Durapipe UK is investing more than £50,000 in new chemical analysis technology to ensure it continues to offer an unrivalled service in undertaking chemical investigation of plastic pipework materials. 

The majority of the investment is in a new Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) machine for the manufacturer’s in-house laboratory, which allows complex chemical examinations to be completed. The Durapipe company chemist regularly inspects pipework samples that have been subject to chemical attack in order to identify the cause, and the new machine allows more detailed analysis with a quicker turnaround of results. 

In addition to identifying chemicals that are present on any pipe sample, the new technology can also detect chemicals that are incompatible with the pipe material, aiding future recommendations on the most appropriate system for specific applications.  

While reviewing damaged pipework is a crucial aspect of Durapipe’s chemical analysis offering, the new technology also allows the company chemist to more accurately test the impact of any given chemical on a variety of pipework materials. This ensures the company chemist can provide reliable advice on the suitability of different pipework systems, making it an invaluable resource for contractors, consultants and end users when specifying pipework solutions for chemical applications. 

Durapipe has also invested in a new fume cupboard for the laboratory, to ensure that the company chemist can safely handle any chemical substances. As one of the only plastic pipework manufacturers to boast an in-house chemist and laboratory in the UK, Durapipe’s latest investment ensures it can continue to offer an unrivalled service to customers across the building services sector. 

Commenting on the investment, Durapipe’s company chemist, Anil Kumar, said: “We always look to add value to our proposition for customers and our chemical analysis capabilities already set us apart in the industry. 

“This latest investment in technology means we can now identify causes of chemical attack more quickly, with more detailed analysis allowing us to not only more accurately pinpoint causes of failure, but also advise on the most appropriate system for different chemical applications.”

A leading manufacturer of plastic pipework solutions, Durapipe UK has seen its systems successfully installed for building services and industrial applications in projects worldwide for more than 60 years. 

Durapipe UK is a proud member of the British Plastics Federation (BPF) Plastic Pipes Group (PPG), the leading trade association representing manufacturers and material suppliers of plastic piping systems in the UK. 

PPG Member companies have a responsibility to the industry to ensure that products manufactured meet the needs of the application they are intended for. In addition, PPG members fully support compliance with standards so installers and end users can assume BPF membership is a sign of quality assurance and compliance with these standards.