Ipex invests $6 million in PVCO pipe

After a $6 million investment, Don Mills, Ont.-based pipe manufacturer Ipex Inc. has launched Bionax PVCO pressure pipe for buried potable water main and irrigation system applications.

According to Ipex, the material is made by realigning molecules in PVC resin to form a new material – molecularly oriented PVC, or PVCO – that, when extruded into a pipe, has much greater impact strength, about 80 per cent more pressure tolerance, and a higher carrying capacity due to a thinned-out inner diameter.

Ipex is the first producer of PVCO pressure pipe to receive certification to ASTM F1483 and AWWA C909 standards for pressure pipes. NSF International, currently the only organization that tests and certifies PVCO pipe to these standards, has issued certification.

IPEX is manufacturing the pipe at one of its Montreal-area plants.

Ipex said that, according to independent studies, Bionax pipe has less “embodied energy”, and therefore a smaller carbon footprint, than other common piping materials. Once installed, it’s larger inside diameters and smooth surface reduce the energy (and costs) associated with pumping.

“With major investments required to rehabilitate our infrastructure, this is the perfect time to launch an improved pipe that incorporates the latest advances in extrusion technology,” said Richard St-Aubin, Ipex’s director of business development. “This high performance, environmentally friendly product will be a key component in upgrading our water and sewer systems.”