Constant quality in a demanding market

Wherever steel and plastic pipes are laid or pulled into the ground, welds are a crucial component. 

Rombouts Kunststof Techniek (RKT) specializes in processing plastics: from buoys, tanks and coatings to piping for infrastructure, industry, maritime and heat sectors. For all sectors, it supplies the plastic pipework and additional welding. Particularly through its innovative welding and coating solutions, RKT grew to become one of the biggest players in its industry.

Increasing demands on properties of plastic

The various plastics, thermosets and thermoplastics, are subject to ever-increasing demands in terms of chemical resistance, pressure and temperature resistance. This regularly presents RKT with complex issues. "The solving innovation is then often in the application and processing of the plastics, and it is precisely in this that we have years of experience," says Marcel van Pagee, director of RKT.

The welding container

One of RKT's smart solutions is the welding container. Multiple welding machines can be set up in it and this increases productivity. "In the welding container, the welders have at least two welding machines at their disposal. This allows them to start on the next weld while the previous one is still cooling down," says Pagee. "By now, many companies have adopted this working method."

Self-propelled welding machines

The self-propelled welding machine was also invented by RKT and makes performing welding work much easier. The welding machine can be operated by one person and runs on tracks, making it usable even in soft verges. This welding machine allows the welder to deliver consistent quality at a high rate.

PUPP Lining

And then there is PUPP Lining, a high-performance technique for coating welds in steel pipes for drilling and pressing. The coating system in PP and PE versions is corrosion-resistant, highly adhesive and can be applied at any location. This technique has now been applied to more than 20,000 joints.

Fast switching

RKT has a large, in-house machine park. Van Pagee: "Recently we were offered a large job, but it had to start quickly. Then such an extensive machine park offers a solution. As a rule, we can move quickly."