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P lastic & Composite Tube: P roducts & Manufacture
93 July/August 2007
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:
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.
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
Dedicated team for Chinese plastic pipe market
fi Basell value-based polyolefin solutions used in
pipe applications