PVC4Pipes’ Post

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And with that the 3rd PVC4Pipes Conference has come to the end! Our moderator Zdenek Hruska wrapped up the conference by thanking speakers, delegates, and organisers for another successful PVC4Pipes Conference that gathered the whole PVC piping value chain to discuss sustainable #innovation. See you next time!

Marco Secchiari, Technical Manager at Sica SpA - Lifetime value for pipes, introduced a new thermoforming process for integrating Rieber socket joints in PVC-O pipes for pressurized water distribution. This innovative method is applicable to a wide range of PVC-O pipes, covering various pressure classes and orientation levels, ensuring compatibility with ISO, AS/NZS, and ANSI/AWWA standards.

Rajesh Ranjan, Director of R&D at Weld-On, highlights the increasing importance of reducing VOC emissions in solvent cement. As VOC regulations become stricter, new low-emission products are emerging that perform comparably to traditional adhesives. Both indoor and outdoor VOC emissions will need to be addressed. Weld-On is at forefront of the development, having already developed products with much lower VOC emissions.

Securing a 100+ Year Design Lifetime for PVC-U Pressure Pipes Joaquín Lahoz Castillo from CEISLAB explained how to secure a 100+ year design lifetime for #PVC-U pressure #pipes. Using an appropriate Ca/Zn stabilised S-PVC K66-68 compound and processing it with a conical or parallel twin screw extruder at melt temperatures of at least 185°C can achieve a long-term pressure strength (LPL100y) of ≥25 MPa. DSC analysis, particularly B-onset temperature and gelation degree, plays a crucial role in Quality Control. A B-onset temperature of 185°C and a gelation degree of at least 70% are required to meet performance targets, while going beyond 80% gelation offers minimal benefits and increases the risk of PVC degradation.

Amitosh Dash from KWR Water Research Institute highlighted the need for a coordinated exit assessment programme for PVC drinking water pipes in the Netherlands, especially given the high cost of replacement—replacing just 600 km of #PVC #pipes in a year could cost €150 million. As PVC remains the dominant material for drinking #water infrastructure in the Netherlands, prioritising which pipes to replace has been a key challenge. USTORE, the failure registration database for Dutch water utilities, has recorded over 35,000 failures since 2009, including more than 8,300 for PVC and PVC-O pipes, with 31% of these failures caused by longitudinal cracks. So far, only 50 specimens have been assessed, with too many of them damaged. This exit assessment programme would test exhumed pipes to help asset managers make informed, cost-effective decisions on pipe replacements—and collaboration with the PVC piping value chain is welcome.

Standardisation expert Roland Dewitt highlighted the crucial role of standardisation in advancing PVC recycling for piping systems. Mechanical #recycling, which converts plastic into recyclate without altering its chemical structure, is key to this process. By revising product standards, producers can use recycled materials more flexibly while maintaining the quality and performance of pipes and fittings. New standards focused on #PVC waste valorisation support emerging EC regulations, expanding the value chain and driving sustainability across the industry.

Eric Romers from INEOS Inovyn introduced Project Circle, a roadmap for developing advanced #recycling technologies to tackle PVC waste that cannot be mechanically recycled, such as those containing legacy additives. The project focuses on developing dissolution, pyrolysis, and gasification technologies, with the first industrial dissolution plant targeted for 2030. Lab-scale testing of dissolution technology building on Vinyloop has successfully extracted lead and cadmium from rigid PVC, ensuring REACH compliance. With two pilot plants already in operation, the project is paving the way for closing the loop for #PVC.

Dr. Stefan Fokken, Head of R&D at Baerlocher Group, highlighted the global developments in PVC pipe applications in light of upcoming restrictions. The continuous evolution of stabilisation technology is crucial to addressing regulatory demands and new technologies. Calcium-based solutions are already available and in use for PVC-O, while tin-free solutions are ready for C-PVC applications. The management of legacy additives remains a key focus, supporting the industry's progress toward circularity.

TEPPFA is committed to advancing the #circulareconomy as part of its strategy. TEPPFA members are fully prepared to comply with the new lead restriction and are collaborating with PVC recyclers to ensure separation of profiles and pipes, aligning with closed-loop requirements by May 2026. However, the long 50–100+ year lifespan of #PVC #pipes limits the supply of recycled PVC. To address this, TEPPFA members are intensifying efforts to collect end-of-life plastic pipes through both existing and newly established schemes, ensuring a #sustainable future for the industry. – Ludo Debever, General Manager at TEPPFA, in Prague at the 3rd PVC4Pipes Conference.