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The subsea pipes are made with what SCG Chemicals describes as the world’s first PE112, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin developed by SCG that affords 10% greater pressure resistance in comparison to PE100 grades.

Stephen Moore

April 18, 2019

2 Min Read
PE112 resin debuts in Thai submarine water pipeline

Resin supplier SCG Chemicals has partnered up with Thailand’s Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) in the country’s first-ever underwater pipeline installation project, featuring a freshwater water pipeline of approximately 20 kilometers from Khanom District in Nakhon Si Thammarat to the island of Samui in Surat Thani. The subsea pipes are made with what SCG Chemicals describes as the world’s first PE112, a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) resin developed by SCG that affords 10% greater pressure resistance in comparison to PE100 grades available on the market. The material helps ensure that the pipes meet required safety standards and achieve maximum efficiency.

PE112 resin performs in a major undersea water supply pipeline in Thailand.

The THB3 billion ($94.3 million) Samui Submarine Water Pipeline Construction Project is set to enhance the efficiency of the island’s infrastructure and alleviate water scarcity, which will in turn boost its tourism industry and the economy of the country.

PWA Governor Nopparat Maythaveekulchai said the tourist resort island of Samui frequently experiences water shortages during dry spells. To meet the demand for water, PWA initiated the project to provide access to tap water to residents across the island. The project has reached completion, and water delivery to Samui has started.

The success of the project is due in part to the innovative material of the pipes, developed SCG Chemicals. For this project, PWA chose SCG’s PE112, a resin that affords the pipes with toughness and durability and enables them to withstand subsea pressure, lending the pipeline the strength it needs. The durability of the pipeline has been proven when it was left unaffected after being hit by the tropical storm Pabuk. The installed pipeline will supply water to 64,000 more people in Phunphin, Muang, Kanchanadit, and Donsak Districts on mainland Surat Thani and on Samui.

Sakchai Patiparnpreechavud, Vice President – Polyolefins and Vinyl Business of Chemicals Business, SCG, stated that the company is extremely proud that its innovative plastic resin has contributed to the success of Thailand’s first subsea water pipeline and a better quality of life on Samui, which is visited by over 2.5 million tourists each year and is often faced with water shortages in the dry season.

SCG HDPE H112PC, a black polyethylene compound developed and patented by SCG Chemicals, can reportedly withstand 10% more pressure than PE100 commonly available on the market, making it the world’s first PE to achieve this pressure resistance capability.

About the Author(s)

Stephen Moore

Stephen has been with PlasticsToday and its preceding publications Modern Plastics and Injection Molding since 1992, throughout this time based in the Asia Pacific region, including stints in Japan, Australia, and his current location Singapore. His current beat focuses on automotive. Stephen is an avid folding bicycle rider, often taking his bike on overseas business trips, and is a proud dachshund owner.

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