EPA Reports on PVC VC Monomer Dangers

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PPN News Alerts bringing together the complete supply chain from manufacturers of resins, plastic pipes and fittings, machinery and equipment to specifiers, designers, suppliers and end-users!

BREAKING NEWS

US EPA Publishes Draft Report into Dangers of VC Monomer Used for Manufacture of PVC Pipes – May 2025  (Declassified)

Macquarie Cuts Price Target on Iplex Parent Fletcher Building (ASX: FBU)
Macquarie downgrades Fletcher Building price target to AU$1.85, forecasting nearly 40% downside
Analysts cite weak market conditions in Australia and New Zealand, alongside restructuring efforts

WA Government Publishes Factsheet on Polybutylene Pipes in WA Homes (Updated 21 May 2025)

BUSINESS NEWS

Belgium-based Aliaxis Wins Award for LATAM Treasury Overhaul
From Chaos to Control: How Aliaxis Centralised Treasury Across 10 LATAM Countries

GF Appoints New President of GF Piping Systems
The Board of Directors of GF has nominated Thomas Hary as new President of GF Piping Systems, effective 1 June 2025. He succeeds Andreas Müller who has assumed the position on an interim basis alongside his role as CEO of GF.

INDUSTRY NEWS

Back to the Future – Revisiting Polybutylene’s Troubled Past [PDF]

Borealis Publish Landmark Paper Announcing that Polyethylene Piping Systems are the Future for Supply of Gaseous Fuels up to 10 Bar [PDF]

Built for Generations: Borealis and Borouge Showcase Pipe Innovation at K 2025
At K2025 in Düsseldorf, October 8 – 15, Borealis and Borouge will showcase a powerful portfolio of polyethylene and polypropylene infrastructure solutions for pipes and fittings
From BorECO™ sewage pipes and BorSafe™ drinking water and gas pipes, to BorSafe™ SLS super low sag, large-diameter PE-X and PP-RCT for hot water, and Borstar® HE3477-RT for oil and gas

Fitness Tracker for Plastic Water Pipes Could Spot Bursts Before They Happen
Three plastic pipelines of various ages and burst histories are being used in the Datatecnics trial are the first fully digitised pipes in the world

Georg Fischer Receives German Innovation Award for Infrared (IR) Fusion Welding of Thermoplastic Pipes

REHAU Introduce New Universal Pipe Coupling to the Market – Meet MultiFlex®

New Study Funded by Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS) Predicts Temperature Profiles in Soil and the Effect of Heat Conduction on Buried Thermoplastic Pipes During a Wildfire

Time-to-Failure Based Deterioration Factors of Water Networks: Systematic Review and Prioritization

Discover the Power and Mobility of the NEW McElroy Tritan 560 Fusion Machine for HDPE Pipelines

Lead Pipe Out, Which Pipe In? A Case for Prioritizing Performance, Safety, Health, and Technical Factors When Replacing Lead Pipes

Water Infrastructure Project to Replace 98 km of Ageing Pipes with HDPE Pipes at a Cost of €9.5m

Plastic Pipes Used for Innovative Road Crossings Reduce Crab Roadkill Rate

ADS Develops Innovative Drainage System for Plastic Pipes

ADS Boosts Sales by Moving Beyond Plastic Pipes

H2 TRANSPORT

Borealis Publish Landmark Paper Announcing that Polyethylene Piping Systems are the Future for Supply of Gaseous Fuels up to 10 Bar [PDF]

HDPE PIPES

Analysis of Residual Stress of Butt Fusion Joints for Polyethylene Gas Pipes
The performance of high-density polyethylene (PE) pipes joints directly affects the total pipeline’s operation, and so studying the residual stress of butt fusion joints is crucial for enhancing the safety of gas pipelines. Based on a layer-by-layer ring cutting test method, we measured the distribution of residual stresses in the fusion zone and heat-affected zone of butt fusion joints for PE gas pipes. 

Predicting Temperature Profiles in Soil and the Effect of Heat Conduction on Buried Thermoplastic Pipes During a Wildfire
The study was funded by Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS)
The method is used to generate a fragility curve, which shows the probability that the temperature on the exterior surface of a buried thermoplastic plastic pipe will exceed the maximum service temperature of 60°C as a function of soil cover thickness. 

Reliability Analysis of Slow Crack Growth (SCG) in HDPE pipes: Impact of Buried Pipeline Design and Soil Characteristics

Parametric Investigation on the Response of HDPE Pipes to Eccentric Loading

POLYBUTYLENE PIPES

Back to the Future – Revisiting Polybutylene’s Troubled Past [PDF]

PVC PIPES

Improvement in Fire Resistance and Smoke Leakage Performance for Existing PVC Pipes Passing Through Walls

Life Cycle Cost Analysis of Maintenance Approaches for High-Wear Components in PVC Pipe Extruders: A Systematic Review

Are PVC Pipe’s Days Numbered?

PLASTIC LININGS

Axial Tensile Performance of Ductile Iron Pipeline Joints Rehabilitated by Corrosion-Protection Polymer Linings

COPPER PIPE COMPETITIVE THREAT

UK Faces Increasing Risks from Outdated Systems Where Aging Pipes and Materials such as Lead and Plastic can Lead to Contamination and Water Leaks

PLASTIC PIPE CONSULTANTS

Plastic Pipe Consulting Experts and Services
If you need a team of pipe plastic experts, then ExcelPlas Consulting is the obvious choice – our size is our strength in a market dominated by single consultants.
We provide services on everything from material selection, product testing, processing to failure analysis
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

Plastic Pipe Failure – Solve Problems, Limit Damage and Avoid Future Failures
Where polymer pipes are used in engineering applications, reliable and consistent performance is critically important. Failure can have damaging and expensive consequences. We offer expertise in materials properties and durability – with a range of specialist testing and analysis.
 ExcelPlas Labs can help you:

• Understand plastic pipe materials and test their performance properties and durability
• Specify and select polymers based on service requirements
• Understand and recognise how plastic pipes and fittings can fail
• Appreciate how to investigate plastic pipe failures
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

PIPE FAILURE ANALYSIS

ExcelPlas Investigating Poly Pipe Failures
Through failure analysis & forensic chemistry, we help clients improve product performance, increase profits, & resolve product liability claims with plastic pipes and fittings.
We are dedicated to unmatched excellence in failure analysis, investigative chemistry, material testing, and expert witnessing for plastics, polymers and composites.
With over 30 years of investigative experience, the staff at ExcelPlas are uniquely positioned to help clients resolve the most challenging performance and processing issues related to materials and finished pipes and fittings.
https://www.excelplas.com/contact-us/

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ExcelPlas Labs Pipe Failure Investigations
ExcelPlas Labs have created a new benchmark in failure analysis of HDPE, PP-R, PB and PEX pipes in addition to PVC &  CPVC pipes as well as composite GRP and GRE pipes.  When a plastic pipeline fails to perform as intended, our team can determine the root cause of failure (e.g.  oxidative failure, chemical failure, creep failure, over-stress failure, fatigue failure, design failure, etc).  ExcelPlas are experienced with all plastic piping failure modes and mechanisms including Slow Crack Growth (SCG) Rapid Crack Propagation (RCP), Environmental Stress Crack Resistance (ESCR), Oxidative Stress Cracking (OSC), cyclic fatigue, manufacturing defects, and polymer material problems.
http://www.excelplas.com/

ExcelPlas Strain Hardening Test (SHT) for HDPE Pipes
The SHT in accordance with ISO 18488 is a relatively new, but excellent way to obtain a rapid indication of the Stress Crack Growth (SCG) resistance of your piping material. This tensile test performed at 80°C has become in just a few years the new standard for Batch Release Testing (BRT). And not without reason.  The test requires only a very small amount of material, the results are very reliable with a very low inter-laboratory scatter and the results are available within a few days, regardless of the PE grade. The SHT is usually performed on resin material but it can also be performed on samples taken directly from pipes or sheets. As accredited lab, EXCELPLAS is happy to discuss the possibilities with you, whether it is for BRT, benchmarking, quality control of your (high performing) PE grade or for polymer compliance/ validation.
http://www.excelplas.com/

Australia’s Plastic Pipe Testing Laboratory
ExcelPlas Laboratories provides a comprehensive plastic pipe joint testing service and is equipped with a state-of-the-art laboratory to test a range of polymer materials including polyethylene and polypropylene. ExcelPlas can carry out testing on plastic tube and pipe ranging in wall thickness from 3mm to 1200mm. ExcelPlas Laboratories provide a comprehensive service to Industrial & commercial companies, environmental consultants, Government bodies, and local Authority customers throughout Australia and Asia. All testing is carried and out in accordance with ASTM, ISO & WIS methods and is fully accredited to ISO 17025 by NATA.

  • Butt Fusion Weld Testing
  • Weld Testing
  • Testing of Electro-fusion Welds
  • Tear on saddle joints
  • Crush De-cohesion of Electro-fusion welds
  • Polymer & Plastics Identification
  • Chemical & Thermal Testing
  • Site Audits

http://www.excelplas.com/

ExcelPlas – the Australian Pipes & Fittings Testing Laboratory

  • Accredited to ISO 17025 by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Australia, and is Australia’s largest laboratory dedicated for the testing of plastic pipes and fittings to various Standards which include Australian, European and International Standards.
  • The staff employed at the laboratory have a combined experience of more than 85 years within the plastics industry specifically with manufacturing, quality control and the research and development of plastic piping systems including HDPE, PEX, PP-R, PVC, U-PVC, M-PVC, O-PVC, ABS, GRP, GRE and PB.
  • Services provided include conformance testing, compliance testing, batch release testing, root cause analysis for field failures and non-destructive testing of samples.

http://www.excelplas.com/

ExcelPlas Lab Specialising in HDPE Pipe Condition Monitoring, Failure Analysis and Testing
In the event of a HDPE buttweld or electrofusion weld failing during initial testing, or in service, we can conduct investigations to assist in identifying the root cause of the failure.
This service also extends to the premature failure of the pipe or fitting itself.
http://www.excelplas.com/plastic-pipes

ExcelPlas Pipe Testing is a Leader in the Field of Polyethylene (PE) and High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE) Testing
ExcelPlas is accredited with the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) for butt weld tests, bend and tensile tests, peel decohesion tests on electro fusion sockets and failure mode determination
http://www.polypipetesting.com.au/butt-fusion-welds/

New UHMWPE Pipe for Tailing Offers Greater Than 4X the Abrasion Resistance of PE100 (Australia wide)
http://slurrypipes.com.au/

ExcelPlas Poly Pipe Weld Inspection Lists Top 7 Causes of Weld Failure:

  • Lack of scraping
  • Inaccurate scraping
  • Contamination from dirt, water, oil or clays
  • Lack of Paralell-ness of fusion faces
  • Misalignment of surfaces
  • Time, temperature and pressure deviations
  • Not adhering to cool times

We have extensive experience in inspection of poly pipe welds for assuring welded joint quality.  Direct Poly Pipe Inspection ensures that operators are following the proven welding procedure; this reduces the occurrences of operational errors which lead to defects such as inclusions, lack of fusion (LoF), porosity and misalignment.
More information, contact [email protected]

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