TPT July 2007

P lastic & C omposite T ube: P roducts & M anufacture

modulus) resin that shows an improved stiffness/toughness balance compared to standard PP copolymers. For heating and plumbing applications, the company produces Hostalen PP-R (polypropylene random copolymers), which combines outstanding creep strength with good impact resistance. Basell is also celebrating its 35 th anniversary of supplying Lupolen resins for PE-X (cross-linked polyethylene) applications. In 1968, inventor Thomas Engel patented a process that used Lupolen 5261 Z to create the first cross-linked PE pipe, and the first commercial application of PE-X – underfloor heating pipes – took place in 1972. One of the first peroxide cross-linked PE- X pipes produced using Lupolen 5261 Z is still in service today, and continues to undergo creep tests at 95ºC, to evaluate the progressive deformation of the pipes under pressure at elevated temperatures. Basell Polyolefine GmbH – Germany Fax : +49 69 305 28144 Website : www.basell.com

Dedicated team for Chinese plastic pipe market

Basell, Germany, a specialist in polyolefins technology, production and marketing, has set up a team of sales and marketing staff in its Chinese locations, dedicated to addressing the polyolefin requests of the expanding plastic pipe industry in that country. fi Basell value-based polyolefin solutions used in pipe applications

Located at the company’s Shanghai, Beijing and Guangzhou sales offices, the team will serve Chinese customers who select Basell’s high-performance, energy-saving and reliable polypropylene and polyethylene resins for their pipe applications. “ China is probably the fastest growing market for plastic pipes in the world ,” said Mr Michael Vogt, business development manager, pipe – Asia, who will head up the Asia team from Basell’s Hong Kong office. “ We see significant potential, as demand for plastic pipe in the country is expected to grow from 680 million metres in 2005 to a projected 1.1 billion metres in 2010, an annual increase of 10.5 per cent. ” The company’s Hostalen PE 80 and PE 100 grades are suitable for applications such as drinking water and gas pressure pipes. Pipes produced using these grades are known for their impact/stiffness balance, corrosion resistance and resistance to stress cracking. Basell’s Hostalen PP copolymers include Hostalen PP H2483, a PP-HM (high

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J uly /A ugust 2007