DPI Plastics racks up orders in large-bore water infrastructure projects

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DPI Plastics has already racked up two major orders for its new 630 mm Class 16 mPVC pipe, which it is now capable of manufacturing at its Roodekop factory. Technical and product manager Renier Snyman explains that this represents the latest addition to the 630 mm diameter range from DPI Plastics, which was the first manufacturer of mPVC piping systems in the 1990s. It remains an innovator and international leader in this segment, having supplied technology licences as far afield as Australia, Asia and South America.

DPI Plastics produces mPVC pipe in pressure classes from six to 25 bar, and in standard 6 m lengths, complete with spigot, integral socket and rubber ring seal for ease of installation. All mPVC pipe is manufactured in accordance with the SANS 966 quality standard.

“We have already completed a small order on that. We are in the process of starting our next order, which is quite a big one,” Snyman reveals. The increased demand for mPVC piping systems is due to its applicability for large-bore water infrastructure projects.

mPVC (Modified Polyvinyl Chloride) has been designed specifically to provide similar tensile strength and greater resilience than standard PVC piping products. It is ideally suited to bulk water supply projects due to the fact that mPVC is considerably more ductile than industry-standard unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC). The ductility of mPVC pipe gives it exceptional resistance to crack propagation under pressure. In addition to superior toughness, mPVC has reduced wall thickness. This translates into less raw materials during the manufacturing process, and ultimately a lighter product that is easier to transport and install, thereby minimising its total carbon footprint.

Managing Director Juan Muller notes that the manufacture of this new 630 Class 16 mPVC pipe has allowed DPI Plastics to make significant inroads into the bulk water infrastructure segment. “In terms of what is happening in the market right now, there have been a lot of large-bore orders coming through.

“The government is certainly investing in major water projects. The building industry is very stagnant at the moment, but when one looks at infrastructure and the provision of bulk water, it has been active for the last eight months at least, which has been very good for us,” Muller concludes.