Plastic pipes experts share wealth of knowledge

Top international and local experts addressed various issues relating to pipes, fittings and infrastructure at this year’s Pipes VII Conference that took place recently at the Bytes Conference Centre in Midrand last September. The event was hosted by the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers’ Association (SAPPMA).“The focus on this year’s event fell strongly on the challenges and opportunities the plastic pipe and water infrastructure industries are facing, while the speakers highlighted some of the trends that influence the direction the industry is taking on a local and global scale”, explained Jan Venter, Chairman of SAPPMA.

Close to 200 delegates attended the day-long conference, which was well attended by consulting engineers, roleplayers in the industry, SAPPMA members and the media.

Local and international speakers

Economist Dr Roelof Botha delivered an entertaining keynote address, and managed to convey profound and deep truths and insights about the local and global economy while having the audience in fits of laughter. International presentations included Steven Tan of PVC4Pipes Brussel, Ulrich Schulte of Frankfurt, Germany, MohanaMurali of Borouge (Middle East), and Paul Hutchings of Reinert – Ritz GmbH Germany.

“We were privileged to have such a strong international presence at this year’s conference, giving our delegates important international perspectives on issues relating to the use and manufacture of HDPE and PVC pipes,” Venter says.

South African views and research were presented by various top local practitioners, including Peter Fischer of Royal HaskoningDHV, Mike Smart of Genesis Consulting, Marco van Dijk of the Dept of Civil Engineering, University of Pretoria, Delanie Bezuidenhout (SAVA), Ian Venter (Marley Pipe Systems) and Faith Mkhacwa of the CSIR.

Exhibition highlights

In addition to the thought-provoking presentations, delegates were also given the opportunity to visit the stands of SA Leak Detection (Gold Certificate winner), Marley Pipe Systems (Silver Certificate winner), Hydrodifusion (Bronze Certificate winner), DPI Plastics, Fiberpipe, Protea Polymers, Plastics SA, Roundabout Water Solutions, Interact Media and Plastitech. Main sponsors were Fiberpipe, Protea Polymers and DPI Plastics, while secondary sponsorships were given by Sun Ace, Sasol Polymers, Marley Pipe Systems, Emeraude, Flo-tek and Capital Polymers.

SAPPMA has been in the forefront of activities to educate manufacturers and organisations in South Africa on issues confronting the production and use of plastic pipes. It is a voluntary, selfregulating association incorporated under Section 21 as a company not for gains and represents most of the key stakeholders in the field of plastic pipe manufacturing in Southern Africa.The focus of SAPPMA as a non-profit organisation is to improve and maintain long term product quality.

South Africa produces approximately 140 000 tonnes of plastic pipe annually, which are used for a wide spectrum of markets such as civil, mining, building, agriculture, telecommunication and industrial.