Thursday, March 11, 2010
Geo-Florida 2010 Event Report
The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Geo-Institute held its annual event in West Palm Beach, Florida 20-24 February 2010. And I am very pleased to report that the event was vibrant with a broad range of activity and healthy level of attendance. One of the remarkable characteristics of this event was the diversity of both attendee specializations and subject matters covered. Every facet of industry and academia seemed to be represented by the 850+ attendees. The 3.5-day technical program was so completely full that at times it was difficult for attendees to choose which of the sessions to attend.
Read more from Elizabeth Peggs.
Busy Days for Kaytech
The African geosynthetics industry, and particularly South Africa's experts, took center stage last September during GeoAfrica 2009, which was the first African regional conference on geosynthetics. One of that region's main players is South Africa-based Kaytech, a wide-ranging manufacturer and distributor of materials for road construction and maintenance, drainage and filtration, erosion control, waterproofing, separation and reinforcement.
Kaytech is growing steadily in the international market, both from its headquarters and through expanding its involvement elsewhere.
China Erosion Forum Facilitates Access to the Chinese Market
A group led by International Erosion Control Association (IECA) members Tony Chu and past president Doug Wimble is planning the "Shenzhen Environmental Protection Industry Development Forum" with both local and national Chinese governmental and environmental agencies. The forum will bring together Chinese government officials, leading Chinese erosion research institutes and erosion-related companies to network and develop strategies to assist the Chinese government in further addressing the country's environmental issues. It is hoped that the event will generate momentum to form an IECA China Chaper.
Read more.
Bowers Leaving Geo-Institute for New ASCE Position
After 13 years as the Director of the ASCE's Geo-Institute, Carol Bowers is departing…for another position within ASCE. Bowers is taking a fantastic new challenge in transferring to a newly created position within ASCE for the creation of a Sustainable Infrastructure Rating System. The project is just getting underway--Geosynthetica will keep you posted as the program develops. In the meantime, Carol is overseeing projects and keeping a hand on the Geo-Institute until such time as her successor is named. Applications are being accepted for this position. We congratulate Carol on her new endeavor and look forward to seeing the rating system develop.
See the Director job posting on Geosynthetica's Employment page.
SOIL Fund Raises Money at EC10
The Charitable Fund of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), Save Our International Land (SOIL), held a silent auction at EC10. The auction raised $4650 and featured unique items generously donated by members with all proceeds benefiting the SOIL Fund. The grand prize item was a Tommy Silt Fence Machine donated by Tom Carpenter, CPESC, which went to Jules St. Laurent for $3000.
And it's not too early to get involved with EC11! The annual international gathering will next take place 20-23 February 2011 in Orlando, Florida. Learn more at the EC11 website.
New Compounding World Issue
The latest issue of Compounding World magazine is now available for viewing on-line. The March 2010 edition is available free and in full. This issue includes articles on polymer distribution strategies; developments in antioxidants; the inside story on extruder design; concerns over RoHS revisions; nanotubes are the talk of Tokyo; Chemtura shifts its focus; and more.
IECA Chapters Recognized for Excellence
Located throughout the U.S. and in 6 other regions of the world, the Chapters of the International Erosion Control Association (IECA) are instrumental in providing the erosion and sediment control community with education and networking opportunities through regional conferences, workshops, field days, newsletters, websites and other services.IECA is proud of the following Chapters for their achievements.
Continued.
Geosynthetic Centre of Excellence Launched
From Australia: Parliamentary Secretary for Innovation and Industry Richard Marles has launched a $2.4million research centre that will investigate ways to contain potentially hazardous leaks from mine waste, domestic tips, tank farms and dams. Australian manufacturer Geofabrics Australasia has privately funded the centre, which will test the chemical reactivity, UV resistance and friction properties of materials used to line waste facilities.
Read more.
Final Call: Concrete Protection Liner Abstracts
At the Geo-Frontiers 2011 conference, there will be a technical session on Concrete Protection Liners co-chaired by Ian D. Peggs (icorp@geosynthetic.com) and Peter Dimaio (peterd@aks.co.za). All those working on tunnels, wastewater treatment basins, process chemical containment, or any other aspect of concrete protection using geomembranes or thicker polymeric sheet products, are invited to submit abstracts through 8 March 2010.
Learn more.
ESCN Update
The latest episode of Land and Water's Erosion and Sediment Control Network (ESCN.tv) is available. This week's episode includes news of ESCN's partnership with the International Erosion Control Association (IECA), a look back at EC10 (IECA's annual conference, which took place recently in Dallas), an interview with Michael Robeson of Profile Products on the company's product testing and approval, and a "Tip of the Week" from Alex Zimmerman on "The Importance of Being Educated."
Watch it online today.