German pipe maker will commercialise the mono-material reinforced pipe technology

German PE pipe manufacturer Egeplast Werner Strumann has acquired Solvay’s HexelOne mono-material reinforced plastic pipe technology. The two companies have declined to release financial details of the agreement, which covers the transfer of technology, production equipment and know-how from Solvay to Egeplast.

The HexelOne process was developed at Solvay’s research and development campus at Neder-over-Heembeck in Belgium for production of large diameter pipes for water and gas distribution networks. The technology, which uses polymer orienting techniques to create a high-strength and lightweight mono-material structure, can be used for pipes ranging from 180 to 1,000mm in diameter.

Capable of handling pressure ratings of 25 bar or more, it is said to be suitable for utility applications as well as for transport of fluids in the manufacturing industry. Egeplast is the fourth largest manufacturer of PE pipes in Europe. Leopold Demiddeleer, corporate R&D and new business development director at Solvay says: “We believe that Egeplast is in the best position to realise the technology's full potential in terms of commercial success and in terms of environmental advantages for society at large.”