PPN- The Leading Source of Industry News on Polymer Pipes and Plastic Pipe Testing
The Most Widely Read Source of Information on Plastic Pipes! Thanks to our +15,000 subscribers for making PPN #1 in Plastic Pipe News Worldwide
NEWSMAKERS: * ABCB * Aliaxis * Berger Montague Lawyers * Borouge * Class Action * Dow * ExcelPlas * Experts.App * Failure Analysis * FBU * GF Piping Systems * GRP Pipelines * Iplex * Iran Conflict * Lead * Polymer Pipe Failures * SABIC * TWI Global * Typlex Failures * Ukrnafta * Uponor
BREAKING NEWS
New Lawsuit: Harmon et al v. Uponor Inc.
New Class action Lawsuit Filed Against Uponor Corporation Alleging that Plastic Plumbing Pipes Manufactured by the Company Caused Property Damage Due to Premature Failures
The case, Harmon et al v. Uponor Inc., Case No. 0:26-cv-01140, was filed on 6 February 2026 in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. The complaint was brought by plaintiffs Lindsey Harmon, Maribeth Borroughs, and Seunghun Kim, who claim that defective plumbing components produced by Uponor led to leaks and damage to residential properties.
The lawsuit is categorized as a property damage product liability action and has been filed as a putative class action, meaning the plaintiffs seek to represent a broader group of homeowners or property owners who may have experienced similar problems with the company’s plumbing pipe systems.
According to the complaint, the plaintiffs allege that Uponor manufactured and marketed plumbing pipe systems that can fail prematurely under normal operating conditions, potentially resulting in water leaks and significant property damage.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorneys from the law firm Berger Montague
Belgian Pipe Manufacturer Aliaxis Slips into the Red / Sale of German Business Unit
2025 and 2026 are proving difficult years for pipe manufacturer Aliaxis. Demand from end markets was significantly weaker, particularly in the construction sector, leading to falling volumes and profitability.
The group reported revenue of around EUR 3.5 bn, representing a decline of roughly 6.8% year-on-year. Operating earnings also dropped sharply, with recurring EBITDA falling to EUR 364 mn, around 31% below the previous year.
Due to exceptional items and restructuring effects, the company ultimately slipped into the red, posting a net loss of about EUR 68 mill for 2025. Recurring net profit, excluding these items, still amounted to roughly EUR 50 mn, but this was down sharply compared with the prior year.
Management attributed the downturn mainly to softer demand across global construction markets, with the US market proving particularly weak, putting pressure on the group’s North American operations.
As part of a broader programme to streamline the portfolio and strengthen the balance sheet, Aliaxis divested several assets, including the sale of its Marley Germany business. Additional measures included the sale of real estate and idle assets in the UK and Mexico, the exit from the Chilean market, and the closure of an exploratory research facility in France. The company said it will continue focusing on cost reductions, asset optimisation and cash generation as part of its Horizon 2030 strategy, aimed at improving resilience and preparing the group for an eventual recovery in construction activity.
WTF ! – ABCB Rules Plumbing Products Containing Lead Will Remain Legal to Install in Australia Until 2028
Plumbing products containing lead will remain legal to install in Australia until 2028, after the national building authority extended a phase-out deadline by two years.
The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), which sets national construction standards, said the delay was necessary due to “insufficient” availability of lead-free certified products.
According to the Plumbing Industry Climate Action Centre (PICAC), this means the vast majority of plumbing products, which contain between 4.5 per cent and 6 per cent lead content, can continue to be installed into Australian buildings until May 1, 2028.
It comes three years after the board declared only certified copper alloy products with less than 0.25 per cent lead content could be used to convey drinking water as a way to address the health effects caused by lead.
Borouge and SABIC Expected to Announce to Hike PE100 HDPE Resin Prices Due to Iran Conflict
Heightened security risks across Middle East sea lanes because of the US-Iran conflict is disrupting polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) supply and delivery. Heightened security risks across Middle East sea lanes because of the US-Iran are disrupting polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) flows as carriers suspend sailings and impose emergency surcharges. Despite the cost surge, vessel space remains constrained as shipowners cut departures on high-exposure routes and roll bookings. A large share of HDPE using Borealis technology is produced in the UAE through Borouge, a joint venture between Borealis AG and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company. Borouge operates a major petrochemical complex in Ruwais. The facility produces polyethylene (including HDPE and bimodal pipe grades) using Borealis Borstar® technology. US-Israeli strikes on Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz, threatening 1.125 million tons of PE supply to China. Exacerbating the situation SABIC swung to a massive net loss in 2025 due mainly to impairments and losses related to the divestment of assets in Europe and the Americas while separately announcing a new CEO last week.
Dow Asks Texas to Legalize Plastic Pollution (HDPE RESIN) from its Seadrift Complex
PIPE FAILURE
Aging PVC Pipe Joints – Understanding Seal Failure and Infiltration
The Hidden Risks of Imprecise Plastic Cuts in Construction And Manufacturing
How to Avoid the Rapid Aging of Epoxy Fiber-Glass Pipe
INDUSTRY NEWS
New Industry Project: Ultrasonic NDT of PE Pipe Butt Fusion Joints
Delivery of PE Pipes Signal Step Forward for Major Australian Pipeline Project
Ukrnafta has Started Using Cross-Linked Polyethylene Pipes to Transport Oil and Formation Water
PLASTIC PIPE TESTING SERVICES
Experts in Plastic and Plumbing Pipe/Fitting Testing and R&D Lab Services
ExcelPlas provides testing and R&D lab services for global plastics, pipes, and materials used in the water, gas, plumbing, and other industries. We assist manufacturers develop more durable and robust products while also reducing their time-to-market and dealing with costly failures.
We provide made-to-order independent and reliable testing and R&D services to help your company go beyond routine certification testing to demonstrate other aspects of a product’s safety and performance. Our staff of professional engineers, Ph.D. scientists and dedicated account managers supports your research and development projects.
ExcelPlas expertise and professional R&D services help you expedite market entry for plastic piping products. Our tailor-made research and development capabilities include advanced chemical and structural testing on plastic pipes, fittings and valves, metal fittings and components, manifolds, solvent cements, thread sealants, PVC ingredients and plastic materials for your global applications.
We conduct R&D-related testing on plastic pipes and fittings for oxidation under applied stress, varying flow rates, temperature and pressure, and chemical exposures.
Are you a manufacturer of plastic pipes, fittings, or materials used in piping systems? Our extensive testing and analysis capabilities cover plastic piping systems and components used in:
- Potable water
- Non-potable water: Drain, waste, and vent (DWV); Sewer; Reclaimed water
- Heating and cooling: Radiant heating, Gas distribution, Geothermal
- Power and communications conduit
- Fire safety: Fire main, Fire sprinkler
- Oil and gas gathering
We offer customized solutions through our advanced laboratory capabilities, including chemical and structural testing on plastic pipes, fittings, and valves, as well as metal fittings and components, manifolds, solvent cements, thread sealants, PVC ingredients, and plastic materials for your global applications. This enables you to meet unique performance and regulatory requirements with precision and efficiency. We’ve conducted R&D-related testing for oxidation under applied stress, varying flow rates, temperatures, and pressures, as well as chemical exposures.
By combining our expertise in these testing and product standards, as well as the areas listed below, we partner with our clients to create a tailored research and product development program.
We test the long-term impact of disinfectants on plastic material performance known as Oxidative Resistance Testing in multiple forms including pipe, plumbing components, fittings and test coupons with a fast turnaround.
We can test large-diameter plastic piping and we can test include PVC, PE and other materials.
Slow Crack Growth (SCR) Validation/Rapid Crack Propagation (RCP) Testing
These tests are critical to understanding the performance of piping, particularly in gas applications. They characterize the material’s long-term and short-term performance, respectively.
Chlorine and Chloramine Testing for Rubber Material.
We also test rubber materials for various standards (including ASTM F2023, ASTM D6284, ASSE 1061 and custom-made test methodologies).
PLASTIC PIPE FAILURE INVESTIGATIONS
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.
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/
MORE POLY PIPE NEWS
PPN the Digital News Platform for Communicating to the Global Plastic Pipe Industry
Send Us Your News!!! PPN Publishes weekly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eUKxWbOZY10
• Join the thousands of industry leaders who rely on PPN for domestic and international plastic pipe news.
• Experience https://www.polypipenews.com.au/ weekly to get the industry view on what’s newsworthy today.
• Discover PPN’s in-depth coverage of new technology and products, marketing, and executive actions.
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]
Get Your HDPE Pipe Products or Services Noticed – Advertise in Poly Pipe News (PPN) Australia
https://www.polypipenews.com.au/advertise/
This Newsletter is brought to you by Excelplas Labs, Australia’s Largest group of Poly Pipe Testing Labs.
Pipe Poly News (PPN) is now Australia’s most current and comprehensive source of news on Polyethylene pipes and Poly Pipe Welding;
Poly Pipe News is now sent to over 4500 Poly Pipe Industry Members every week.
Any news requests should be sent to [email protected]
To subscribe, visit https://www.polypipenews.com.au/subscribe/
2026 Copyright ExcelPlas Labs
PPN is owned and operated by ExcelPlas Pty Ltd. By subscribing to PPN you agree to receiving regular PPN newsletters as well as the PPN platform using your email contact details to enhance the performance and functionality of PPN and its analytics reports. These email contact details allow PPN to track page views and create more targeted and relevant content. PPN provides an unsubscribe link on the bottom of each PPN newsletter.
