Major technical and business advances will be announced at the International Plastic Pipes XX Conference and Exhibition. These developments are previewed by the provisional program of papers for the conference that will be held September 6–8, 2021 at the Okura Hotel in Amsterdam.
Zoran Davidovski (PPXX Chairman) comments: “Ever since our first event in Southampton (UK) in 1972, our conferences have become a platform for news and reviews about innovation within the plastic pipe industry. Such innovation has not been stifled over the last 18 months—good ideas in our industry have always found their way to fruition.
“USA and the EU countries are now safe countries from which to travel to The Netherlands. Very soon, over 400 business and technology delegates from around the world will meet in Amsterdam to share insights into the fascinating world of plastic pipe systems. The entire industrial supply chain will be represented and like our plastic pipes, these networking connections will be long lasting.”
Hydrogen: Lightweight Pipes for Lightweight Gas
Plastic pipelines that deliver hydrogen also come with the promise of long life. The conference will review UK results from testing polyethylene pipes for use in gas distribution systems. Given that hydrogen is easily produced from renewable sources, its potential for such an application is gathering interest elsewhere in Northern Europe.
For example, the Danish Gas Technology Centre will report with raw material supplier Borealis on 10 years of testing experience in a small-scale pilot grid. From the Netherlands, where hydrogen is already a key component in the current energy transition, Kiwa Technology will announce their test results on a reinforced thermoplastic pipe (RTP) system with an HDPE liner for hydrogen gas distribution.
Morocco—No More Walking for Water in Rural Community
PPXX will feature numerous project case studies that illustrate the many benefits of flexible plastic pipe systems over those of more rigid pipe materials. One interesting study will be presented by the Columbian University Chapter of Engineers Without Borders. This student engineering project was undertaken in the rural community of Ait Bayoud, Morocco, where two of the most remote villages endured water scarcity.
A previously installed leaking iron pipe was beyond repair and to meet their water needs, women and children were compelled to walk several kilometers to the nearest spring each day.
Over the course of six weeks, engineering students from the Chapter implemented a fully functional 4-kilometer HDPE pipeline complete with a 38,000-liter tank, 5.4-kW solar pumping system, and four tapstands. This system currently distributes clean water to 370 people.
PVC Pipes—More Sustainable White Pigment
For more than 100 years, titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been used as a white pigment to make paint, sausages, toothpaste, and inks. Now Andrew White from FP Pigments Oy in the UK will announce to conference that a new generation of TiO2 has a significantly lower carbon footprint than conventional TiO2 in PVC pipe formulation.
“When replacing 10–35 wt% of the TiO2 in a PVC pipe formulation,” explains White, “the unique particle morphology and functionality enables the manufacturer to better optimize their formulations and to positively enhance the overall performance of PVC pipe systems.”
PVC pipe systems were first commercially introduced in 1936. Since then, long life and recycling have emphasized their environmental credentials. “This paper will review the technology, present a reduced carbon footprint as well as the most recent laboratory results in developing an improved sustainable PVC compound using smart titanium dioxide,” says White.
The preliminary PPXX technical program is posted at ppxx.eu/en/technical-program/preliminary-abstract-book-and-program.
Online registration for the Conference is available at ppxx.eu/en/registration/registration-info.
Source: Plastics Pipe Institute
