Steve is head of marketing and technical at REHAU Building Solutions and had previously been the BPF Pipes Group’s vice-president for three years, supporting ACO Technologies’ Richard Hill in working on strategy and responses to significant recent challenges including Brexit, supply chain issues and the Covid pandemic.

Mr Richmondcommented on his new role: “I am thrilled to have been appointed president of the British Plastic Federation’s Pipes Group at such a crucial time for multiple sectors. The use of plastic piping systems has skyrocketed in the past 50 years in all applications, and the BPF’s work as a prominent industry voice providing technical expertise and informing and influencing standards is more vital than ever before.”

The BPF Pipes Group is the leading trade federation for the UK plastic pipe and fittings industry. It has been active in driving standards upwards throughout the utilities, civil, construction and building services sectors and aims to widen the use of manufactured plastic pipes and fittings, including in newer applications like ground and air source heat pumps, hydrogen gas distribution and district heating.

Mr Richmond is keen to promote the sustainable credentials of plastic-based pipe systems, helping manufacturers and end users alike improve their carbon footprint as they work towards net zero by 2050. He continued: “It is my hope that as president and supported by our new vice president, Rachel Smith of Aliaxis, we can help the Group play a key role in developing high-quality products and solutions for future challenges.”