Special Series

Eastman has developed several new high-quality, environmentally responsible specialty polymers, including Eastar Bio Copolyester 14766. Eastar Bio copolyester is a biodegradable traslucent polymer that can be blown or cast into a tough film, spun into fibers and netting, or injection-molded when combined with other materials. According to the company, the product fully degrades to CO2, H20, and biomass. Within 60 to 90 days in an active microbial environment, the polymer (in thin0film form) becomes invisible ot the unaided eye and ultimately biodegrades. Practical applications include limited service-life products such as yard and leaf bags and geotextiles. The company touts the light weight of Eastar bio copolyester bags, which hold up under wet conditions, as well as their dart and tear resistance, heat-sealability, and the product's soft texture. The thermoplastic resin contains no migratory plasticizers, fillers or additives and leaves no harmful residues. For more information visit: htpp://www.eastman.com

Results of liner leak location surveys

INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabric Industry, Cary, NC, has released 2000 Analysis: The Nonwovens Industry in North America, which provides a comprehensive, up-to-date look at the field of nonwovens. The report offers an overview of North American nonwovens' consumption (valued at $3.8 billion in 2000), a study of the roll-goods markets by end-use, information and long-life market, goetextiles, a look at the state and changing positions of nonwoven processes (needlepunch, spunlace, etc.), and a review of the year's top 10 roll-goods producers. INDA offers a discounted price to its members. For more information, contact INDA, P.O. Box 1288, Cary, NC 27512, 919-233-1210, website: http://www.inda.org

IFAI's Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) is a unique consensus-building organization that promotes the technical and economic benefits of geosynthetics to the user community and, in turn, assists in building stronger civil infrastructures in a cost-efficient manner. Since its inception, GMA has focused on developing cost-effective, yet innovative ways to reach new and existing markets for geosynthetic materials and concepts. For more information, contact Danette Fettig: drfettig@ifai.com, website: http://www.ifai.com

Andrew Russo has been named national sales and engineering manager for the company's Engineered Membranes Division, Peter has been promoted to national sales manager for Cooley Sign & Digital Products, Elise Varone has been named national accounts manager and Mary Varao has been named account manager.

A Market Survey and Analysis, market size, historical data, forecasts to 2004, market shares, company profiles, and competitive information. Included in the table of contents are: Polyethylenes, Polypropylene, Industry sources of Information, Directory of 1503 Plastics Companies and Cross Reference. Also available in cd rom or book are: Adhesives and Sealants USA (2/00) and Packaging USA (6/97). Visit http://www.impactmarket.com for ordering information. Learn more here.;

PVC Geomembrane Institute Tech Notes this month discusses a new Brown Bag program being designed by the institute for Engineering students. University of Illinois student working on the durability of PVC geomembrane for his Ph.D. If you would like to read more about these topics or to receive the Tech Notes e-news letter monthly please e-mail: pgi@ce.uiuc.edu

Effective July 2, 2201 ACASPA's new details are: Level 1, 141 Chapel Street, St. Kilda, Vic 3182, Telephone 03-9593-9733, fax 03-9593-8033, Email: acaspa@alphalink.com.au, Web: www.acaspa.com.au, National Number: 1-300-555-787. Please update your records

Call for Papers for the International Symposium on Clay Geosynthetic Barriers, April 16-17, 2002, in Nuremberg, Bavaria. The abstracts must be sufficiently detailed to allow the experts to assess the scientific and technical merit of the proposed paper; especially the relevance of the results obtained and the contribution they make towards advances in the application of Clay Geosynthetic Barriers and the related system in which they function. These papers must be related to original, previously unpublished work and must not be of commercial nature. Papers are to be written in English. Deadline for receiving abstracts: August 21, 2001, Decision of Organizing Committee sent to authors: September 30, 2001, and Deadline for receiving completed papers: December 15, 2001. The aims of this International Symposium on Clay Geosynthetic Barriers is to offer an opportunity for exchanges on a high scientific and technical level between experts in the various disciplines related to Clay Geosynthetic Barriers., The conference will be the ideal occasion to obtain on overview of the multiple applications of Clay Geosynthetic Barriers in all fields of use.

The worldwide industrial nonwoven business and manufacturing units of BBA Nonwovens have been integrated to form the Industrial Nonwovens Division, which will be based in Old Hickory, TN. The six global business units within the new division include Construction and Agricultural Products; Industrial Products; and Technical Specialties and Filtration. BBA will focus its industrial operations and more effectively exploit its synergies and global opportunities in the industrial nonwovens area. BBA Industrial Nonwovens GmbH, part of BBA Nonwovens, has expanded its line of filtration media. The "UltraFlo" range of filtration media now includes new melt blown offline SMS, offline TMS (Typar/Tekton, melt blown, spunbond) and pure high quality spunbond products. Also new are needlefelt nonwovens and high electrical conductivity products.

One of the earliest environmental developments of our profession, is that of geosynthetic design within the waste industry. It is fair to say that we have a long history of both design, and component development in landfill engineering. War against pollution has led to the development of geosynthetic products and a whole genus of landfill engineering. As an industry, however, are we becoming complacent? During the 70s and 80s, as landfills were developed to stricter standards, materials were designed and improved, and ways of testing and ensuring quality were developed. In those halcyon days it seemed that we were all united against one common enemy - pollution. We had all seen the dire results of poorly designed tips and despite the ever-present legislature (in the form of the pre-EA regulatory bodies). I believe that as an industry we were as innovative and forward thinking as any. Why are we too frightened to continue in the same way? Is it because the level of development in the manufacturing industry has reduced? This may be, but one thing is sure, this is only because the market place is not as demanding. It is a fear of being innovative that concerns me. As engineers, we are supposed to push forward the frontier of our industry. To develop better ways of doing things, we do not take risks, but experiment in a controlled way to improve our understanding and ultimately reduce risk. We are not setting new and exacting standards, but allowing the commercial practitioners to control specification and markets for pre-existing products. In this environment 'recyclable' is still seen as somewhat poor and second-rate. How are we to recover the innovative days of the 70s and 80s. We need to develop an environment of development, of openness to new ideas and, above all, to insist that we have not solved the problem. We are frightened, that, to admit that we can do better will brand us as unprofessional in what we did ten years ago. Whilst a site license issued in the 80s might has insisted on a particular specification, it is nonsense to limit ourselves to historical engineering detail. Whilst a fear of litigation is probably at the root of most risk avoidance strategies, we should look at the USA (a highly limitative environment). Many use geosynthetic products from the USA - a market not afraid to continue the development of better, if more expensive solutions. Two things are destined to destroy our industry: the fear of innovation and "value" engineering. The first prevents the development of new ideas: the latter continually reduces prices and quality. Perceived quality can remain the same in a static market, but the actual quality reduces.

ASTM's Proficiency Test Program for Plastics Testing (Polyethylene). The polyethylene testing program is conducted biannually with testing conducted in September 2001 and March 2002. Melt Index, Density, Ash and Color. Participate in the 2001 - 2002 Programs. Provide your labe with a statistical quality assurance tool to improve and maintain lab testing performance. Provide a consistant foundation of performance that your customers and data users can rely on. Compare your results with other labs worldwide. Samples, test instructions and data report sheets are distributed during the beginning of each test month. Labs are given approximately five weeks to conduct tests and return data to ASTM. Final summary reports are mailed to participants approximately one month following the receipt deadline of test data. For More Information of for Mid-Year Registration contact: Anne McKlindon or Helen Maguire at (610) 832-9682, or fax (610) 832-9668 or visit http://www.astm.org/statqa/

There continue to be a number of instances where there is a misunderstanding between installer and contractor or contractor and owner about the amount of geomembrane that should be paid for in a lining system. This should be clearly spelled out in the project specifications. The installer should be paid for all material used to make the installation, including seam overlaps, anchor trench material, repair patches, penetration boots, destructive samples and patches, and trial seaming material. The easiest way to do this is to determine the amount of material delivered to the site and to subtract the amount of useful material removed from the site. The next simplest is to measure the accumulated length of each panel removed from a roll. The CQA firm can keep such records in conjunction with the installer. However the most common method is to reference the area of the horizontal projection at a specific level of the facility, typically the top of slope. It then is the responsibility of the installer to incorporate factors for the anchor trench and the other items. The horizontal projection should be surveyed at the start of the project for initial estimates of cost. A final survey of the installed liner would also be appropriate. The anchor trench material can easily be calculated with material from the top of slope to the front of the trench, down the trench, and across the bottom. Material should not be folded in the bottom of the trench. The CQA firm should ensure that material is not billed up the back of the trench but only installed to the bottom of the trench. The anchorage of the liner in the trench is a critical part of a properly designed lining system. A waste factor of 10 to 12% might be allowed for a typical rectangular facility with slopes of 10%. Both anchor trench and seam overlaps will account for about 3% each, slope gain for 1 to 3% and 2 to 5% for the remainder. More complex shapes will require larger waste factors. If horizontal seams are not allowed on slopes the waste factor could be as high as 20 to 30%. Clearly, the answer to the problem is make sure that all parties understand the basis of measurement, so that an appropriate bid can be placed by the installer, and so that all understand on what area payment will finally be made. Installers should not assume that if they put qualifying statements in their bid others will take note of them. Confirm that a statement such as "area of material laid" does or does not include overlap and patches etc. Remember, the person who wrote the specifications or the contract probably does not appreciate the finer details of liner installation.

The Gas Technology Institute (Gas Research Institute) has moved. The new address is 1700 S. Mount Prospect Road, Des Plaines, IL 60018-1804. This is a good resource for information on the performance of HDPE: material, different HDPEs, welds, lifetime, causes of failures. Http://www.gastechnology.org (some fees may apply)

GEOTrac Rapide is working on a test method to evaluate all of the impressions on test surface from the cylinder test, in order to avoid subjectivity in visually identifying the three deepest impressions for measurement. Russ Tebay also has equipment to measure the hydraulic conductivity of GCLs under a confining pressure and high water pressures.

Stuart McMutrie has left Nylex to pursue a new life as the Marketing Manager of a leading semi-trailer manufacturer in Melbourne.

Geo Plastic would like for their own manufacturing needs, to purchase on regular bases (spunbond fabrics 1,0 oz/sq. yd.). If you have anything similar, plese send them your prices for this product and samples to: Geo Plastic International, 1560 N. Prospect Avenue, Suite 607, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax #: 414-298-1542.

The UK Environmental Agency held a seminar titled "Landfill Engineering for a Brighter Future" to launch nine new Technical Guidance documents, five of which involved geosynthetics: 1. Geosynthetic Clay Liners, 2. Geomembranes, 3. Geotextiles, 4. Geomembrane Protection using the Cylinder Test and 5. Geophysical Testing of liners. All of these documents will soon be available on the EA web site on www.geosynthetica.net. Additional documents in the development stage include Quality Assurance, Permeability Testing, Impermeable Pavements, and Leachate Management. Bernard Myles made a presentation on BSI/CEN/ISO standards and strongly emphasized the legal requirements for engineers to comply with specifications established by CEN for the different geosynthetics used in different applications. The days of individual unique specifications are gone. Ian Peggs commented on international experiences with geomembrane performance, demonstrated the importance of SCR and OIT measurements for HDPE specifications, and introduced the Material Durability Factor. David Hall outlined the capabilities of the LandSim Release 2 computer model for assessing leakage from a landfill and its subsequent characteristics. Release 2 is also capable of handling a double composite lining system. Neil Dixon and Russell Jones made a concise presentation on the intricacies of interface shear strength measurements and the lessons learned from a number of waste and soil slippages around the world. The importance of dealing with "during-construction" conditions as well as final operating conditions was emphasized. Approximately 100 people attended the seminar, organized by Rob Marshall, at the Manchester University Conference Centre.

Brazil, Apr 18, 2001 (Gazeta Mercantil/SABI via COMTEX) -- Bidim, a company from BBA Nonwovens is reporting a 12% annual growth in the Brazilian market. In 2000 it claimed R$35mil turnover while in 1999 it reached R$29mil, and in 1998 R$25mil. According to its CEO in Brazil Mr Carlos Caldeira the company is investing to expand capacity at its plant based at Sao Jose do Campos, Sao Paulo state, which was acquired by Rhodia Ster in 1997 for R$40mil. For 2001 the plan is to destinate R$12mil for equipment acquisition. It will allow to increase production by 36%. It is currently estimated at 7,000 m tons per year. Bidim expects to reach R$37mil turnover in 2001. The Brazilian nonwoven textiles market is estimated at 100,000 m tons per year. Copyright (c) 2001, South American Business Information, All rights reserved

North American PP operating rates are expected to begin an uptick later this year, climbing from the low 80s in percentage to the mid-80s and staying there through 2002, according to Chemical Market Associates Inc. analyst Graham Harris in Houston. In North America alone, capacity has increased 30 percent since 1999, including almost 2 billion pounds this year from expansions by Dow Chemical Co., Formosa Plastics Corp. USA and others. North American PP prices have fallen steadily since mid-2000, and producers have seen little success with 3 cent-per-pound increase attempts that were slated for Feb. 1.

High feedstock cost and slowing demand have highlighted the risks of the polyethylene market, leading some industry consultants to expect a decline in prices and profitability through the first half of 2002. With prices for natural gas - which provides the ethane to produce 70 percent of North American PE - at double their historic levels, producers are in a bind, even though they've raised prices successfully an average of 8 cents per pounds to date in 2001. Factoring in slower-than normal PE demand, courtesy of a slowing U.S. economy, darkens the picture even further for PE makers. Those conditions have led Howard Rappaport, an Industry analyst with Chemical Market Associates Inc. in Houston, to project lower prices for PE until mid-2002. U.S. operating rates are expected to follow the same pattern. Rappaport sees U.S. HDPE prices dropping into the mid-to high 30s in cents a pound by mid-2002, with LLDPE prices hitting the low 30s and LDPE prices dipping into the high 30s.

PVC makers should be able to find their way out of the darkness in the next couple of years, thanks to low global inventories and a recovery in demand growth. North American PVC producers were hammered in the second half of 2000 as demand plummeted and have faced tough business conditions in early 2001 as well, though they have been able to increase prices an average of 3 cents per pound. Smith, with Houston-based Chemical Market Associates Inc., said at his firm's World Petrochemical Conference that PVC will lead the petrochemical rebound, just as it was first to slide in 2000. "The fundamentals are all there for PVC to take off," Smith said.

Last year we introduced our new corporate identity with WEEKS Consulting and WEEKS Laboratories clearly identified as distinct parts of WEEKS Technical Services plc. The success of this strategy in giving each business its own persona and opportunity to develop has led us to formalise the arrangement by establishing two separate trading companies: WEEKS Consulting ltd, The Oasis, Newnham Court, Bearsted Road, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 5LH, Tel-01622 632-100 and WEEKS Laboratories, New Melbourne House, Canning Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 2RU, Tel-01622 679-951. Learn more here.;

The Meeting and Registration information for the ASTM June Committee Week (June 24-29, 2001) in Norfolk, Virginia, is available on the ASTM web site at www.astm.org/COMMIT/WEEKINFO. At the ASTM web site under Technical Committees you will also find committee schedules as they become available. Please note we have added to our Meeting Notice a statement regarding dress and weather in Norfolk. ASTM has new technology that enables us to more efficiently provide meeting information on our web site, eliminating the traditional hard copy sent through the mail. If you do not have access to the Internet and/or require a hard copy mailed or faxed to you, please contact Felicia Otero in the Meetings Department: Email: fotero@astm.org Phone: 610-832-9706 Fax: 610-832-9669

Consumption of polyolefin textiles reached record levels in 2000, according to the latest study. European output now exceeds 3 billion a year. Market Perspectives of the European Polyolefin Textile Industry is an examination of the use of polypropylene and polyethylene textiles, showing quantities consumed by end-uses (such as floor coverings, hygiene, ropes, strapping, bulk containers and geotextiles) and by type of technology (including staple, monofilament, multifilament, split film and spun bond). Published by the European Association for Textile Polyolefins (EATP) the study also highlights both the short-term (1999-2000) and the longer term (1992-1999) trends in consumption. Learn more here.;