Borealis’s PE with high SCG resistance for Politejo’s pipeline
Chemical firm Borealis says that Politejo, a pipe manufacturer based in Portugal, has selected the new Super Low Sag (SLS) black polyethylene PE100-RC (resistant to crack) pressure pipe material for use in a major pipeline project comprising onshore and offshore sections in the Galicia region of northern Spain.
The project is one example of how Borealis is using its step-change innovations to enhance the sustainability of pipe infrastructure by making pipes safer, more robust, and durable, it says. By designing pipe materials with eco-efficiency and recycling in mind, Borealis is closing the loop on plastics circularity, it adds.
The new pipe material is the recently launched BorSafe HE3490-SLS-H. Its tailored polymer architecture and low melt flow rate (MFR) enable the production of pipe with high wall thicknesses while counteracting the “sagging phenomenon” characteristic of other conventional materials used in the pipe extrusion process.
Sagging refers to the tendency for a hot melt (being extruded from the pipe extrusion die) to flow downward due to the force of gravity, resulting in uneven wall thickness and distribution. The low sag property of this resin makes the production process more efficient, with faster start-up in reaching the required dimension tolerances for pipe diameter and wall thickness. Another benefit is the reduction of scrap rates and overall waste avoidance.
For Politejo’s large-diameter pipeline project in Spain, pipes with diameters of 900 mm and 1100 mm will be used in the onshore section, while a larger number of pipes with diameter of 1400 mm and 60 mm wall thickness will be used in the offshore section, where submersed installation demands especially high quality and long material lifespan.
The very high Slow Crack Growth (SCG) resistance of BorSafe HE3490-SLS-H translates into faster installation and cost efficiency. Faster installation times can be realised because the robustness of the pipe allows for installation without sand-bedding around it.
For drinking water applications, the new and improved formulation offers extra assurance of purity for the safe transport of potable water. Finally, design for eco-efficiency means that this material solution boasts an expected lifespan of over 100 years, and is fully recyclable.
BorSafe HE3490-SLS-H can be produced using a grade from the Bornewables portfolio of circular polyolefins. In future, resins from the transformational Borcycle C portfolio of chemically recycled solutions can also be selected for pipe applications.
Both the Bornewables and Borcycle C grades are composed of ISCC PLUS-certified (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification Plus) feedstock produced using the mass balance method; both enable significant CO2 footprint reductions when compared to the use of fossil fuel-based feedstocks.
“This project is a major milestone in collaboration between the Politejo team and Borealis. We have executed such projects with our experienced team in the past, but here we needed the best material, and one available for prompt shipment. Given that our installation schedule is extremely tight, the high production rates and easy processing of the BorSafe material are key parameters. BorSafe HE3490-SLS-H pipes’ superior mechanical performance characteristics, robustness, and scratch resistance during transport and installation were decisive factors in our selection,” explains Andre’ Maia, Politejo Technical Director. “We’re glad to have found in Borealis a partner who moves with us in pushing the envelope on highly demanding polyethylene pipe applications.”
“We’re pleased to be advancing circularity in the pipe industry together with our partner Politejo, who shares our dedication to using innovation and collaboration to make our infrastructure safer and more sustainable,” says John Webster, Borealis Global Commercial Director Infrastructure. “Design for eco-efficiency in the spirit of EverMinds has produced a superior product with an extremely long lifespan and which can even be recycled at end-of-life. This is what we mean by reinventing the plastics infrastructure for more sustainable living.”
