Photograph courtesy of Tensar Corp. ASTM International’s geosynthetics committee (D35) is developing a proposed standard that will provide engineers with specific information for components necessary for road and pavement design. The proposed standard (WK70888) outlines a commonly used test to characterize the performance of geosynthetics for roadway applications. Specifically, it describes the use of the [...]

The China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA) recently held its fifth member congress and the celebration ceremony of its 20th anniversary in Beijing. The congress reviewed and approved the report of the fourth council, and elected the fifth council.Li Guimei was elected as the president of CNITA, Zhu Xiusen, Duan Shoujiang and Ji Jianbing [...]

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced a new emergency temporary standard (ETS), requiring private employers with 100 or more employees–firm or company-wide–to develop, implement and enforce a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policy, unless they adopt a policy requiring employees to choose to either be vaccinated or undergo regular COVID-19 testing [...]

Photograph courtesy of Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority The Pittsburgh Water & Sewer Authority (PWSA) chose Layfield Geosynthetics (USA) for the supply and installation of a new chlorosulfonated polyethylene (CSPE) liner and floating cover system for the Highland 2 Reservoir. The project includes demolition of the old liner and cover and fabrication and construction of a [...]

The Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) established the Robert and Mitchell Landreth “Steward of the Environment” award in honor of Robert E. Landreth (1939–2021) and his wife, Mitchell. The award is bestowed in recognition of “distinguished engineering achievement” by a young faculty member, graduate student or post-doctorate working with geosynthetics. Only one such award is given annually [...]

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act–commonly referred to as the bipartisan infrastructure framework (BIF)– recently passed by U.S. House of Representatives includes funding for recreation-based ports and waterways, funding for climate resiliency measures and reauthorizes the $750 million Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund. Additional key recreational boating industry priorities found in [...]

The U.S. Cotton Trust Protocol, a farm level, science-based program that sets a new standard in more sustainably grown cotton recently celebrated one-year since its official launch. The Trust Protocol brings quantifiable and verifiable goals and measurement to sustainable cotton production and drives continuous improvement in six key sustainability metrics: land use, soil carbon, water [...]

Arxada, a global speciality chemicals business, and Troy Corporation, a global leader in microbial control solutions and performance additives, have entered into an agreement to combine the two companies. The agreement represents the first strategic deal by Arxada, formerly known as Lonza Specialty Ingredients or LSI and owned by private equity funds Bain Capital and [...]

Morbern’s Voyager and Sandpiper vinyls (shown) for marine upholstery deliver high performance at a value price point. Morbern’s Voyager and Sandpiper vinyls for marine upholstery deliver high performance at a value price point at less than $10 a yard. Both employ Splash construction, a pink stain-resistant vinyl formulation, the gold standard in the marine industry. [...]

An employee of e2 Technical Textiles tests geosynthetics in the lab. Photograph courtesy of e2 Technical Textiles. Technical textiles are versatile with widespread applications. For a product to perform optimally in its application, the manufacturer must carefully consider the technical factors required of the coated fabric in the research and development phase. Performance testing helps [...]