News

FGI Announces New Officers and Board of Directors

(Urbana, IL, April 25, 2017) The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) inducted new Officers and a new Board of Directors during their annual membership meeting in Orlando, Florida on March 13, 2017 at the ASCE Geo-Frontiers Conference. The FGI’s membership meeting was attended by forty-seven (47) people and held in conjunction with the Industrial Fabrics Association International. Before introducing the new Officers and Directors, Timothy D. Stark, FGI Technical Director and Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, acknowledged the service of the outgoing Officers and Board Members: Marlyn Waltner (Intertape Polymer Group, Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Jeremiah Boorsma (Accugeo, Bakersfield, California), and Dave McLaury (DemTech, Placerville, California). In particular, Tim recognized the FGI’s outgoing President, Andrew Mills (Layfield Group, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada), for his instrumental ideas and initiatives for launching the FGI and establishing the successful membership and dues structure. Tim presented Andrew with a plaque in recognition of his service as the FGI President for three consecutive terms, i.e., six years.

The newly elected FGI Officers will serve a two-year term (2017-2019) and are:

• President – Patrick Elliott (Colorado Lining International, Parker, Colorado) 

• Vice President – Laura Storey (Plastatech, Saginaw, Michigan) 

• Treasurer – Ed Silva (Engineered Polymer Technologies, Hillside, New Jersey) 

• Secretary – Jimmie Eloff (Owens Corning, Granville, OH)

The recently elected FGI Board of Directors also will serve a two-year term (2017-2019) and are listed below in alphabetical order:

• Dale Kemnitz (Leak Location Services) 

• Gary Kolbasuk (Raven Industries) 

• Ray Peebles (Cooley Group) 

• Bill Shehane (Seaman Corporation) 

• Duff Simbeck (Simbeck & Associates)

The FGI is dedicated to advancing the use of fabricated geomembranes through education, research, and technology transfer. The FGI is a consortium of manufacturers, fabricators/installers, designers, regulators, and material suppliers of fabricated geomembranes. For more information on the FGI, please visit www.fabricatedgeomembrane.com.

2017-2019 FGI Officers and Board of Directors.  (L-R): Ed Silva (Engineered Polymer Technologies),  Gary Kolbasuk (Raven), Pat Elliott (Colorado Lining), Tim Stark (Univ. of Illinois), Dale Kemnitz (Leak Location Services), Laura Storey (Plastatech), Jimmie Eloff (Owens Corning), Duff Simbeck (Simbeck & Assoc.), Ray Peebles (Cooley) 

FGI Presents Second Annual Engineering Innovation Award

The Fabricated Geomembrane Institute (FGI) presented its second annual Fabricated Geomembrane Engineering Innovation Award during its annual membership meeting in Orlando, Florida on March 13, 2017 at the ASCE Geo-Frontiers Conference. The FGI’s membership meeting was attended by forty-seven (47) people and held in conjunction with the Industrial Fabrics Association International. The 2017 Engineering Innovation Award was presented to Ronald K. Frobel & Associates and S&ME, Inc. for the Columbus Upground Reservoir Project. This is the largest geosynthetics lined reservoir in the United States, covering 843 acres. More than 37,000,000 square feet of fabricated polypropylene geomembrane, as well as 37,000,000 square feet of 10 ounce non-woven geotextile were used for the liner system on the base of the reservoir. The reservoir contains 475 fabricated geomembrane panels; each panel measures approximately 125 by 250 feet, with an area of about 31,250 square feet and weighing nearly 6,250 lbs. The FGI Engineering Innovation Award provides recognition for engineer(s) who have creatively used fabricated geomembranes to successfully fulfill a client/owner’s needs including, technical requirements, scheduling, and budget.

Jason Ross (left) of S&ME, Inc. accepts the 2017 Fabricated Geomembrane Engineering Innovation Award from Timothy D. Stark, FGI Technical Director

Geomembrane Market Expected to Reach $3,537 Million by 2022, Globally – Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research titled, “Geomembrane Market by Raw Material, Technology, and Application: Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20142022,” the global geomembrane market was valued at $2,048 million in 2015, and is estimated to reach $3,537 million by 2022, growing at a CAGR of 7.8% from 2016 to 2022. In 2015, extrusion technology segment held almost half of the total market share.

Summary of the Report Geomembrane Market can be accessed on the website at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/geomembrane-market

News

FGI Welcomes Textiles Coated International

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!!!!

FGI Spring 2025 Newsletter Now Available

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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

FGI Announces New Officers and Board of Directors

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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)

Join the FGI at Geotechnical Frontiers 2025

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

Visit FGI Booth #323

FGI Welcomes Vindex Liners Inc

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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!!!!

FGI Welcomes Blue Environmental Containment, Inc.

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!!!!

FGI Welcomes WSP

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!!!!

FGI Welcomes MVS Industries

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!!!!

FGI Welcomes Stantec

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The FGI is pleased to welcome its newest Associate Member, Stantec. Stantec is a global leader in sustainable engineering, architecture, and environmental consulting. Stantec draws from over 20 technical specialties to form teams that are uniquely suited for any project, whether it’s major industrial infrastructure improvements to ongoing energy transition solutions. Stantec consists of designers, engineers, scientists, project managers, and strategic advisors who innovate at the intersection of community, creativity, and client relationships to advance communities everywhere to redefine what’s possible. Their FGI liaisons are Kula Kulasingam, Ph.D., P.E., Principal Geotechnical Engineer, kula.kulasingam@stantec.com and Don Fuller, III, P.E, Vice President and CCR Program Manager, don.fuller@stantec.com. Please help us welcome Stantec to the FGI!!!!

FGI Fall 2024 Newsletter Now Available

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Top FGI Headlines for Fall 2024:

- New Project Spotlight: Artesian Resources Treated Wastewater Holding Lagoon

- FGI Geomembrane 30-Year Durability Project

- New Module Added to FGI's Online CQA Course for 2025

- FGI Design & Installation Details

- Upcoming FGI Webinars