Special Series

Gundle/SLT Environmental, Inc. (GSE), will release its third quarter 2006 financial and operating results on Thursday, November 2, 2006. The Company will host a conference call Friday, November 3, 2006, at 10:00 a.m. (ET). Learn more here.;

Professionals looking for cost effective ways to gain knowledge and earn the credits they need for certification programs have a new option. The International Erosion Control Association (IECA) now offers a complete line-up of webinars to meet a wide range of training needs. “People are busy. We’ve found more and more, people don’t have the time or the budget to travel for training,” said Kim M. Kline, technical resource director for IECA. “But with today’s regulatory climate, professionals need to stay informed of the issues and new techniques. We think webinars are the solution.” The hour-long sessions address topics ranging from water harvesting to low impact development and illicit discharge detection programs. Some topics such as stormwater BMP maintenance and stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) assessment, inspection and maintenance are conducted as a multipart series to allow participants a more in-depth look at the subject. Later this fall IECA will partner with CPESC, Inc. to provide review courses and training for individuals looking to become Certified Professionals in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) or Certified Professionals in Storm Water Quality (CPSWQ). One hour sessions are $65.00, with discounts given to IECA members. Each session will earn a participant 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) or .1 Continuing Education Credit (CEU). All webinar material is peer reviewed to assure quality and accuracy. “IECA prides itself on the quality of education we provide, these webinars are no exception,” said Kline. For more information about IECA webinars or to view a list of upcoming courses, visit the link below. Learn more here.;

An Indian committee working on the expansion of the country's technical textile sector forcasts a 50 percent growth in the next two years. Among the materials expected to gain a much larger market are geosynthetics. The committee includes members from the ministries of defence, home affairs, and environment. India's infrastructure and economy are undergoing rapid change. Learn more here.;

Landfill siting is rarely a calm public process, but landfills are, of course, a necessity. Too often, the safety in their design and engineering is ignored in popular accounts. The Courier Press, however, has published a nice piece on Laubscher Meadows, identifying not just the common issues of reducing waste and finding land for burial but the installation of liners and geotextile cushions that provide vital, long-term support to these facilities. Learn more here.;

For the first time, the 24th issue of the Geoengineer newsletter is distributed to more than 4,000 individually subscribed members! Subscribe to the newsletter to get the latest information from GeoEngineer.org. Learn more here.;

International Newsletters is pleased to announce a new information service to keep you up-to-date with the future of textiles. Smart Textiles and Nanotechnology will provide you, both online and in print, with all the latest news about ways to make ‘functional fabrics’. Find out everything you want to know about: Wearable Electronics, Smart Fabrics, Nanofibres, Nanocoatings, Electrospinning, Shape Memory Materials. Also, keep up-to-date with the latest information about: Company News, New Products, Technology and R&D, Acquisitions, Finance, and People. From the editor: Smart textiles and nanotechnologies are now moving from being the subject of intensive global R&D into fully-realised products made by fast-developing, successful companies. Smart fabrics can help manufacturers and designers with the increased emphasis on lifestyle, aesthetic appeal and form demanded for technological products. Pricing is another driver, with smart-fabric ski jackets costing around $99 rather than the $250+ of a few years ago. Nanotechnology has also made a tremendous impact on functionality and performance. Nano treated textiles with stain and spill resistance and climate control are already available, but they will become capable of much more as the science develops. Smart Textiles and Nanotechnology will be a guide to these fascinating new fields of business, charting all the exciting developments and exploring their implications, while bringing together the latest diverse company and product information in an easily-digested format. I look forward to welcoming you as a regular reader and receiving your feedback. Best wishes, Adrian Wilson, Editor, Smart Textiles and Nanotechnology. Please find attached a short sample of the newsletter. For a free trial subscription simply complete and return the form on page 4.

Geosynthetics 2007 will be held January 16-19, 2007 at the Hilton Washington, Washington, D.C. under the theme: Geo Solutions for the Environment, Transportation and Homeland Security. The Environment Conference is held on the first two days of Geosynthetics 2007, January 16-17, exploring cost-effective benefits and applications for geosynthetic materials in drainage, filtration, containment, stability and a variety of environmental and landscape architecture applications. Engineers, designers, architects, and construction professionals have the opportunity to attend a full-day short course, dozens of technical and educational sessions and visit with more than 75 exhibitors during the largest geosynthetics trade show in 2007. This event provides a wealth of new ideas, applications and solutions for engineering and design concerns. Admittance to the trade show is free Wed., January 17, compliments of Geosynthetics, formerly GFR, magazine. Keynote speaker Dr. David E. Daniel, University of Texas--Dallas, provides the highlight with “Engineering Lessons Learned from Levee Failures in New Orleans” on Wednesday, Jan. 17. Also held in conjunction is the GRI-20 Anniversary Conference, organized by the Geosynthetics Research Institute to address new and innovative applications incorporating geosynthetic technologies for combat and mitigating natural disasters. Visit www.geoshow.info for registration and housing reservations. Discounts are available for groups of four or more, government professionals and students. Please contact IFAI/Geosynthetics 2007 show management at +1 651 222 2508, 800 225 4324 or e-mail geoshow@ifai.com. Learn more here.;

AMCOL International Corporation (parent company of CETCO) will hold a conference call to discuss second quarter results on Friday, 20 October 2006 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern, 10:00 a.m. Central, 9:00 a.m. Mountain, 8:00 a.m. Pacific. Please RSVP for this conference call by calling Terri Cardona at 847.818.7936.

Three leading trade associations and a professional society have entered into a partnership to publish the Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics (JEFF), an electronic publication of original research and advances in fibers, fibrous materials and their components. The American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC) this month joined founding partners INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry; TAPPI, Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry; and The Fiber Society as a sponsor of the Journal of Engineered Fibers and Fabrics. An international, peer-reviewed E-journal that publishes original research on all aspects of fabric technologies and their value chain from raw materials to end use products, JEFF earlier this year replaced the International Nonwovens Journal, the longtime technical publication sponsored by INDA and TAPPI. Reviewed and approved papers are beginning to be posted electronically at http://www.jeffjournal.org and more will be added soon. Two Journal issues are on tap for the later part of 2006, with four planned for 2007. To review manuscript requirements or submit a paper, go to http://jeff.edmgr.com. There are no page charges and reviewed papers are posted on the Journal website as soon as they are approved. The managing editor of JEFF is Bill Haile, who is well known in the polymers, fibers and engineered fabrics community. He can be reached via email at jeffjournal@charter.net. Learn more here.;

Military operations are often insensitive to historic structures and artifacts. But the US Department of Defense Legacy Program is helping train military personnel to recognize items and locations of historical and cultural importance, including through the construction of replica sites. An archaeologist advising the military has helped install geotextile caps over sensitive sites to better protect them. Learn more here.;

The Indian government is encouraging the growth of small-scale industries by further involving private companies in defense contracts. Geotextiles are cited as one of the materials the government hopes to encourage the production and supply of from the private sector. Learn more here.;

Milfoil has become one of the northern United States' most invasive lake plants. In Maine, geotextiles are now being installed underwater to smother the unwanted growth. About 20 years ago, BBA's nonwoven Typar geotextiles were used in a Minnesota pond for a similar plant control project. The water remains clean today. Learn more here.;

Giant geotextile bags are being considered for the creation of an artificial reef to fight erosion at Fletcher's Cove in Southern California. The bags would be anchored to the seafloor and create waves that might be used for surfing. Also under consideration is a systerm of vertically installed polyurethane pipes. Read about it in The Log. Learn more here.;

The IGS (International Geosynthetics Society) at the 8th International Conference on Geosynthetics in Yokohama, Japan, on September 22, 2006 during the IGS General Assembly, awarded GSE Lining Technology the IGS Award for: Comprehensive design guidance for geosynthetic materials. The award citation is as follows…

Stanley is now manufacturing a safety utility knife in which the blade automatically retracts when there is no force on it. Comanco reports a 90% reduction in liner and finger cuts since they have been using them.

DuPont Packaging & Industrial Polymers (P&IP) announced a price increase for its ethylene copolymer product line. Learn more here.;

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation's (PennDOT) water quality management plan has been approved for controlling pyritic rock runoff. A geosynthetic double-liner system is being used. Read the latest on the project via the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's (PennDEP) latest release. Learn more here.;

The Web site for the North American Geosynthetics Society (NAGS) is undergoing some updates. Dave Suits, the society's Executive Director, notes that the site is now accessible through two addresses: www.igs-na.org and www.nags-igs.com. Learn more here.;

Daniel Altman, writing for the International Herald Tribune, addresses the growing role of and need for standards development. Citing organizations like ASTM International and ISO and technologies such as geosynthetics and nanotechnology, Altman's article provides a nice snapshot of the concerns and benefits in global development. Learn more here.;

Have you made your hotel reservation for Geosynthetics 2007? The Hilton Washington has set up an information page for conference attendees. A special room rate will be available through December 15. Learn more here.;

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and road agencies in India are struggling with serious roadway deterioration, much of which is being attributed to road engineers being "only vaguely aware" of newer technologies and materials, such as geosynthetics for improving soils. Educational courses are being designed. Read about it in Mumbai Newsline. Learn more here.;

Geosynthetic product line owners are invited to participate in geosIndex, a global index of ASTM, CEN and ISO-ready product data. The industry-supported site information is available free-of-charge and without registration for Internet users everywhere. For more information, visit the site or contact geosynthetica.net. Learn more here.;

Kelvin Legge, an engineer with the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, has been recognized in the South African press for his recent International Geosynthetics Society (IGS) Achievement Award. The award was presented during the 8th International Conference on Geosynthetics in Yokohama, Japan. Read about Legge in the Mail & Guardian. Learn more here.;

Trelleborg (STO:TRELB), through its Engineered Systems business area, has signed an agreement to acquire the American company Reeves Brothers Inc., with about 1,000 employees and annual sales of approximately SEK 1.4 billion. Learn more here.;

Complete with innovative ideas and ideal networking opportunities, the 4th Annual Storm Water Management and Erosion Control Conference will take place Nov. 16-17, 2006 at the Canad Inn Club Regent Casino Hotel in Winnipeg, Canada. This conference, themed “Dirt + Water = Mud,” has been tailored to meet the needs of all storm water and erosion control professionals. Engineers and designers will learn the latest on erosion and sediment control plan provisions, fish habitat protection, and engineered wetlands. Contractors will learn about the latest equipment, what devices really work, bidding erosion control into projects, and how to protect sites. Construction project managers will learn erosion control method installation, how to stabilize shorelines, and site protection measures. Agency personnel will learn about techniques to restore shorelines, effectiveness of various Best Management Practices, and components of the erosion control plan. Land owners and managers will learn how to stabilize lakeshore property, establish native vegetation, and cost effective erosion control measures. In addition to these focused learning opportunities, conference participants will have access to approximately 12 exhibitors displaying the latest products and services. Discussions with representatives from multiple companies will provide participants the advantage of face-to-face contact with industry professionals, all in one place. “There will be a lot of familiar faces that are known in the industry, national experts, and exhibitors featuring the latest products,” said Mark Myrowich, Vice President of Manitoba for the Northern Plains Chapter of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and Treasurer of the Manitoba Chapter of North American Stormwater & Erosion Control Association (NASECA). “This forum is also a tremendous opportunity to network with others.” Pre-conference on Nov. 15, a Certified Professional in Erosion and Sediment Control (CPESC) tutorial instruction will be offered. Those interested in learning more about this certification process are encouraged to attend this in depth training session sponsored by CPESC, Inc. Those interested in taking the exam should make sure the appropriate criteria are satisfied and complete applications in advance. Additional information on obtaining your CPESC or CPSWQ certification can be found at www.cpesc.org. Organized in cooperation with the Northern Plains Chapter of IECA and the Manitoba Chapter of NASECA, the 4th Annual Storm Water Management and Erosion Control Conference is presented by Resource Professionals Alliance (RPA). For additional information or to register, contact Judy Christenson, RPA, at +1-952-470-0993 or e-mail judyc@rp-alliance.com.