Pipes based on BorSafe™ HE3490-LS-H from Borealis, a leading provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, have ensured the fast and efficient installation of a new fire main at an industrial chemical complex in Finland. Savings of up to 50% in time and 40% in installation costs were achieved compared to traditional steel piping.

Twenty-five years experience in grinder pump development has now resulted in the Flygt DXG residential grinder that turns all solid matter into sludge.

A 10 m (32.8 ft) diameter Single Shield TBM began boring on the Lot 4 west tunnel of the Pajares tunnel project in August 2006. The machine was designed by Robbins and built by MHI-Duro Felguera in Spain. Robbins is supplying the back-up system, electrical and hydraulic components, field service, shield engineering, and part of the conveyor system. The project is part of Spain's Alta Velocidad Española (AVE) high-speed rail link and includes two parallel 10.5 km (6.5 mi) long tunnels for traveling both east and west.

Leading Pipe Manufacturer Backs Comprehensive Line of PVC and PE Plastic Pipe with Unprecedented Warranty: JM Eagle, the world’s largest manufacturer of plastic pipes, today announced it is issuing an unprecedented 50-year warranty against manufacturing defects for its pipe products. This warranty - unmatched by any other pipe manufacturer - is a significant first step toward rebuilding the crumbling infrastructure of the USA.

The first tunnel boring machine (TBM) in the Gotthard Base Tunnel started out in the east tunnel from Bodio in November 2002. Two months later, the second TBM started driving in the west tunnel. A number of different geological zones had to be overcome along the approximately 15 km route to the multifunction station at Faido. The highly diverse geology impaired driving progress. Modifications to both TBMs brought sharp improvements. In December 2005, with 38 metres, the TBM in the east tunnel attained the highest daily advance rate of any TBM in the Gotthard Base Tunnel to date.

Aries, a leading global manufacturer of Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) Inspection and pipeline repair and systems support for the sewer, water, gas, electric and geophysical industries, has launched a new website. Features include: a more concise navigation, a fresher, more aesthetically pleasing design, and website usability and functionality, such as a distributor locator and the ability to move through pipeline products and systems seamlessly, to create a tremendous user experience.

The Ditch Witch® organization announces the release of its most powerful directional drill, the JT100 Mach 1. Equipped with a 268-hp (200 kW) engine, the JT100 is designed so that rotation, thrust, and drilling fluid flow can operate simultaneously at full power, which leads to faster job completion. With 100,000 lb (445 kN) of pullback and 12,000 ft•lb (16 270 N•m) of torque, the JT100 is a directional drill built for both long-range bores, such as river crossings, and installations of large-diameter pipe. The power of the JT100 allows for the addition of two optional features that can save the contractor significant time and money. One is an onboard crane, which is used to load and unload pipe boxes, anchor the unit, and handle downhole tools, especially drill pipe. Directional drills without an onboard crane require additional equipment, such as an excavator, to perform these functions. The other optional feature is an onboard anchor system—an exclusive Ditch Witch equipment option—that stabilizes the machine on virtually any terrain. Directional drills without this feature typically have to be anchored to another heavier piece of equipment, such as a backhoe or track hoe, to maintain stability during drilling operations.

The Underground Construction Association of SME (UCA of SME) presented the 2006 North American Tunneling Conference, June 10-15, Palmer House, Chicago, Illinois. Total conference attendance reached 570 and 86 premier industry companies exhibited.

First global programme in plastics industry addressing water crisisLeverages companies’ leadership to provide sustainable solutionsFosters local knowledge and partnerships throughout value chain to reach those in need

LOVAT has been contracted to design and manufacture twin 3.3 metre-diametre Earth Pressure Balance TBMs for the Joint Venture of McNally Construction Inc. & AECON Group Inc. (McNally/AECON).

In October, 2009, a new Plastic Engineering degree programme will begin at Johannes Kepler University Linz (Austria). The programme and curriculum is jointly supported by OMV and Borealis who contributed a total of EUR 3 million for the implementation and expansion of four new departments within the School of Technical Science.

Trelleborg Engineered Systems, through its Pipe Seals division, has introduced DRAIN FlexRib Manhole Seal, a chimney or collar seal designed to prevent infiltration and exfiltration from the top entry area of a manhole structure. Using patented Waveband technology the unit creates the most effective seal possible.

Energy & Utility Skills (EU Skills) Recognition of Learning programme has been accredited to TT-UK Ltd. Family-owned business TT-UK, is the first company to receive the Recognition of Learning programme, as a service provider for Suction Excavator training.

South West Water is using a peristaltic pump from Watson-Marlow Bredel for dosing coagulant into raw reservoir water for purification purposes. It is thought to be the first time peristaltic technology has been used on a coagulant application, certainly within the southwest region.

The waste water connection of a family home indicated some fractured damages, causing it to block regularly and then constantly needing to be flushed free. It was therefore decided to install a new sewer line. Only 2 years ago the road had been renewed and a repair or new installation for the house connection using the open trenching method would have split the supporting layer of tarmac and caused subsequent road subsidences.

Anti-social water pipes will feel the long arm of Severn Trent Water's law after the company adapted American crime fighting technology to clamp down on leakage. A US based IT system, initially developed to study street crime, is the latest tool being used by Severn Trent Water in helping to locate and replace poor quality water mains.

Following on from the success of 2006, TT-UK continues to increase its supply and support for all its Scottish based customers exhibiting its wide and technically advanced range of Trenchless Technology (no-dig) equipment.

Two students carrying out important research on polyolefins have been recognized by Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, under its new Student Innovation Award scheme. The students received their awards at the annual Innovation Day that Borealis celebrated in Linz, Austria, in January 2009.

The trend towards small, mobile, high-performance equipment for special applications in foundation work is continuing unabated, according to one system supplier. But this is by no means the only common denominator in pile-driving, pulling and drilling technology. Although the individual market segments utilise different techniques and processes, the catalogue of requirements is very similar when it comes to performance, noise reduction, user comfort and safety.

As underground utility work continues to be of main interest in the West Coast states, the Western Society for Trenchless Technology (WESTT) will provide valuable information and solutions for many of these infrastructure needs during its 4th Annual Western Regional No-Dig Conference and Exhibition scheduled Oct. 13-14 at the Holiday Inn Capitol Plaza in Sacramento, Calif.

Pure Technologies Ltd., TSX-V: PUR, announced that it entered into an agreement in principle to purchase the operating subsidiaries of Jason Consultants Group Ltd. ("Jason"). Jason is a specialist consultancy focused on underground infrastructure engineering and technology.

In September and October 2007, 57 young women and men start their careers doing an apprenticeship or cooperative education program with Herrenknecht AG. Currently, Herrenknecht trains a total of 137 junior employees. Compared with last year, this represents an increase of more than 20 %. For Herrenknecht, recruiting trainees and cooperative education students has proven to be a reliable solution in order to shape prospective qualified labor for the industrial, technical and administrative divisions of the company. Herrenknecht offers interesting perspectives to the junior employees in an innovative and future-proof technological environment.

Pioneering pipe material BorSafe™ HE3490-LS-H from Borealis has played an important role in preserving the tranquillity and natural beauty of Föhr, Germany’s second largest North Sea Island and a popular and picturesque holiday destination. Föhr’s Water Supply Association chose RAUPROTECT BorSafe HE3490-LSH-based pipes from REHAU to create a high quality water supply with a long working life for Föhr’s population, while ensuring minimal environmental disturbance during installation. The 8km-long cross-island pipeline connects Wyk on the south east coast with Utersum on the south west coast, and also serves the hamlets located between the two towns.

Thames Water began a four-year programme at the beginning of October to install water meters to all homes in Bromley and Croydon (England) on change of occupancy.

The world's largest producer of rails and turnouts is VOEST Alpine Eisenbahn GmbH (VAEE). With its 700 employees it is also one of the largest employers in Zeltweg, Austria. A high demand on electricity is however necessary for the production so that the current high energy prices induced the management to look for a more attractive power source.