Improvement in pipe systems

The Middle East is gearing up to meet intensified demand for industry-focused products and specialised solutions as the region moves forward to comply with global trend in eco-friendly building and construction. This trend has pushed the plastic industry to supply a range of sustainable products catering to building insulations, wires, piping, jacketing and fibre optics.

According to Global Industry Analysts, Inc., a leading market research firm, the global market for pipes and pipe/hose fittings is projected to reach $135 billion by 2018 mainly due to construction spending, rapid industrialisation, energy sector demand, and irrigation and water supply management. The report suggests that plastics are expected to become the fastest growing material for pipe production, overtaking metals in various areas, hence contributing to the growth of the sector as plastics hold an inherent flexibility and high performance for a wide range of applications. They are resistant to corrosion, lightweight and strong that makes them highly suitable for conventional architectural designs.

World Plastics for Construction Industries, a Jordan-based manufacturer of advanced piping systems, considers the construction industry highly lucrative for plastic products as the company is expecting projects in the region, given the fact that economies in this part of the world are progressing rapidly in terms of industrialisation, commercial and residential developments.

“We are expecting new and bigger conventional and expansion projects in the region hence demand for plastic products will definitely grow. We are targeting markets such as North Africa and Western Europe as well,” Engineer Hamza Abdin, Deputy General Manager explains.

World Plastics for Construction Industries currently provides six types of plastic pipes used for various purposes in the construction industry. Inclusive amongst others are Thermopipe and fittings (polypropylene random copolymer or PPRC pipes, used in domestic hot and cold water networks and main lines (raisers), central heating systems, and production lines), Alutherm (PPRC pipes which are improved versions of Thermopipe with an intermediate aluminum layer to strengthen the product and reduce its thermal expansion.

World Plastics for Construction Industries also produces cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes (Thermopex) used in cold and hot water networks and under-floor heating networks. These pipes are easy to install and maintain, are corrosion-resistant, and safe to transfer water and most of liquids. PEX 5L, thermal cross-linked polyethylene pipes (PEX) with oxygen diffusion barrier, are used for under-floor heating systems, medical fluids and gases and cooling systems. Made from unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), Electropipes and fittings are used for electric networks. They are flame-retardant and hold high strength/weight ratio. Another product, Aquapipe, is made from high density polyethylene compound (HDPE), and intended for urban drinking water networks, and main lines of irrigation networks.

“We are supplying our products to various projects in the UAE and various parts of the region. For instance, our thermopipes and fittings are being used in Etihad Towers (Abu Dhabi), Central Market and Saadiyat Villas,” Abdin said.

Plastic pipes as ideal alternative

Global demand for plastic pipes is projected to grow at 8.5% annually up to 2017, equivalent to 11.2 billionButy dziecięce