Responding to growing demand
Considerable growth in the use of PPR (Random Copolymer Polypropylene) pipe systems in new buildings has resulted in a surging demand for PPR material in expanding markets across Eastern Europe, North Africa, and Asia. SABIC is increasing its PPR manufacturing capacity to meet this growing need.
Advantages spurring growth
The advantages of PPR systems include cost benefits over traditional copper systems, as well as easier maintenance and no corrosion issues. PPR pipes offer long-term improvements in water quality and in the reliability of sanitary systems.
In Western Europe, the advantages of PPR pipes are sometimes outweighed by the higher labor costs incurred when fitting the systems, but, in markets with a lower cost of labor, PPR’s advantages are driving a big increase in demand.
Due to limits in the supply of PPR, converters are struggling to meet the increasing demand for plastic pipe systems. The few suppliers capable of producing PPR pipe grades are all at full capacity. Therefore, the rising numbers of PPR pipe converters around the world have to rely on suppliers such as SABIC to expand PPR production and meet the growing needs of their customers.
Meeting the demand
SABIC has been manufacturing PPR at Gelsenkirchen in Germany for 25 years, mainly for sanitary pipe applications.
SABIC is currently investing in upgrading its Gelsenkirchen plants to create new capacity for the key PPR products used in water pipe systems, such as SABIC® Vestolen P 9421, which has been regarded as the industry standard for many years. The plants will work alongside each other, creating a flexible and responsive manufacturing base that can offer security of supply in expanding markets.
SABIC’s investment in capacity for PPR will help ensure that converters have the material they need to meet the urgent needs of their customers.
Summary
Name: SABIC® PP products for pipe applications
Grades: SABIC® Vestolen P 9421
Major features:
- SABIC is committed to supplying PPR to meet the growing demand for safe water systems from developing economies
- Upgrade of production facilities make higher capacity available for strongly developing PPR application segment
- This is an excellent example of SABIC’s “Sharing our futures” philosophy in action with converters and customers
SABIC is exhibiting at K2007 Hall 6, Stand D42.
