Standard PE/GPU fittings for barrier pipes.

HDPE is a wonderful product, but it is permeable and never 100% tight. Therefore, for a water pipeline in contaminated soil, for example, so-called barrier pipes, HDPE pipes with a diffusion-tight aluminum layer around them, are used. However, there was a lack of fittings and other fittings of the same liquid- and gas-tight quality. Rombouts Kunststof Techniek dived into that "hole" and supplies standard PE/GPU fittings for barrier pipes to customers and even manufacturers at home and abroad.

Rombouts Kunststof Techniek has been around for more than 37 years and is a relatively large player in the processing of plastics. "We do everything except doors and frames in plastics," says director Marcel van Pagee jokingly. "What's also special is that under one roof we process both thermoplastics and thermosets as semi-finished products into all kinds of products. And that is quite unique. What is completely unique, however, is that we also make the combination. A good example of this is our PE/GPU fittings with a protective layer of glass-fiber reinforced polyurethane. Truly the cream of the crop," Marcel believes.

Barrier pipes

Thermoplastic piping systems, usually made of HDPE, are never completely gas- and liquid-tight. "So in the example of the water pipe in contaminated soil, there is a chance that substances from that contaminated soil could get into the drinking water. So you don't want that," Marcel outlines. "That's why manufacturers of piping systems have developed the so-called barrier pipes, a tube made of polyethylene provided with a diffusely dense layer." Jan Keur, sales manager at Rombouts Kunststof Techniek, adds: "This layer is usually formed by a special aluminum foil wrapped around the pipe. On top of this is another protective layer. Such a barrier pipe is, of course, not new and has been on the market for decades. However, it lacked suitable fittings, which meant that the couplings and welds were handled "in the field" with artifice. Not exactly future-proof and no guarantee of flawless protection against outside intrusion."

Non-permeable

Rombouts Kunststof Techniek began discussions with a number of barrier pipe manufacturers and developed standard PE/GPU fittings and fittings for this type of application. "The fittings and fittings are characterized by the same composition as the barrier pipes. So basically that means a PE product surrounded by an aluminum foil that is completely wrapped with fiberglass-reinforced polyurethane," Jan clarifies. "That makes the entire piping system non-permeable and therefore resistant to outside intrusion, including the fittings and welds made in the field." 

Rombouts Kunststof Techniek's range of PE/GPU fittings and fittings varies from bends, tees and reducers to flange collars and electrofusion sleeves. "Pipe owners who have doubts about the condition of the soil invariably opt for a barrier pipe today," Marcel knows. "In combination with our PE/GPU fittings and fittings, that 100% guarantees a reliable end result. After all, there is no longer a weak link." Rombouts Kunststof Techniek produces the fittings and fittings in any size up to a diameter of 630 mm.