News

After sixteen years as the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI), we’re proud to announce that we have officially changed our name to the Flexible Geomembrane Institute. This change marks an exciting new chapter for our organization, expanding our mission and further solidifying our commitment to the innovative field of geomembrane technology, while maintaining focus on factory fabrication and modular construction.

This updated name better reflects the evolving landscape of the industry and the diverse needs of FGI’s growing community of members and industry professionals. By emphasizing flexibility, our new name speaks to the Institute’s broader reach, while staying true to the foundational principles and deep expertise in geomembrane applications.

"Expanding the FGI to focus on all flexible geomembrane installations allows us to include field fabrication with our long-term interest in factory fabrication and modular construction," said Dr. Timothy D. Stark, Technical Director of FGI. "As we continue to innovate and grow, we are still the same great organization, providing useful content on current and emerging trends in the industry." Patrick Elliott, President of the FGI also commented, “This simple but strategic change helps align our goals and work closer to represent the needs of our members and industry. While our core focus will always be on factory fabrication the fact remains, we want to provide industry research and technology to focus on providing the best products and techniques to solve all project challenges.”

New Domain, Same Valuable Resources
Alongside the name change, FGI has announced a new domain name. Our website is now located at www.thefgi.org. Visitors will continue to find the same valuable content, resources, and educational materials, with the added benefit of a shorter and easier domain name. For any inquiries, please contact Jen Miller at her new email address Jen@thefgi.org.

Please join all of us with the FGI in celebrating this exciting advancement.

About the Flexible Geomembrane Institute (FGI):
The Flexible Geomembrane Institute (formerly the Fabricated Geomembrane Institute) is a leading resource for the development, education, and promotion of geomembrane technology. The FGI is an industry-sponsored, non-profit institute dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated flexible geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. The FGI is housed at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Join the FGI at GeoAsia8 in Brisbane, Australia from 10-13 June, 2025. Several FGI Members will be participating & presenting on Wednesday, 11 June in the Speed Consulting session which will focus on Containment Systems in the Energy Sector, Geomembrane Selection and Applications for Mining, and Oil & Gas Environmental Containment. This session will also include various industry experts as part of a panel discussion. Register Here: https://geoasia8.org/registration/

The FGI is pleased to welcome its newest Manufacturer Member, Textiles Coated International (TCI). TCI has been a leading manufacturer of high-performance fluoropolymer films, laminates, and composites since 1985. TCI's products are designed to work in the most demanding environments and are especially suited for harsh chemical and thermal conditions. TCI's facilities have over 180,000 ft² of manufacturing space with customized coating, lamination, fabrication, film, mixing, maintenance, research and development, and laboratory departments. TCI is headquartered in Londonderry, NH with facilities in Europe and Mexico. The FGI liaison is Michael Goard, Global Manager of Industrial Products, who can be reached at mgoard@textilescoated.com. Please help us welcome Textiles Coated International to the FGI!!!!

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Top FGI Headlines for Spring 2025:

- New Officers and Board of Directors Elected

- FGI at Geotechnical Frontiers 2025

- New Member Welcome

- Upcoming Webinars (NY State PDH Approval)

- Online CQA Course & Certification Available On-Demand

- FGI Creates Anchor Trench Calculator

The newly elected FGI Officers and Board Members are:
• President – Patrick Elliott (Colorado Lining International)
• Treasurer – Brian Fraser (Layfield Geosynthetics)
• Secretary – Maya Innis (Leister Technologies)
• Board Member - Annette DeHavilland (Ohio EPA)
• Board Member - Todd Harman (Hallaton)
• Board Member - Ron MacKenzie (Inland Tarp & Liner)
• Board Member - Neil Nowak  (WSP)

Tuesday, March 4, 2025
9am – 1pm: Women in Geosynthetics Coffee/Espresso Bar (Booth 323)
1:30 – 3pm: Women in Geosynthetics Round Table Discussion
7pm – 8pm: FGI Membership Meeting (all are welcome)

Wednesday, March 5, 2025
10:30am – Noon FGI Technical Session on Containment Applications
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Visit FGI Booth #323

The FGI is pleased to welcome its newest Fabricator/Installer Member, Vindex Liners Inc. Vindex Liners Inc provides a wide range of geosynthetic and geotextile products to meet the needs of every customer from initial design to final quality assurance processes. Vindex Liners Inc fabricates a variety of geosynthetic materials suitable for water resource and conservation management, oil and gas, agriculture, and environmental remediation. In addition to only using the highest quality materials and top-of-the-line technologies, Vindex Liners Inc provides on-location liner installation and seaming, as well as tarp and liner repairs. Vindex Liners Inc is headquartered in South Heart, North Dakota and the FGI liaison is Desmond Bandah, Director of Operations, who can be reached at desmond@vindexnd.com.  Please help us welcome Vindex Liners Inc to the FGI!!!!

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The FGI is pleased to welcome its newest Fabricator/Installer Member, Blue Environmental Containment, Inc. (Blue EC).  Blue EC has been a geomembrane installer since 1995 and a fabricator since 2014.  Currently servicing the northwestern U.S. including Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Alaska, and Hawaii. Blue EC is headquartered in Portland, Oregon and the FGI liaison is Jeff Boys, President, who can be reached at jeff@blueec.com.  Please help us welcome Blue Environmental Containment, Inc. to the FGI!!!!

The FGI is pleased to welcome its newest Associate Member, WSP. With over 73,900 professionals, WSP is one of the world’s largest leading engineering and professional services firms. WSP provides strategic advisory, engineering and design services to clients in the transportation, infrastructure, environment, building, power, energy, water, and mining sectors. WSP strives to develop creative, comprehensive and sustainable engineering solutions for a future in which society can thrive. Equipped with an intimate understanding of local intricacies, world-class talent and proactive leadership, WSP plans, designs, manages and engineers long-lasting and impactful solutions to uniquely complex problems. Their FGI liaison is Neil Nowak, P.E., Vice President Civil Engineer, who can be reached at Neil.Nowak@wsp.com. Please help us welcome WSP to the FGI!!!!

The FGI is pleased to welcome its newest Manufacturer Member, MVS Industries, Inc. (MVS). MVS has its roots in the steel packaging industry and has grown to also become a vertically integrated manufacturer of innovative coated woven products and diverse multi-layer reinforced plastic substrates. MVS serves a wide variety of markets such as geomembrane, protective packaging (lumber wrap & metal wrap),converted fabrics, agricultural and construction products. Consistent product quality is achieved by using state-of-the-art plastic extrusion, weaving, coating, laminating, printing techniques and a strong commitment to partnership with our customers, employees and suppliers. MVS is headquartered in Hyderabad, India with a growing presence in North America. The FGI liaison is Clive Mills, Vice President of Business Development, who can be reached at clive@mvsindustries.org.  Please help us welcome MVS Industries to the FGI!!!!