Special Series

East Coast Erosion Blanket offers a free online calculator for proper blanket selection in channel applications. The calculator returnsproduct suggestions and data relevant to the product and the user-entered design parameters (e.g., safety factor, permissable shear stress). A free, downloadable version is available through the company's home page. Learn more here.;

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) offers a CQA Inspector Certification Program. Information about the program is available in January 2006 GSI White Paper #8, and materials relevant to the examination are available on GSI's Web site (see link below). New examination dates have been announced. Learn more here.;

Nonwovens Industry: Reports are emerging that Polymer Group Inc. is set to purchase its rival BBA Fiberweb. According to the Times of London, PGI has fended off competition from private equity groups including Condover and Doughty Hanson to purchase its rival in nonwovens… Learn more here.;

Tim Lancaster, North American Green Inc., and Mark Myrowich, ErosionControlBlanket.com, have prepared a paper about the Erosion Control Technology Council's (ECTC) 14 years of contributions to the field. The paper will be presented on Wednesday, 22 February 2006, at EC06, Long Beach, Calif. Learn more here.;

The Erosion Control Technology Council's (ECTC) latest newsletter features the group's new Web site, which was designed by geosynthetica.net, and a synopsis of an ECTC paper being presented at EC06 written by Mark Myrowich and North American Green's Tim Lancaster. Learn more here.;

Ian Peggs of I-CORP INTERNATIONAL shows several cases of whales in geomembrane liners.

StormwaterAuthority.org, a leading portal of stormwater information and news, announced the launch of a new site with additional services including a syndicated news feed… Learn more here.;

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) reports that the current US budget proposes steep cuts to the nation's Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) library network, an impressive asset used heavily by not only the public but the agency's scientists. The cuts come alongside government mandates for new research into nanotechnology, potable water safety, and air pollution. Can the new research and the solutions that might come of them be realized without the EPA's library resources? Learn more here.;

The executive summary of the Geosynthetics Risk Management and Loss Control Program (GRMLCP) White Paper written by geosynthetica is now available.

The International Erosion Control Association’s (IECA) annual photo contest entries are on display at the IECA Web site. The entries cover four categories (Before and After, EC Bloopers, Technology, Impacts of Erosion) and feature blankets, turf reinforcement mats (TRMs), silt fence, and other measures. As a Cooperating Organization, geosynthetica.net will exhibit at EC06, the IECA's premier event, 20-24 February 2006. Learn more here.;

The magazine In These Times has published an interview with a dangerously errant statement about landfill liners. Geosynthetica.net's Chris Kelsey responds.

Nonwovens Industry reports that Basell is to close its PP technology plant in Pernis, The Netherlands by mid-2007. Learn more here.;

The impact of China on the world textile industry has been enormous, and it will inevitably continue to grow. So anyone who wants to sell into China, buy from China or just compete with it, needs to know the state of the market and, perhaps even more importantly, what is likely to happen over the next few years. But finding out reliable and rigorously researched information on this topic has been difficult and expensive. However, International Newsletters' new report, Natural and Manmade Fibres in China, Hong Kong and Taiwan to 2010 will provide this information in a single, accurate and easily accessible form. Produced by experts assembled by the internationally renowned organization Comité International de la Rayonne et des Fibres Synthétiques (CIRFS), it is now available to non-members of the organization for the first time. In particular, the report examines: • production, trade and consumption of natural and man-made fibres; • production capacities of man-made fibres; • the availability of raw materials; • technologies employed in fibre manufacture; • technical and environmental assessments of fibre plants; • trends in shipments of textile machinery; • production, trade and consumption of yarns and fabrics; • net domestic consumption of textile end uses. Forecasts to 2010 include data on production capacities of man-made fibres and raw materials as well as production, trade and consumption of natural and man-made fibres, yarns and fabrics. In addition, information is provided on the technological factors that are likely to influence future demand for fibres in China P.R., Hong Kong and Taiwan, and on the lastest quotas and trade restrictions applying to Chinese goods. The report includes 78 detailed tables examining production capacities of fibres, yarns and raw materials, exports, imports, machinery installations and consumption patterns, including forecasts of production, trade and consumption to 2010. For a full contents listing please download a brochure by clicking on the link below. Learn more here.;

BECKWITH-BEMIS INC., leaders in polymer coated fabrics and industrial films since 1914, announced Jan 31 2006 another major milestone resulting from the companies’ strategic growth plan: the addition of a new state-of-the-art totally automated Battenfeld-Gloucester 103” wide extrusion line. The new extrusion line will enable greater production flexibility while complementing the existing 76” wide extrusion coating line. The complete Beckwith Bemis production system will provide customers new tools to take advantage of niche market opportunities. Complementing the system is a 4-color roto-gravure printer/laminator with top coating, embossing and slitting capability, winding and inspection capability. Other recent investments include 2 state-of-the-art, fully automated compounding and batching equipment systems and an extensive and full range of laboratory equipment including a new Davis Standard lab extruder. “Equipment such as our wide extruders, multi-feature printers and laminators all have made the use of polymer based coated fabrics and polymer film and sheeting pervasive across many walks of life,” said Blair McIntosh, President & Owner of Beckwith Bemis Inc. “The growing relationship between our valued customers and our equipment capability is a natural outgrowth of this synergy. The Beckwith Bemis Total System Approach is another step in our evolution enabling us to fulfill our goal of providing our customers with quality, speed, value, innovation and the best customer service in the industry.” As a result of these additions, the company is working on a host of new products and services to enhance consumers’ experiences with coated fabrics and plastic film, including new supported and un-supported geomembranes, waterproof marine flooring and specialty products. “Other developments, including new products utilizing our superior width and printing, embossing and top-coating capabilities, are expected to come to fruition in February”, explains Denise Braun, Customer Service Manager. “We are very excited that this equipment technology will help provide next-generation plastic coated fabric, film and sheeting capabilities. The Beckwith Bemis Total System Approach is unique to our industry,” added Jacques Petit, G.M. & V.P. Operations.

In keeping with the company's new activity profile, Parry Engineering and Enterprises Limited has received approval for change of its name to Parry Enterprises India Limited (PEIL). PEIL has under it the Tuflex India division, the general marketing division and Parry Travels. Tuflex India, which is in the polymer business with its foray in Vadodara, markets insect proofing nets under the Radium, Netion, Polynex and Katch brands and shading nets under the Rakshak brand. Other products include protective sleeves, packaging nets, fencing kits, sericulture meshes and geosynthetic products. It has recently made a foray into natural fruit beverages and green tea under the Unif brand and has also launched packaged drinking water in Bubble tops under the Parry brand.

Seats for Asia Mining Congress 2006 are selling out fast! With over 100 delegates on board already, Asia Mining Congress urges you to register now to ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to attend Asia’s leading mining event. Back for a 2nd year, Asia Mining Congress brings you the legislators of 11 countries in Asia to share their current and future political and legislative frameworks. You can also gain practical insights on how you can ride on the opportunities in Asia from mining bigwigs and juniors including Rio Tinto, CVRD, Ivanhoe, PT Freeport and Lafayette etc. With 300+ delegates at our inaugural event, you are guaranteed to be in good company. Here is a sneak preview of who you will meet at the congress: Resource Capital Funds * China Minmetals Non-Ferrous Metals * AngloGold Ashanti Beijing * Sentient Asset Management * PT Weda Bay Nickel * Metso Minerals * Placer Dome Asia Pacific * East Asia Minerals * JSC “Irgiredmet” * GE Infrastructure * Caterpillar Global Mining * Anglo American * Polystar International * SINOM (HK) * Hutti Gold Mines * Shearman & Sterling LLP * Marengo Mining * Alex Stewart (Assyers) *Alhambra Resources * Intertek Caleb Brett. DON’T MISS THIS OPPORTUNITY FOR LEARNING AND NETWORKING! Register now to join us at Asia Mining Congress 2006, held from 27 - 31 March 2006, at The Grand Hyatt, in Singapore. Call us today at +65 63222 770 or visit the link below to sign up now. Learn more here.;

On February 1st, Propex Fabrics Inc. (“Propex”) finalized its acquisition of SI Concrete Systems and SI Geosolutions (“SI”). The merger creates a streamlined organization that is stronger and better equipped to drive success and secure a stable, profitable future for customers, employees, shareholders and suppliers. The combined entity is market driven and dedicated to innovation, service excellence and proactive market development. Ed Stanczak remains CEO and President of Propex. Headquarters will be relocated to Northern Atlanta. Joe Dana, CEO of SI, is now President of North American Operations, with its headquarters in Chattanooga, TN. While Propex has formed transition teams that span across all aspects of the new organization in an effort to accelerate integration of its operations by the end of the summer, its customers have been told it is “business as usual”. For more information on Propex Fabrics, please contact Deron Austin, Director of Marketing, at deron_austin@sind.com or 423- 553-2728.

The Geosynthetic Institute is delighted to announce the availability of an Inspectors Certification Program for Waste Containment Systems, i.e., landfills, impoundments, closures, and related facilities. It is available for geosynthetic materials and/or compacted clay liners…

geosynthetica.net is pleased to welcome Christopher Kelsey, formerly the Editor of GFR Magazine, as a Consulting Editor. With his knowledge and skill geosynthetica.net will step up its already rewarding efforts to educate and promote the proper use of geosynthetics. Chris will be authoring articles for non-geosynthetics focused "user-based" publications in an effort to increase the exposure and interest in geosynthetics by traditional and non-traditional user groups.

Sponsored by Terrafix, this annual symposium provides a forum for the dissemination of information amongst engineers, research workers, designers, users, contractors and manufacturers. This is an opportunity to meet and listen to international leaders and innovators in the geosynthetic industry

The soil in the Cayman Islands can make road building difficult. Peat depths exceed six feet in some areas. Often, the peat layers are stripped and replaced with aggregate. To keep down costs of the Cayman's $100 million highway expansion plan, geotextile solutions are being tapped to allow new roadwork without needing so much soil excavation… Learn more here.;

Geotextile separators have gained a mention in an 18 January 2006 article at railwaypeople.com. The British site profiles the design of the Netherlands' new 100-km-long, high-speed train line connecting Amsterdam with the Belgian border. Research in Leichtenstein showed that geotextiles would provide the necessary friction relief between the coarse substructure and the track's slab. Learn more here.;

ASCE has appointed David E. Daniel, Ph.D., P.E., M.ASCE, the chair of an external review panel authorized by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld as part of a federal study of the New Orleans levee failures in the aftermath of Katrina. Learn more here.;

The Sioux County project was a U.S. Highway 60 bypass of Alton, part of a four-lane extension north from Sioux City and Le Mars to the Minnesota border. It utilized lightweight Geofoam --- large lightweight bricks of highly compressed foam sealed with plastic geomembrane liners. Learn more here.;

ATME-I2006 (American Textile Machinery Exhibition - International) will open Oct 31 - Nov 3, 2006 at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA. Learn more here.;