CTT Wins Government Award
The CTT Group, which provides a wide-range of services to textile, geosynthetic and polymer industries in Canada, has been awarded a $125,000 grant from the Government of Canada for the development of a technology roadmap for the Canadian textile industry. The funding has been provided by two sources: Canada Economic Development and Industry Canada.
PVC Book from ChemTec
ChemTec Publishing announces the publication of PVC Degradation and Stabilization by George Wypych. The 448-page book comes from one of the field's primary chroniclers and contributors--he's worked in this sector for a few decades--and addresses what has been one of the largest questions of PVC science: stabilization. Read more about the book here.
TenCate Forecast
Despite difficult global business conditions for polymeric product companies, Netherlands-based Royal TenCate NV has announced that its full-year earnings per share will rise at least 10 percent. TenCate Geosynthetics, based in the United States, is a subsidiary.
Learn more here.;
ASTM Yarn Program
ASTM International's Proficiency Testing Program provides companies with a statistical quality assurance tool that enables them to compare, improve and maintain a high level of performance in the use of ASTM methods with other laboratories worldwide. The deadline for participation in the Yarn & Thread Program is at the end of June. For the program schedule and fee information, download the PDF.
Learn more here.;
Double Digit Growth
Texas Tech University (TTU) has forecasted double-digit growth for India's technical textiles industry. The report, titled "India Rising: Opportunities in Nonwovens and Technical Textiles," shows the growth and potential of India’s industry from 2007-2050. Two of the four main sectors of particular growth interest appear to be are geotextiles and agrotextiles. TTU has organized the 5th India-based ATNT 2008 event to explore this market.
Learn more here.;
Not Sexy But Important
At an International Erosion Control Association (IECA) event in Wichita, Kansas, Rich Basehor of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment discussed how Kansas and sediment runoff affects the Gulf of Mexico. As the Newton Kansan paper's writer notes, the topic isn't sexy, but it is important. Basehor's case underscores how individual communities can alter a great deal beyond their immediate borders.
Learn more here.;
Deadline: Geosynthetics 2009
Geosynthetics 2009, the next in the long-running biennial series of Geosynthetics conferences, will be held in late February 2009 in Salt Lake City. The deadline on the Call for Abstracts and Proposals is fast approaching! Send your proposals to the conference organizers by 2 June 2008. The conference theme is Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering. For more information, see the Call's page online.
Learn more here.;
Amcol In the Spotlight
Though it's known in the geosynthetics field mostly for its successful line of geosynthetic clay liners (GCLs), CETCO's parent company, Amcol, is involved in an extremely diverse line of businesses. Ted Pincus, writing for the Chicago Sun-Times, examines Amcol's breakneck growth. In related news, CETCO Oilfield Services made an acquisition yesterday.
Learn more here.;
Renewable PE
Brazil-based company Braskem SA says it has created the first certified linear PE made from 100% renewable raw materials. The material was created through the development of technology using biobutane.
Qatar's Geomembrane Output
In the United Arab Emirates, a polymer park has been established with the goal to produce and export polymeric products, including geomembranes, rather than only petroleum. The same movement is happening in nearby Qatar. The Qatar Petrochemicals Complex is being setup in Doha. Thirty percent of the ownership will be South Korean. One of the main products produced will be geomembranes.
Learn more here.;
Mid-East Capacity Increases
Modern Plastics reports that at the 23rd World Petrochemical Conference in Houston (April 2008), a representative of Chemical Market Associates forecasts a doubling of Middle Eastern ethylene capacity by 2012 to meet global production demands, including in geosynthetics manufacturer.
Learn more here.;
Update: GeoAfrica 2009
The Geosynthetics Interest Group of South Africa (GIGSA), a chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (IGS), has posted an updated First Announcement regarding GeoAfrica 2009. The conference will be the first African regional conference on geosynthetics and will be held 2 - 4 September 2009 in Cape Town. Visit GIGSA or view the announcement PDF for more information.
Learn more here.;
In Search of a Superfund Label
A top environmental official in California is pushing for a Rialto site to be designated as a Superfund site, due to extensive percholate pollution concerns. The 160-acre site hosted defense contractors and fireworks operations for six decades. California would dearly welcome the federal cleanup dollars now. Water cleanup and replacement aid has already been requested.
Learn more here.;
EC Education Online
Erosion Control Blanket offers a suite of educational videos on its website. The video player plays within ECB's site--so no download necessary--and offers information on erosion, BMPs, installation practices, ECB tools, tricks & tips. Watch them online.
Learn more here.;
IECA Papers Online
The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) has posted papers from its EC08 event online for members to download. Visit the IECA home page and look under news for the link "EC08 Conference Proceedings Available Online for IECA Members."
Learn more here.;
IECA Abstracted Papers Available on geosynthetica.net
A short review and the abstracts from the International Erosion Control Association's Annual Conference are now available online.
Update from New Orleans
The United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure have presented five potential designs for storm surge protection at Lake Borgne. The gate and levee protection system would guard the Industrial Canal. Geotextiles and earthen levees are a leading design candidate.
Learn more here.;
National Public Works Week
The American Public Works Association (APWA) will hold its National Public Works Week May 18 - 24. APWA encourages public works agencies and professionals to take the opportunity to make their stories known in their communities. Look for APWA's top ten professionals in public works list too. A "how-to" guide of action for the week is available through a series of pages at the association's website.
Learn more here.;
BSI's 2008 Eurocodes
The British Standards Institute (BSI) has published its 2008 Eurocodes Brochure. The multisection PDF addresses structural concerns in building such as geotechnical testing and construction in seismic zones. View the informational document here.
Learn more here.;
The "P" Word Is Dead
Perhaps the hottest topic in California legislation this year has been the proposed peripheral canal. Even the word "peripheral" became a term one might object to. The ambitious, $4 billion bonding bill that would have run a canal around the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta and delivered water to Southern California has been shelved. More reports are still expected; but for now the water conveyance scheme is dead.
Learn more here.;
New from NA Green
North American Green has introduced the HydraCM Bonded Fiber Matrix, the mid-level product in the company's HydraMatriCx line of straw/cotton-fiber, hydraulic erosion control products.
HydraCM was developed in cooperation with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Cotton Incorporated. Learn more in the PDF release.
BCH Update – Newsletter
The latest newsletter from India's Business Coordination House (BCH) is available. The current issue includes a short article on the promise of geotextiles in the country's boom construction industry, economic and market statistics, and news of an October geotextiles seminar. Download the newsletter here or visit the BCH's website for more information.
Learn more here.;
Bega Valley Considers Reef
Australia's Bega Valley is spending considerable time discussing new development opportunities. Particular attention is being paid to sustainability and how to keep sustainable issues in the minds of its residents going forward. One of the many suggestions for development includes a geotextile reef for the promotion not only of surfing but beach restoration.
Learn more here.;
ASTM Update: Sediment Retention Devices
A system that can be used to test and compare sediment control products has been approved as a new ASTM International standard by Committee D18 on Soil and Rock. The standard, D 7351, Test Method for Determination of Sediment Retention Device Effectiveness in Sheet Flow Applications, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee D18.25 on Erosion and Sediment Control Technology.
Learn more here.;
ASTM Update: New D18 Chair
Ronald J. Ebelhar, senior principal at H.C. Nutting Co. (a Terracon Company) in Cincinnati, Ohio, has been named the new chairman of ASTM International Committee D18 on Soil and Rock. The 900-member committee is responsible for more than 350 standards published in the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.
Learn more here.;
