News

Highlights include:

- FGI's New O&M Guideline for Water Reservoirs

- New Geo-Engineering Pop Quiz

- Exciting Webinar Schedule for Second Half of 2022

- Revised Geomembrane Defect Leakage Calculator

- Safety First Tip on Proper Safety Glasses

Sioux Falls-based Raven Engineered Films announced the company will move forward as Viaflex. The new name and corporate identity follow the April 2022 acquisition by Industrial Opportunity Partners ("IOP") from Raven Industries and position the company as an independent, stand-alone business. The new name represents a combination of two words that honor and encapsulate the company's mission and culture:

• VIA, or by way of, speaks to the way Viaflex uses science, data, and the latest technologies to create innovative, comprehensive solutions to complex challenges, particularly as demand increases for sustainable solutions that safeguard the environment.

• FLEX, is a nod to the company's strengths, ability to react quickly, and industry-leading, best-in-class products.

"We are excited to launch the Viaflex brand and are committed to protecting earth and promoting industry,” said Scott Wickersham, Viaflex President and CEO. “Viaflex is focused on creating value for our customers by delivering excellent service, exceptional quality, and industry-leading innovation. We have a strong culture and have added more talent to our outstanding team in support of our new strategies." The company has distinguished itself across more industries than other plastics manufacturers. An innovator in developing and manufacturing thinner, lighter, stronger polymer film and sheeting solutions, Viaflex helps solve application and product challenges across the globe, including: agriculture, construction, energy, industrial, and installation services

Viaflex, as an independent company, can now focus on product and installation execution, supporting internal R&D and engineering teams, quality control, and strong industry partnerships to propel continued growth. The company’s rigid ISO 9001-certified management system supports the demand for new and more innovative solutions that enable customers across multiple industries to protect the environment, natural resources, property and business assets. "Launching the Viaflex brand is the next chapter for this great company,” said Dave Mackin at IOP. “This is an exceptional team with an unmatched and diverse set of capabilities. We are excited for the future of Viaflex." Learn more about Viaflex at www.viaflex.com.

This guideline recommends regular inspections and maintenance for geosynthetic-lined reservoirs.  A well-defined, site-specific inspection and repair program ensures long-term effectiveness of lined reservoirs.  Floating covers, similarly, benefit from an inspection program. Documented inspections enable operators to detect and address various signs of potential leakage – while minor and repairable. Without this well-defined operation, inspection, and maintenance program and its necessary documentation, many, if not most, geomembranes will develop signs that show a potential for leakage of the stored water and ultimate failure.

For complete Guideline, please click HERE.

On 10 June 2022 during a trip to Brisbane, Australia for the GeoANZ#1 Conference (a geosynthetics conference organized by the Australasian Chapter of the International Geosynthetics Society (ACIGS), Tim Stark visited the offices and factory fabrication facility of Fabtech in Adelaide, Australia. Tim met with Graham Fairhead, CEO; Mark Bennett, Construction Manager; and Daren Noonan, Factory Manager of Fabtech (see Figure 1) to discuss current and future FGI activities, including upcoming FGI webinars, MQA and CQA training, welder certification, and current University of Illinois research on action leakage rates, carbon footprint calculator, and various operation and maintenance guidelines. Tim also met with other Fabtech employees, SA Water representatives, and toured Fabtech’s factory fabrication facilities. Graham showed Tim some current fabrication projects and new fabrication capabilities including the ability to factory fabricate, test, and roll large tank liners (see Figure 1), floating cover system floats, hatches, and air vents, and development of panel layout diagrams to minimize field seaming. Mark Bennett also took Tim to observe installation of a new bottom liner system and floating cover for the Potts Hill Water Reservoir near Sydney, Australia on 15June 2022. Fabtech is designing and installing the 367,000 square meter bottom liner system and the accompanying floating cover for the Sydney Water Board, which makes it the largest in Australia.

Dr. Stark hopes to visit the facilities of all FGI members to better understand each member’s business and how the FGI can provide additional benefit to them. The FGI is an exciting advancement in the geomembrane industry and allows the Institute to focus on all geomembranes that can be factory fabricated.

Highlights include:

- New FGI Members

- Women in Geosynthetics

- Upcoming FGI Webinars

- Project Spotlight - Floating Cover Replacement

- Design & Installation Details

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) is pleased to welcome its newest Fabricator/Installer Member, Nilex Inc.  Nilex is a leader in the geosynthetics industry providing geosynthetic solutions for civil and environmental projects including economic alternatives for access Road Construction, MSE Walls and Slopes, Erosion and Sediment Control, Water Management, Mining & Pipeline Solutions and Containment Management. The company headquarters is in Edmonton, Alberta, with offices throughout Canada and the United States and their FGI liaison is Tammy Kidd, Senior Marketing Manager, who can be reached at tammy.kidd@nilex.com or www.nilex.com.  Please help us welcome Nilex to the FGI!!!!

Register Today

Part 4 of the 4-Part CQA Series will focus on activities that owners and operators should perform to maintain their liner system after installation. The post installation activities will extend the service of the liner system and include visual and mechanical inspections, maintaining soil cover in unexposed applications especially in the south facing direction, and checking on connection of the geomembrane to penetrations for a variety of applications. Best practices for locating the source leakage, determining an appropriate action leakage rate, and conducting electrical leak surveys will be discussed.

Cost: $100 per session (or $300 if register for all 4 sessions)
(If registering for all 4 sessions, use Discount Code CQAFGI to save $25 per session)
(Regulators/Government Employees are Free, use Discount Code REGULATOR)
PDH:  1.5 hours

Presenters: Ron Frobel (R. K. Frobel & Associates), Duff Simbeck (Simbeck and Associates) & Matthew Kemnitz (Leak Location Services)

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Part 3 of the 4-Part CQA Series will summarize third-party geosynthetic materials and installation inspection practices that ensure quality products and workmanship that meet or exceed project permitting requirements, and final acceptance in accordance to the plans and specifications. The process that will be presented ensures that clients receive a defendable final document and a quality product for years to come.

Cost: $100 per session (or $300 if register for all 4 sessions)
(If registering for all 4 sessions, use Discount Code CQAFGI to save $25 per session)
(Regulators/Government Employees are Free, use Discount Code REGULATOR)
PDH:  1.5 hours

Presenters: Shannon Goodrich and Tony Chartres (GO2CQA)

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Part 2 of the 4-Part CQA Series will provide in depth information on factory fabrication quality control. We will follow the process of quality control beginning with receiving the raw materials through the panel conversion process and finally shipment to the customer. Details of raw material inspection, fabrication machine setup and qualifications, in-process ASTM testing and inspections, repairs, and quality control reporting will be addressed.

Date:  Wednesday, February 16, 2022 (12-1:30 p.m. CST)
Cost: $100 per session
($75 per session if register for all 4 parts with discount code CQAFGI)
(Regulators/Government Employees are Free, use Discount Code REGULATOR)
PDH:  1.5 hours per session
Presenter: Dan Rohe (EPI)

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Part 1 of the 4-Part CQA Series will address quality control and assurance efforts in the manufacture of geomembranes, from raw material supplier qualification through customer feedback. Supply chain constrictions, industry standards and certifications, available testing technologies, and the voice of the customer are all factors that underscore the importance of a sound manufacturers' quality control system. This presentation will demonstrate several aspects of manufacturing quality control including physical property testing of incoming raw materials and outgoing finished goods, quality system certifications and standards compliance, and response to customer feedback.

Date: Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2022 (12-1:30 p.m. CST)
Cost: $100 per session
($75 per session if register for all 4 parts with discount code CQAFGI)
(Regulators/Government Employees are free with discount code REGULATOR)
PDH:  1.5 hours per session
Presenters:  Clint Boerhave (Raven) and Bill Clark (Plastatech)