APPLUS+, a global inspection, testing and certification company – through its subsidiary Applus RTD – has teamed up with its US-based company Kiefner to create an industry partnership with IOWA State University (ISU) to support its Centre for Non Destructive Evaluation.
The partnership coincides with the announcement of a recent award given to the university by the US Department of Transportation’s Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA), as part of its new Competitive Academic Agreement Program (CAAP).
CAAP was created to introduce MS and PhD students to common pipeline integrity challenges and demonstrate how their engineering or technical backgrounds might contribute to the field of pipeline safety.
“Safety is a top priority and we’re committed to investing in innovative technologies that will strengthen our nation’s pipeline system well into the future,” says US Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx.
As part of the agreement Applus RTD and Kiefner will provide a strong technical background with applied knowledge of the industry for students to call upon. This relationship will, in turn, allow students to see how their research is directly affecting the industry and aim to provide a better focus for research and development in the future.
Martin Fingerhut, president of Kiefner, says: “It is with great satisfaction that Kiefner with support from its pipeline industry clients, the talented engineering team that Kiefner employs, announce their relationship with ISU.”
“Through this relationship we can now realise a vision for engaging the academic community for developing novel solutions for the pipeline industry, and simultaneously enhance the opportunity for graduate and PhD students through participation in solving common pipeline industry problems, via PHMSA’s CAAP programme.”
Applus+ is one of the world’s leading companies in testing, inspection and certification. It provides solutions for customers in all types of industries to ensure that their assets and products meet quality, health and safety, and environmental standards and regulations.
Applus+ achieved a turnover of €1.58 million ($1.93 million) in 2013, employs 19,000 people and operates in more than 60 countries across five continents.
Applus RTD is the global leader in non-destructive testing, inspection and certification, focused on providing total solutions to ensure the integrity of the assets since 1937. The company provides Asset Integrity Services, standard as well as tailor-made, to ensure the quality and profitability of the assets. Applus RTD provides local NDT&I services all over the world, with state-of-the-art techniques, and qualified employees.
