Gulf Construction Online - Borouge eyes major Mideast expansion

Pipes & Fittings

Large diameter pipes made from Borstar enhanced PE are lightweight and easily transportable.

Borouge eyes major Mideast expansion

01 August 2006

In view of the growing popularity of plastics as a versatile material in industrial uses such as in piping systems around the world, Borouge – a leading supplier of environmentally-superior polyolefin plastics such as polyethylene and polypropylene – plans to invest in a world-scale multi-billion-dollar expansion of its facilities in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.

The expansion is expected to nearly triple the company’s production capacity to two million tonnes annually and introduce Borstar polypropylene products (PP) to the region.
Borouge, a joint venture of Borealis and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, has a state-of-the-art production facility in Ruwais, which uses Borstar technology to produce polymers for end-use plastic applications in the pipes, wire and cables and advanced packaging markets. It is also the exclusive provider of the entire Borealis product line throughout the Middle East and Asia Pacific.
Borstar is Borealis’ proprietary technology supporting differentiated polyethylene and polypropylene products.
“At Borouge, we base our research and development around our customer requirements. Besides offering plastics for pipe production, we offer multi-layer PE (polyethylene) and PP coating systems for both onshore and offshore pipelines, which protect these systems and enhance their performance,” says Didier Nozahic, marketing manager of pipes, Borouge. “These steel pipe coating (SPC) systems utilise high density PE capable of operating at temperatures of 85 deg C and PP systems for operation up to 140 deg C. We have recently developed a seven-layer PP coating system that thermally insulates the pipe systems serving the deep water Thunder Horse Field in the Gulf of Mexico.”
Elaborating on the advantages of polyethylene and polypropylene, a spokesman for the company says: “PE and PP are durable materials that can be easily processed and recycled and are also easily adaptable to different environments, including extreme climatic conditions.
“For instance, PE pipe systems, which were first introduced during the 1970s in Europe, are now a major element of pipe infrastructure. The material can be converted into various pipe and fitting dimensions, and, at the end of its lifetime, can be recycled into less critical applications. Compared with limited lifetime traditional materials such as ductile iron and steel, PE pipe systems are flexible, durable, corrosion-free and easily weldable, and provide a high safety record and long service life at low maintenance costs.
“Traditional materials like iron or steel corrode easily, build up internal encrustation during service and are not easily adaptable to new installation methods. These factors affect the quality of drinking water, oil and gas that are transported along these distribution systems, and the lifetime of the system.
“PE, however, offers pipe manufacturers and project managers significant benefits. The material provides ease of installation with proven welding techniques such as electro-fusion and butt fusion. There is no leakage due to shrinkage, degradation of the seals and pipe deformation in fusion-welded PE systems. The fusion joints are homogeneous and fully end-load resistant. The pipes follow the soil movement and are resistant even in severe or extreme climatic and geographic conditions.”
“Additionally, costs savings are achieved as the material is highly versatile and can be used for open-cut installation or no-dig techniques. For example, the pipes can be inserted into the ground or directly drilled into position. Project specifications are easily met as pipe installation and commissioning are on schedule and as a result, it has been steadily replacing traditional materials around the world.”
Technological improvements in the production of plastics and processing of the material have made it the material of choice, he adds.
For Borouge, technology has ensured the company consistently provides value creating, innovative plastics solutions for customers throughout the Middle East and Asia Pacific. Together, Borouge and Borealis employ unique Borstar technology to produce versatile polymers for end-use plastics applications in the pipe, wire and cable and advanced packaging markets.
Borstar technology gives superior properties to pipe products. Borouge PE80 and PE100 grades, which are produced in Ruwais, enhance processing performance and improve slow crack growth resistance whilst maintaining the flexibility of the material. Low-sag material is also available for large-diameter (more than 1.6 m) pipes. In addition, materials produced from the Borstar process offer savings of up to 30 per cent.
Borstar Technology is central to Borouge's competitive edge over its competitors and the innovative technology for polyethylene production has ignited keen market interest since its commercial debut in 1995. The technology process produces innovative bimodal products that combine excellent mechanical strength and product processing ability, can be used in a broad range of product applications, are cost effective and environment-friendly.
Borstar products are designed to be high-performance and high-value. Their superior performance enables significant down gauging and reduced product weight for high performance packaging applications, wire and cable jacketing and superior pipe systems.
Additionally, Borouge’s local technical expertise and knowledge, including a 30-year track record via Borealis’ heritage in Europe, helps deliver innovative PE pipe solutions throughout the value chain – from tailoring its solutions to customer needs to providing an exceptional logistics system, says a company spokesman.
“With its combination of state-of-the-art technology and world-class production facilities, Borouge is committed to shaping the future with plastics. The Borouge model of providing added-value plastics solutions to a wide variety of growth industries is supported with a sales and marketing head office in Singapore, sales offices in Abu Dhabi, Al Khobar, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Mumbai and Beirut along with an extensive sales agent network across the region,” he concludes.