, and ECA countries need to act now to prevent injuries and save lives, suggest World Bank experts.

The ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics meeting in San Antonio, 27-29 January 2010, will feature important new events: Geocell Standardization Exploratory Meeting; Shear Strength Test Result Interpretation; Subgrade Reinforcement; and a Workshop on Geosynthetic Material Durability: Field and Laboratory Experiences. Learn more about these special events.

In a major bid to go global, Reliance Industries Ltd., the giant Indian energy and materials company, made an offer of around $12 billion to take a controlling interest in Lyondell Basell Industries when the chemical maker exits bankruptcy, people familiar with the situation said. Learn more here.;

Reliance Industries Ltd.'s bid for bankrupt chemicals and fuels maker LyondellBasell Industries AF will be "positive" if India’s largest company pays less than $12 billion, brokerage CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets said. Learn more here.;

The cost of protecting Reliance Industries Ltd.’s debt from default rose after the refiner and energy explorer controlled by billionaire Mukesh Ambani bid for bankrupt chemicals and fuels maker LyondellBasell Industries AF. Learn more here.;