Once upon a time HDPE pipes and fittings were merely viewed as alternative products in a pile of numerous options for infrastructure projects in Africa.Now they are becoming a necessity, their importance enhanced by contemporary demands of our times.

 

Those who have been observant can note an attitude shift in the choice of construction materials worldwide, with growing preference for products which address our generation’s main priorities – cost and environmental consciousness. This is prominent in the piping industry, in the application of high density polyethylene (HDPE)pipes and fittings in particular.

 

It is hard to ignore the growing bias towards HDPE pipes and fittings due to their green attributes and comparative cost effectiveness.

 

A recently concluded study by the South African Plastic Pipes Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA) Technical Committee substantiates the growing appetite for HDPE pipes and fittings as the right products to address current infrastructure development challenges. In general, the study’s findings underline the main benefits that HDPE brings as low energy costs, low environmental impact and reasonably low operation and maintenance costs over products manufactured from other materials.

 

Highly biodegradable

 

In fact, one gains a better appreciation about the benefits of HDPE particularly, when ease of recycling and lower energy costs incurred in the recycling process are considered, points out SAPPMA Chairperson, Jan Venter.

 

“The ability to be recycled with minimal waste significantly reduces environmental pollution, a feature not very prominent in other products,” he notes.

Source : constructionreviewonline.com