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

Timothy L. Lancaster Appointed President; Steve Elliott Promoted to Vice President of Administration and Finance. North American Green, the nation’s largest manufacturer of rolled erosion control products, recently announced the promotion of two senior executives, a move designed to further strengthen the company’s mission of being the ‘Leading Supplier of Erosion and Sediment Control Solutions’ in the world.

Published by Thomas Telford, the latest issue of Geosynthetics International (volume 12 issue 6) contains six technical papers.

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.

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.

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.;

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.

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.;

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.