PIPA News
PIPA aims to enhance the knowledge and awareness of contemporary plastics pipeline technologies amongst specifiers, users and installers.
current news items
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As a part of PIPA's commitment, frequently asked questions about plastics pipe materials or pipeline systems are answered on the FAQs page, which can be accessed from the Technical, Environment and Application pages.
As a further example of PIPA's commitment, a page has been devoted to the recycling of plastics pipe. After the successful trial, the plastics pipes recycling from demolition and construction waste has been established in three states of Australia. The Plastics Pipe Recycling page, which can be accessed from all the main pages of this site.
PE Coal Seam Gas Gathering Pipelines Seminar
Over 170 people attended a joint seminar between APIA and PIPA at the Brisbane Hilton on 4 February 2010. The topic was Polyethylene (PE) pipelines in coal seam gas applications. PE has been used in Queensland for coal seam gas gathering lines for a decade but with the CSG industry about to expand enormously there was plenty of interest from around Australia and overseas.
Copies of the Technical presentations given by several PIPA members on a range of topics of specific interest to the CSG industry, are available in PDF format for download.
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Predrag Micic (Qenos) |
Development of PE compounds (1.12Mb) |
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Enzo Bova (Georg Fischer) |
Butt and electrofusion welding (5.0Mb) |
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Robin Bresser (Borouge) |
A global perspective of PE pipe (3.6Mb) |
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David Chappell (PPI) |
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Michael Stahmer (Vinidex) |
Pressure testing of pipelines (1.4Mb) |
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Alan Whittle (Iplex) |
GBCA announces changes to the PVC credit in Green Star
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) announced on 15 January 2010 the outcome of their review of the PVC material credit in the Green Star Rating tool. The changes being introduced by the GBCA are the culmination of a long and rigorous review of PVC in the built environment. This review has been comprehensive taking over 18 months to complete involving an expert reference panel assembled by the GBCA, inspections of Australian facilities and an extensive international literature review.
The outcome will see the GBCA move away from the negative credit approach currently in place and instead adopt a positive reward where suitably certified PVC products (including pipe and conduit) can attract points under the Green Star rating system. These products will be independently third party certified as meeting the “best practice requirements” as defined by the GBCA.
The following is an extract from the press release quoting GBCA CEO Romilly Madew outlining the reasons and justification for the proposed new approach;
“Rewarding best practice PVC products within the Green Star rating system will stimulate demand for best practice, responsibly-produced PVC products in Australia,” said Ms Madew. A series of Expert Reference Panel meetings, site visits, discussions with key stakeholders, and examination of international studies had shown that the lifecycle of PVC, from raw materials and production through use to end-of-life, recycling and disposal has changed considerably in the past five years, Ms Madew explained.
The GBCA press release can be read in full by visiting their website www.gbca.org.au.
The GBCA are to be commended for taking this action as it not only recognises advances in the PVC industry generally and the Australian pipe sector in particular but also provides a framework that will continue to encourage and reward best practice product design in the future.
Cromford News Item
On 30 November 2009 Cromford Group Pty Ltd launched its new Cromford Pipe manufacturing facility at Moss Vale in the Southern Highlands of NSW. Cromford are manufacturers and distributors of PE, PVC and PPR pipe. Formerly Australian Film and Pipe Manufacturers, Cromford changed name and brand in October 2009, although remains part of Investment Company, Souls Private Equity Limited.
The Moss Vale plant employs more than 35 personnel from the local Moss Vale region in the production of Polyethylene Pipe for both project and major infrastructure applications. The facility was opened by the Hon. Phillip Costa, Member for Wollondilly and NSW Minister for Water. The opening event marked a significant achievement for Cromford Pipe, not just in relation to a first class manufacturing facility providing local employment, but also marking a period of business expansion for the Cromford Pipe business division.
Cromford Pipe aims for an ongoing expansion of site operations to meet customer and project demands, and to be recognised as the leader of best practice principles, both for workplace and amenity and environmental factors, within the industry.
L-R: Mr Ron Robson, Chairman, Cromford Group Pty Ltd; Hon. Mr Philip Costa, Member for Wollondilly, Minister for Water; Mr Andrew Luxton, CEO, Cromford Group Pty Ltd
PUBLICATIONS
January 2010
PIPA has released these Industry Guidelines which can be accessed from the Technical Guidelines page.
POP004, Polyethylene Pipe Compounds, which contains a sample of compounds accepted by the PIPA Polyolefins Technical Committee as meeting the requirements of Australian Standards.
October 2009
PIPA has released a new Industry Guidelines paper which can be accessed from the Technical Guidelines page.
POP103, Depth of Engagement for PVC Pipes, which describes in detail two methods that have been used to determine minimum depth of engagement for PVC pipes with elastomeric seal joints used for either pressure or non-pressure applications.
PIPA has released a new Maintenance Manual which can be accessed from the Technical Papers page.
MM002, PVC Pressure Pipe System Maintenance Guide, which summarise the products that are readily available from PIPA members for maintenance purposes of PVC pressure pipe systems. The techniques and fittings shown in this guide are suitable for use with all types of PVC pressure pipe – PVC-U, PVC-M and PVC-O.
Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia Limited
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