PPN- The Leading Source of Industry News on Polymer Pipes and Plastic Pipe Testing
Global News on Plastic Piping and Fittings in Real-Time
NEWSMAKERS: * ADS * Advanced Drainage Systems * Ageing Pipes * Aliaxis * CPVC * Class Action * Chlorinated PVC Pipes * Core & Main * ExcelPlas * Failure Analysis * Flowguard™ * Gas Pipe Explosion * Georg Fischer (GF) * Iplex * Lawsuits * Polybutylene Pipe Failures * PE Pipe Gas Rupture * Polymer Pipe Failures * Typlex™ Pipe Failures * UGI Gas * Uponor * VIP Pipe Lining * WA Plumbing Pipe Failures * WECO Pipe Lining
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
Big Costs Once More Torpedo Iplex-Parent Fletcher Building Forecasts
LEGAL NEWS
Crack the Case with ExcelPlas: The Polymer Pipe Detectives
ExcelPlas is a well-established and respected firm specialising in polymer forensic investigation and root cause analysis for the insurance, legal and risk management professions.
Our forensic polymer scientists and engineers investigate a wide range of losses including those with plastic pipes, geosynthetics, protective coatings and engineering problems.
If you think you might have the need for a polymer failure investigator, you can contact us for a free consultation to discuss how best we can support you.
Visit our page https://www.excelplas.com/ for more information on the disciplines we cover.
NEW DEVELOPMENTS
Georg Fischer Patents Hybrid Electrofusion Welder for Plastic Pipes
George Fischer Patents Electrofusion Weld that Can Reliably Operate with Extension Cords
INDUSTRY NEWS
Plastic Drainage Pipe Distributor Core & Main Net Sales Hit an All-time First-quarter Record of $1.91 billion
Marking a 9.8% YoY increase from $1.741 billion in Q1 2025
Core & Main (CMN) Stock Price Soars 185% in 2 Years
£21m Project to Rehabilitate Trunk Main Using a Hybrid Lining System
Millennium Main Rehabilitation Project (2025) VIP-WECO Hybrid liner installed within the large-diameter GRP pipes
The original pipeline displayed osmotic blistering in GRP pipe internal surface
Why Engineers and Installers are Specifying Flowguard™ Gold CPVC Over PEX Pipe
17% faster installation: Cut labour costs with solvent-welded joints (30 seconds vs. PEX’s 45+ seconds).
Eliminate biofilm risks: Microscopically smooth CPVC resists bacterial growth (Legionella/E. coli) lurking in PEX’s porous surfaces.
Chlorine-proof pipes: Immune to degradation from chlorine dioxide (used in 94% more utilities in the USA since 2010).
CPVC is Totally immune to chlorine degradation
New Research Unlocks Process to Improve Polybutene-1 Pipe Performance Through Rotational Shear Processing
Tensile test show that the hoop mechanical properties of the pipes were significantly enhanced, especially at 8 rpm, where the tensile strength of the pipes increased from 14.98 MPa in static conditions to 29.99 MPa
Aliaxis Seeking a Sales Coordinator
Aliaxis Seeking a Quality Engineer
IN CASE YOU MISSED !!
Lawsuit Filed Against Gas Company After House Explosion That Killed Teenager Caused by Defective Polyethylene Pipe
The lawsuit also claims the pipe was made of a material “substantially more susceptible to cracks and ruptures” than other metal or polymer-based pipes
Parents of Son Killed by Polyethylene Gas Pipe Leak and Explosion sent Gas Bill
Gas Company and State Regulators Settle Natural Gas Eruption Case that Killed a Woman Due to Poor HDPE Pipe Welding
The gas eruption occurred because UGI’s contractor, Leeward Construction improperly fused two, 600 mm OD HDPE pipes
The investigators found the gas company UGI had multiple breaches in HDPE pipe welding methods including:
- Lacked procedures to record the maintenance of equipment used to fuse HDPE pipes.
- Used the wrong machine to fuse HDPE pipes based on the company’s fusion procedures.
- Used miter joints — pipes cut and joined at angles — which are forbidden under federal PE gas pipe installation standards.
- Failed to properly inspect fused HDPE pipes.
- Lacked proper procedures and specific training for fusing HDPE pipes with specific equipment under gas pressure.
- Used outdated construction standards to fuse HDPE pipes.
Plastic Pipe maker ADS Closing Plastic Recycling Plant in USA Laying off 71 Employees
Hilliard, Ohio-based Advanced Drainage Systems Inc. (ADS) is closing a recycling plant in Waterloo, Iowa, and laying off 71employees effective Aug. 17
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
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.
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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