Registration is open for the 2027 Women in Textiles Summit hosted by Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), April 5–7, 2027, in Austin, Texas. Registration Early-bird registration rates of $669 are available to ATA members (nonmemembers, $915) through Feb. 23. Beginning Feb. 24, the member registration fee increases to $769 (nonmembers, $1,015). To register, visit textiles.org/events/women-in-textiles-summit/women-registration. The [...]

Polymeric geogrids have been utilized as a structural reinforcement element within mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) structures for nearly 50 years.  Photo courtesy of Tensar, a division of CMC. They have been used to reinforce the fill within roadways, embankments, slopes, retaining walls, and any other system where the main function of the geogrid is to [...]

Join the Geosynthetics Materials Association in Washington, D.C., Dec. 8–9, 2026. There’s only six weeks until the 2026 GMA Fall Lobby Days. With the current CR (Continuing Resolution) set to expire on December 11, 2026, our visit on December 9 couldn’t be timed better. Congress will all be in session and promoting the continued inclusion of [...]

Registration is now open for the 2027 Outlook® Conference, Feb. 23–25, 2027, in Washington, D.C. Join textile industry leaders to explore current trends, future opportunities and the forces shaping U.S. manufacturing. This year's conference coincides with U.S. Industrial and Narrow Fabrics (USINFI) Advocacy Days, Feb. 23–24, offering new opportunities to connect industry insights and policy [...]

Photo courtesy of George Koerner. The demand for minerals that are being extracted continues to grow and mines need to work efficiently and safely while minimizing the impact on the environment. Mine operations typically involve large excavations and embankments, access roads, processing and extraction of materials, disposal of waste, and many others while operating large [...]

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) has issued a call for speakers for the 2027 Women in Textiles Summit, taking place April 5–7, 2027, in Austin, Texas. ATA is seeking speakers to present fresh perspectives and ideas on topics such as personal and professional development, career and business growth, and technology and manufacturing. Proposal submissions Speakers must [...]

Registration is now open for Geosynthetics Conference 2027, February 21-24, 2027, in Reno, Nev. Be part of the industry’s leading technical conference for geosynthetics and gain the knowledge, connections and insights to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving field. From expert-led education and professional development opportunities to the latest innovations on the show floor, Geosynthetics [...]

The Federal Highway Administration has started a new monthly webinar series featuring research conducted at FHWA’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. These free webinars will highlight new findings, provide updates on current projects and solicit feedback from stakeholders. Recordings of the webinars and professional development hour certificates will be made available. The October webinar offers a [...]

Registration is open for the ETLFs - Elevated Temperature Landfills webinar, Oct. 21, 1–2 p.m. EDT. Hosted by Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) and sponsored by Viaflex, it is free for ATA members and nonmembers. The presentation will cover the history and key distinctions between ETLFs and landfill fires, conditions that lead to ETLFs and the [...]

Photo: Advanced Textiles Association It's time to register for the Geosynthetics Materials Association's Fall Lobby Days, Dec. 8-9, 2026, in Washington, D.C. GMA members will have the opportunity to meet with their congressional representatives, hear from invited guests and learn how the election will impact the work of Congress. Visitors are welcome – contact Fred [...]

The roadway system is a critical asset to the public around the world. We rely on this system for connectivity, safety and commerce. For the United States, it is crucial to the economic growth of the country. The system requires large investments to construct and to maintain. The roadway system is constantly under load from [...]

A federal judge has ruled that New Mexico's PFAS labeling rule, which was announced earlier this year, infringes on commercially protected speech. As a result, the regulation has been temporarily halted. The labeling rule is part of the New Mexico PFAS Protection Act and would require manufacturers to label consumer products that contain PFAS beginning [...]

Rural communities in remote mountainous regions have very limited access to roads.  They also have very limited alternative routes that are in many cases very long detours.  A badly eroded roadside slope adjacent to a stream. Photo courtesy of Erosion Control Technology Council. These roads are critical lifelines for emergency vehicles, tourism, commerce, schools and [...]

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) announced the 2026 recipients of the Outstanding Volunteer Award and the results of the call for board candidates at the Annual Meeting and Advanced Textiles Expo Preview webinar, Sept. 9. Outstanding Volunteer Award winners The Outstanding Volunteer Award program was created in 2012 and recognizes a handful of dedicated ATA volunteers, [...]

Officine Maccaferri S.p.A has acquired 100% of Ovattificio Alpino S.r.l., an Italian specialist in non-woven geotextiles and technical felts. Headquartered in Cittadella, Italy, Ovattificio Alpino manufactures non-woven geotextiles and technical felts for infrastructure and environmental applications, including roadworks, water management, soil stabilization and environmental protection. With over 50 years in the technical textiles industry, the company [...]

The U.S. House voted Tuesday to approve a short-term funding bill that will keep the government running for three more months. The bill passed the Senate in August and now heads to President Trump for his expected signature. [UPDATE 9/3: The President has signed the bill.] The bill includes extends funding, which would have expired [...]

Max Gaha is joining Solmax as Chief Information Officer (CIO), the company announced this week. Max Gaha; photo courtesy of Solmax. As a member of Solmax's Executive Leadership, Gaha will lead the company's global information technology function, supporting the organization's continued growth and operational excellence across all regions. He brings more than 20 years of [...]

Registration is open for Advanced Textiles Association's (ATA's) Annual Meeting and Advanced Textiles Expo® 2026 Preview webinar, Sept. 9, 1–2 pm EDT. The webinar is free to ATA members and nonmembers. Craig Zola, chairman of the ATA Board of Directors, will provide the annual State of the Association report for fiscal year 2026, as well [...]

Registration is open for the Level Funded Health Plan: Predictable Costs, Control and Savings webinar, Sept. 2, 1–2 pm EDT. The webinar is open to Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) members only. Attendees will learn about the Major Medical Health plans available to their employees through ATA, including how level funding works and its advantages. Melissa Cook, [...]

The utilization of geosynthetics continues to develop and grow around the world due to the recognition in their ability to optimize designs as well as to improve project constructability.  Photo courtesy of Tensar, A Division of CMC. Geosynthetics are a polymeric family of products that encompass geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids and geocomposites.  Since the 1960’s these [...]