TEXTILES.ORG
1989
GFR reports that EPA regulations now require leak-detection systems and secondary containment lining … the September/October issue includes an IFAI marketing research article, “Geotextile Market Report: An Industry Evolving,” which charts annual production in millions of square yards: 1985 (210msy), 1986 (235msy), 1987 (264msy), 1988 (297msy), 1988 forecast (333msy), and 1990 projected (369msy).
1990
Danette Fettig begins a 16-year career at IFAI, starting as the GFR editor … In an interview with GFR, newly elected IGS president R. Kerry Rowe challenges the industry to “disseminate knowledge concerning the benefit and correct use of geosynthetics to a broader range of potential uses and to encourage the development of new and innovative products and applications.”
1991
GFR notes the founding and incorporation of the Geosynthetic Institute (GSI) … IFAI’s Geotextile Division starts a Washington Liaison Committee with a goal of expanding geotextile acceptance and use in federal projects.
1992
GFR reports that the Geotextile Division’s government relations Liaison Committee met with members of the U.S. House Public Works and Transportation Committee’s Surface Transportation Subcommittee to promote the use and value of geotextile materials in maintaining the nation’s infrastructure. Several representatives say they have never heard of geosynthetics.
1993
The magazine’s 10th anniversary is marked with a cover makeover that highlights the letters GFR in red … GFR now has 14,000 subscribers … GFR writes about industry growth slowing as municipalities put off work on landfills after the EPA’s ruling on Subtitle D is put on hold.
1994
GFR’s annual “Specifier’s Guide” is available on disk for the first time … 1994 is the first of five years for the Educate the Educators program—the “Professor Training Course for Geosynthetics” is the brainchild of Barry Christopher and courses are conducted during five summer sessions at Auburn (Ala.) University, 1994–1998. Geosynthetics courses are offered today at more than 60 universities, up from only six in 1994.