Borealis, majority owned by an Abu Dhabi company, has relaunched its newly upgraded crosslinkable polyethylene (PEX-a) compound HE1878E-C2. The company also had its polypropylene random crystalline temperature (PP-RCT) included in the updated global EN ISO 15874 standard.

PEX-a has been the preferred piping solution for many installers for decades thanks to its proven track record for safety and high performance. In response to customer and end-user demand for materials exhibiting increased resistance to disinfectants, Borealis has relaunched the enhanced HE1878E-C2, the first fully-stabilised, ready-compounded PEX-a to achieve Class 5 listing. The Class 5 listing corresponds to the highest chlorine resistance rating in accordance with the ASTM F876 standard for PE crosslinked pipes using the ASTM F2023 test method. ASTM F876 is the standard specification for PEX tubing in North America.

“The advanced qualification of Borealis HE1878E-C2 opens up a wide range of additional opportunities for pipe producers in North America, whilst at the same time enabling producers in Europe, Asia and the Middle East to gain the competitive edge thanks to product differentiation,” said Borealis in a statement.

“Having achieved the highest possible chlorine resistant qualification on the market for Borealis, HE1878E-C2 underscores the Borealis commitment to innovation and excellence which ultimately benefits the entire pipe value chain,” explains Gilles Rochas, Borealis vice president, energy and infrastructure.

Borealis’ PEX-a pipe boasts well-known benefits such as enhanced durability, high temperature resistance, excellent flexibility and low creep. As a fully formulated mini-pelletised compound, Borealis HE1878E-C2 also offers significant production advantages: it requires only the addition of peroxide, thus minimising the risk of additive dosing errors, is easy to handle and its cost efficiency is also improved. With Borealis HE1878E-C2, the company said pipe producers can enjoy access to an already proven stabilisation package whilst end-users have the confidence of the long track-record of PEX-a as well as the Class 5 listing.

SETTING GLOBAL STANDARDS
The higher-performance pipe material class PP-RCT has been valued by the plastic piping industry for its superior performance for the past decade. Now the superior qualities of this class have been officially confirmed thanks to its inclusion in the most recent publication of EN ISO 15874, the global standard for plastics piping systems for hot and cold water pipe installations. This international standard will accelerate the adoption of this second-generation PP-R-material class along the entire pipe value chain.

Borealis and sister firm Borouge (pictured) are in the forefront of piping solutions

Borealis led the way with its launch of this material class back in 2004. It’s PP-RCT classified materials which are ready compounded for maximum quality control and available in green (Borealis RA7050-GN) and steel grey (Borealis RA7050), are produced using a special multiple-reactor technology. They contain a high level of beta-nucleated crystals and a state-of-the-art stabilisation package. These features allow for operation at higher stresses at elevated temperatures, opening up a wide spectrum of applications including large diameter pipes for skyscrapers. “Designers and installers are increasingly seeing the vast benefits achievable with PP-RCT pipes,” adds Anton Wolfsberger, Borealis marketing manager, energy and infrastructure. “Our Borealis RA7050 materials are, with nearly a 10-year track record, well-established on the market as reliable, high quality PP-RCT pipe materials.”

For example, PP-RCT makes an increase in hydraulic capacity possible while maintaining outer pipe diameter. A higher percentage of smaller pipes may be installed with no reduction in overall water supply. Using the dimension of standard PP-R pipes with higher operating pressures even opens up entirely new areas of use.

Borealis provides solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilisers. It is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and operates in over 120 countries with around 5,300 employees worldwide, generating 7.5 billion euros ($9.84 billion) in sales revenue in 2012. The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi owns 64 per cent of the company, the remaining 36 per cent is owned by OMV, the leading energy group in the European growth belt. Borealis provides services and products to customers around the world in collaboration with Borouge, a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (Adnoc).

Building on the unique Borstar and Borlink technologies and 50 years of experience in polyolefins, Borealis and Borouge support key industries including infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging. The Borouge plant expansion in Abu Dhabi will be fully operational by mid-2014 with a total annual capacity of 4.5 million tonnes. After this Borealis and Borouge will have approximately 8 million tonnes of polyolefin capacity.

Borealis offers a wide range of base chemicals, including melamine, phenol, acetone, ethylene and propylene servicing a wide range of industries. Together with Borouge the two companies will produce approximately 6 million tonnes of base chemicals in 2014.