The Nordipipe and Tubetex pipe liners are already used in several other countries for the rehabilitation of drinking water pipelines. In July, these technologies were granted approval for contact with potable water by the Australian Water Quality Centre (AWQC), opening the door for their use in Australia and New Zealand.

The Adelaide-based AWQC laboratory, appointed by Sekisui to perform the material testing to AS/NZS Standard 4020, was able to complete its work within a minimal period of time. The pressure pipe liners, and Sekisui-developed NordiPox D and NordiPox TX resins, made the grade in all six different testing categories. The standard requires the testing of all products which come into contact with drinking water to guarantee impeccable quality.

Ideally suited

For many years, Sekisui Europe has been marketing Nordipipe and Tubetex pipe liners as a cost-effective solution for the trenchless rehabilitation of pressure water pipelines.

Nordipipe is a structural liner and can resist high internal pressure and external loads, comparable to a newly-installed pipe. The Tubetex liner, which is firmly bonded with the old pipe but still has elastic properties, is a seamlessly woven polyester tube. The European-manufactured liner prevents pipe rupturing and splintering, corrosion and encrustation in cast iron pipes.

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The newly granted drinking water certification to the Australian and New Zealand Standard, greatly enlarges the scope of application of the pipe liner and its resins. Local authorities in the Australian region can now renew their drinking water pipelines by the trenchless method with minimum impact on the environment, thereby extending the life of underground networks for many decades. This certification applies to pressure pipelines with a diameter of 150–1,200 mm. The technologies can also be used in other pressure pipe rehabilitation applications, such as for pressure sewer mains.

Around the world, Sekisui has two key technologies for the rehabilitation of sewerage, water and gas networks: spiral-wound pipe lining and cured-in-place pipe lining methods. The products for trenchless pipeline rehabilitation are manufactured at four plants in Australia, Germany, Belgium and the United States.