Plastics pipes are the material of choice for gas, water and sewage reticulation across Australia and indeed the World. Continuous product developments enhance the performance, competitiveness and environmental impact of plastics pipe options.

Plastics pipes are used for both infrastructure pipelines and pipes within properties and buildings for water and gas applications. They are used extensively in the mining industry (slurries and process fluids) and industrial process piping, as well as for conduit in electrical and communications applications.

Plastics pipes are used in pressure and non pressure applications. Pressure applications include irrigation, slurry lines, gas, compressed air, drinking water, sewer rising mains, domestic and commercial plumbing applications. Non pressure applications include gravity sewers and drainage, electrical and communications conduits.

The two major groups of plastics materials used in Australia for infrastructure piping (both pressure and non-pressure applications) are:

• polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and
• Polyolefins, predominantly represented by Polyethylene (PE) pipe but Polypropylene (PP) pipe has been successfully introduced into non-pressure or gravity systems for sewer and stormwater applications while Polybutylene (PB), cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) and PP are also typically used for smaller diameter hot and cold water plumbing systems.

Common questions for PVC relate to sustainability since PVC has come under significant scrutiny due to the interest of green groups. Polyolefins on the other hand have no sustainability issues and questions mainly reflect interest in pipe properties.

The Australian plastics pipe industry is acutely aware of the need to continually improve and implement environmentally sustainable practices. PIPA and its member companies are responsible professional organisations. The manufacturers have a focus on employee safety and occupational health within their respective facilities along with a dedication to improving environmental outcomes.

The Australian PVC industry, including PIPA and its member companies has established a Product Stewardship Commitment. This is a voluntary initiative of the Australian PVC industry and reports are published on progress covering a wide range of environmental related issues, including recycling.

As a part of PIPA's commitment, frequently asked questions about these pipe materials or pipeline systems are answered on these pages. The assistance of the Vinyl Council of Australia is acknowledged as the source of much of the material relating to PVC.