Borealis promotes infrastructure renewal at Italy's 'H2O...

Borealis promotes infrastructure renewal at Italy's 'H2O 2008' water supply show

Italy’s water supply and treatment infrastructure needs a significant upgrade. The country's ageing pipe system is creating annual losses for its operators of at least EUR 3.9 billion, and possibly as much as EUR 5.2 billion, recent research indicates*. Renewing the system will entail a major investment, but as much as EUR 85 billion could be saved in the costs of materials, installation, maintenance and environmental impact, if plastic pipes are used instead of traditional materials to put an end to this wastage.

At Accadueo 2008 (H2O) Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, is demonstrating how these savings can be made, using innovative polyethylene and polypropylene materials. This international exhibition of technologies for treatment and distribution of drinking water and waste water, is taking place in Ferrara, Italy on May 21–23.

Borealis is highlighting new developments in its BorSafe™ medium density polyethylene for small diameter pipes, and BorSafe high density polyethylene (PE) for large diameter pressure pipes and fittings. Borealis also shows BorECO™ polypropylene (PP) grades for non-pressure underground drainage and sewer systems.

These new materials, used in new installation techniques, can deliver sustainable solutions for water supply and sanitation, in high-quality, low-loss, low-maintenance pipe systems that will perform at the highest levels for many decades to come.

Borealis has long established relationships with the major players in the Italian pipe supply chain, including authorities, pipe and pipe machinery manufacturers, converters, test institutes and infrastructure owners. These have enabled it to identify the critical issues facing water and gas supply and define solutions to guarantee a high-quality, sustainable utilities infrastructure that benefits all members of the value chain.

“Cooperation between all the parties involved in the pipe value chain for gas and water distribution infrastructure remains the most important way to ensure quality and innovation,” says Jane Toogood, Vice President Business Unit Pipe at Borealis. “The need for improvement is clear and we place great emphasis on delivering value to our customers through developing products and technologies that can help progress in infrastructure, economic development and environmental protection.”

* Study of Benefits of Innovation in Italian water networks by Agici Finanza d’Impresa published May 15, 2008.