PolyMirae Launches New Hostalen Polypropylene Random Copolymer for Use in Hot and Cold Water Pipe Applications
PolyMirae Company Ltd, a joint venture of LyondellBasell Industries, has announced the commercial launch of Hostalen PP H5416K, a new polypropylene random copolymer (PP-R) intended for use in customer hot and cold water pipe applications. The grade has received ISO 15874-2 certification, and meets the stringent international standards of plastic piping systems for hot and cold water installations.
Hostalen PP H5416K is a natural nucleated grade with a good balance of mechanical properties, including superior heat resistance and outstanding durability.
According to PolyMirae product development manager GY Ha, the grade will address growing demand for PP-R resins in Asia, which has been outpacing supply. “Customer performance requirements have been high – such as low weight along with outstanding long-term pressure performance and resistance to corrosion. Through the innovative development efforts of PolyMirae and LyondellBasell, we’ve been able to develop a grade that meets all market needs and overcomes the quality and technology challenges as well as the rigid entry barriers set by stringent national and international quality standards.”
He added, “Hostalen PP H5416K offers customers good processing and productivity characteristics, along with extrusion stability and high heat resistance. Good pipe surface characteristics and welding properties can help producers achieve optimum productivity in the post-processing stage.”
Hot and cold water piping systems produced using PP-R materials must have a service life of more than 50 years. Just this month, Hostalen PP H5416K successfully completed the rigorous 18-month, industry-recognized durability test – the ISO 9080 test – at Exova Polymer AB (formerly known as Bodycote), the world’s largest independent accredited pipe testing lab, and is now ISO 15874-2 certified.
“This new grade is the result of outstanding collaboration between PolyMirae and LyondellBasell, which has leading technical expertise in the development and production of polypropylene used in pipe applications. PolyMirae looks forward to providing greater value to customers with this innovative product,” said Ha.
“This development represents PolyMirae’s first entry into the rapidly growing pipe segment, and at the same time contributes to LyondellBasell’s global sourcing strategy,” said Michael Vogt, LyondellBasell’s Asia Pacific market manager for the pipe, industrial sheet and pipe coating business unit. “It enhances our position as one of the global leaders in the development of PE and PP resins used in pipe applications, and will enable us to offer Asian customers a high-quality PP-R grade from a regional supply source.”
Hostalen PP H5416K has also met the requirements of the Chinese food contact national standard GB9693 for drinking water applications.
