Sustainable outcomes through collaboration

Partnering with some of the world’s leading suppliers of trenchless technology solutions, Pipe Core is collaborating to support sustainable outcomes across the Australian and New Zealand industries.

In an industry inherently driven to minimise environmental impact, Pipe Core is leading the way with innovative trenchless pipe rehabilitation technology. This mission is supported by the company’s international suppliers who are independently taking further steps to adopt sustainable practices. 

Pipe Core has one of Australia and New Zealand’s most comprehensive list of supply partnerships, including some of the world’s leading suppliers of trenchless technology. 

This includes machinery and equipment covering the entire project delivery ecosystem from inspection, cleaning, repairing, maintenance, and renewal of utility and council-owned underground infrastructure.

Pipe Core’s suppliers align with key sustainability themes, such as elimination of single-use plastics, energy consumption, carbon reduction and social impact, contributing significantly to environmental and social responsibility.

Reducing packaging waste 

One supplier that has made meaningful adjustments to its packaging with the reduction of plastic is Renssi.  

“This move represents a crucial stride towards a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future,” Renssi chief executive officer Jouni Savonen said. 

While others are focusing resources to further improve and revolutionise their environmentally responsible practices.

Lowering carbon emissions

As part of the Trelleborg Group, the Trelleborg Seals & Profiles division, which creates cured-in-pipe place (CIPP) materials and trenchless equipment, works toward the same set of sustainability goals.

The Group climate target is to halve direct and indirect CO2 emissions (Scope 1 and Scope 2) by the end of 2030 compared with the base year 2021, and, during the same period, reduce emissions along the value chain (Scope 3) by 25 per cent.

“Trelleborg is currently investigating ways to increase the share of recycled or bio-based raw material in the product portfolio and reduce the amount of CO2 released during the whole manufacturing process,” Trelleborg product manager consumables Matthias Peppel said. 

“One example of actions that are already in place, is the manufacturing process of the liners. 

“All energy used in our European facility, comes from renewable sources, mostly wind energy.” 

Another company taking steps to decarbonise and reduce emissions is SAERTEX multiCom® GmbH, in which Pipe Core is the exclusive distributor of its products in Australia and New Zealand. 

The company, which supplies UV-cured lining solutions for the trenchless rehabilitation of wastewater, pressure, and potable water lines, has the goal of protecting natural resources and creating sustainable solutions with low environmental impact. 

In cooperation with an independent engineering office, SAERTEX multiCom has developed a tool that calculates potential greenhouse gas emissions on a project-specific basis, from the production of raw material, to the manufacturing process.

The company has also recognised many efficiency gains from using the range of UV cured liners.  

“Our liners have yielded substantial efficiency gains on various projects including operational savings in time, labor, costs and general disruptions,” SAERTEX multiCom business development manager Katharina Helming said. 

SAERTEX multiCom has further improved its transportation conditions for a larger range of SAERTEX-LINER® MULTI so that it no longer needs to be temperature controlled, which has seen huge energy savings.

The company is also proud to work with Ledder Werkstätten, a social institution that deploys people with disabilities to produce the crates used for the transportation of the SAEREX-LINERs.  

Social responsibility 

UK manufacturer Scanprobe is dedicated to supporting the trenchless industry with its range of CCTV pipeline inspection cameras.  

These innovative solutions allow users to make informed decisions about renewal options instead of pipe replacement.

CCTV drain inspection minimises the need for unnecessary and potentially harmful excavation work and plays a vital role in preventing pollution, and risks to local ecosystems and wildlife. 

This inspection process is also a key step in preventative pipe maintenance as it helps to identify potential blockages, leaks, or damage early and helps facilitate efficient and targeted repairs, reducing materials and resources required on the job. 

CCTV can work hand in hand with smoke detection techniques from another of Pipe Core’s suppliers, ROM bv, which is responsible for a comprehensive list of products for sewer cleaning and toilet servicing. 

The ROM eSTEAM smoke machine helps users locate faulty sewer and rainwater drainage connections which overload the main line and cost the community more in water treatment and potential repairs.  

Pipe Core has expanded its offering of battery-operated solutions, including the Climbolino E Milling Robot from Hächler GmbH.

This innovative robot operates with minimal noise emissions and a small worksite footprint. It also has 90 per cent energy saving compared to conventional milling robots. 

The new battery range from Picote Solutions includes the Battery Powered Mini Miller and Battery Powered Mini Cleaner which can operate independently of a power outlet.

These units eliminate leads and potential trip hazards, as well as minimising disruption to homeowners, reducing the overall worksite footprints and allowing renovation to take place in a sustainably responsible way. 

Vertiliner, also available through Pipe Core, is another sustainable alternative to excavation and manhole renovation. 

The system is a proven UV-cured structural CIPP liner manufactured in Germany to the exact size and shape of each maintenance hole.  

Through Pipe Core’s diverse range of suppliers offering more sustainable solutions across both consumable goods and equipment, it highlights its progressive approach towards minimising environmental impact in an industry that is a frontrunner in sustainable practices.

For more information, visit Pipe Core’s website.

This article featured in the April edition of Trenchless Australasia.