THE fourth Geosynthetics Middle East 2011 conference and exhibition, to be held on October 25 and 26 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, is receiving good response from international exhibitors and delegates, according to the UAE-based BMC Gulf.

Hosted by the Abu Dhabi Municipality, the event is being organised by SKZ of Germany, a leading plastic institute, in cooperation with its local partner BMC Gulf.

Last year, the event attracted more than 300 industry experts and specialists, including engineers, designers, consultants, manufacturers, contractors and government agencies, providing a rich networking environment.

Geosynthetics Middle East 2010 addressed safety concerns, environmental aspects and the quality of construction projects throughout the UAE.

“Geosynthetic materials are used in nearly every construction project and are significant for the performance of a structure,” says a spokesman for BMC Gulf. “The market is always looking for the best technology that complies with the highest engineering standards.”

The event provides an attractive platform for international geotechnical and environmental specialists to exchange their knowledge and experience on geosynthetic-related topics, research and design, construction engineering, case studies and field experiences.

This year’s conference will focus on:
• Recent developments and future opportunities for geomembranes, waterproofing membranes, clay-liners, geotextiles, geogrids, geocomposites, geocells, geopipes and glassgrids;
• Applications and case studies focusing on environmental protection, water reservoirs, artificial lakes, dams, tunnelling, roads, landfills, retaining walls and marine structures, foundation waterproofing and mining;
• Design and installation covering design requirements, installation methodology, product durability and sustainability and advanced welding technologies;
• Testing, quality assurance and certification in the Middle East; and
• International regulations and standards.

“The municipality’s sponsorship of this prime event  – which is considered the biggest in the field of geosynthetics across the Middle East – reflects our attention to promoting strategic partnerships that support the comprehensive development projects and sustainability,” says Abdulla Al Shamsi, executive director of infrastructure and municipal assets, Municipality of Abu Dhabi City.

The municipality is pursuing a leading role in adopting sustainable development policies and drawing up strategic plans to ensure that there is a close match between projects undertaken and services delivered, he says.

It also seeks to optimise on resources such that Abu Dhabi City will rank among the top metropolitan cities that effectively addresses all environmental issues, given the rapid development seen by the emirate in keeping with its 2030 plan, he adds.

SKZ has been working in the field of plastic processing and applications since 1961. With a focus on advanced training, certification, testing and research, it is the largest service provider in Europe within this field.

“It is our duty to make sure that state-of-the-art technology is applied, to achieve a sustainable and environment-friendly infrastructure that will serve future generations,” says Fabian Beermann, manager of plastic welding technology division at BMC Gulf.