International Developments in Plastics Pipes

Jon Nash of AMI Consulting has been conducting extensive studies on the plastics industry in the Middle East and is presenting a market overview at the international conference, Middle East Plastic Pipes 2010, which takes place from 17-19 May 2010 at the JW Marriott Hotel in Dubai. This year Al Waha Petrochemical has announced new production of polypropylene pipe grade material in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in a venture with LyondellBasell. There are also new material developments from Borouge, which supplies “tough” grades of PE 100 and is introducing high modulus PP grades into the MENA area. Plastics pipes are increasingly replacing traditional materials in piping systems in the MENA region in both new build and in rehabilitation and repairs. There is a wide range of regional applications from infrastructure networks and plumbing, marine outfall pipes, district heating and cooling, to industrial uses such as desalination plants and oilfield pipe. Zentech Belgium has studied the use of PE in marine piping, which is a growing area, and there is a sizeable market for performance pipes with a high percentage of GRP. Radius Systems has developed a new PE pipe with a surface skin to provide additional protection. Vahid Industrial Group produces PP pipes with an antimicrobial layer for earth-to-air heat exchange systems, which cool surface air in summer and heat it in winter. Polyurethane insulation is used for pipes in heating and cooling systems, from UAE companies such as Baystems Pearl. Union Pipes Industry manufactured HDPE pipes for the Ruwais sea-water cooling lines – the largest regional project of its kind. In Brazil, Braskem has worked with the Department of Water and Sewage in the city of Porto Alegre over a period of 23 years to install 1700km of PE pipes for water distribution and 1000 km in sewage, to reduce leaks and cut water losses. Georg Fischer Piping Systems is active in pipe production and installations in the Middle East and is involved in all aspects including maintenance and repair programmes. McElroy Manufacturing has extensive experience worldwide in pipe laying and has examined ways of improving productivity, safety and efficiency of HDPE pipes. Total Petrochemicals Research Feluy has studied the durability of butt-welded thick PE 100 pipes. Noavaran Baspar in Iran works in testing and standards, most recently the company looked at quality rankings for Iranian PE pipe manufacturers. The Association of PVC Pipe and Fitting Manufacturers in Iran also focuses on quality control and marks. Plastiferro Tubos is a major pipe producer in Argentina. It has developed a PVC pipe system with butt fusion joint technology for use in water, sewer and conduit applications in trench and trenchless installations. Hultec Europe has a PVC pipe and fitting restraint system, which enables the pipe to be installed trenchless using horizontal direct drilling (HDD). AOC is a leading resin supplier to the GRP pipe market and works with companies to develop production including larger diameter systems. The world market has shown growth, and Kolon Industries has studied the pipe and manhole market in East Asia. A recent project at Kuwait Oil used RTP pipes from Pipelife for oil transport. Middle East Plastic Pipes 2010 is a unique international forum to debate the technical and market developments in the plastics pipe industry.