TEPPFA - Why use Plastic Pipes ?

Plastic pipes provide a sustainable and safe way to distribute valuable drinking water and provide modern sewer systems. Their environmental contribution to public health and sanitation is unique. Moreover, their long service life followed by recycling, guarantees a high level of sustainability for many hundreds of years. New applications in the field of rainwater harvesting and management, storm water drainage, domestic grey water systems, district heating and domestic geothermal technology are also helping to create a more sustainable world.

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Long Track Record

Plastic pipe systems have a successful track record of more than 50 years. Their life expectancy is significantly longer. Recent independent investigations confirm that existing plastics pressure pipes when installed under the correct conditions have a life span of more than 100 years. The continuous development of materials results in even better performance of plastic piping systems as before.

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Flexibility

Flexible plastic pipes offer a big advantage in relation to installation. In buried installations the flexibility of the pipe system is able to cope with movements in the soil. During soil compaction, the pipe follows the settlement of the soil, avoiding that excessive stresses are created in the pipe wall. The present limited stresses in the pipe wall will relax to very low levels, due to the visco-elastic behaviour of plastics. Recent investigations have confirmed that the flexibility of pipes results in better performance in practice.

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Less Leakage

Plastic piping systems are designed in such a way that leaking of joints is very unlikely, which results in a positive contribution to the environment. Due to its flexibility, the pipes can withstand movements in the ground that might cause non-plastic pipe materials to break.

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Low Operational Costs

Plastic pipes are economical to install, operate and maintain. Their lightweight makes installation easy and their flexibility and performance means less maintenance is required. They are therefore a cost effective solution for virtually all application areas.

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Less Energy

Plastic pipes are energy efficient. Many more metres of pipe can be made from one kilo of plastic than any other pipe material. Their low weight means less energy in transport, handling and installation. Pipes are energy neutral during use. However, plastic pipes are energy positive at end of life phase since they can be recycled.

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