Organisers of this year’s PIPES XI Conference and Exhibition in South Africa expect a record attendance of more than 300 participants for what is described as a truly international event. The two-day conference takes place on 4-5 September 2017 at the Emperor’s Palace Convention Centre, located close to the OR Tambo Airport in Gauteng.

More than 35 top experts from South Africa and around the world will be presenting at this year’s PIPES XI Conference – an annual event hosted by the Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA). Issues will relate to plastic pipe systems, water infrastructure and engineering.

Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA comments: “This year’s event will be unlike any other event the association has ever hosted and promises to be an unforgettable experience. We are extremely privileged to be hosting our conference in conjunction with the Plastic Pipe Conference Association (PPCA).”

Best papers

“In addition to the line-up of top national speakers we would normally have at our conference, this year’s PIPES XI will review at least ten of the best papers which were presented at the Plastic Pipes XVIII Conference in Berlin last year,” Venter said.

He explains that it is the first time in history that the PPCA spin-off conference, which is organised every alternate year, will be coming to South Africa.

“The excitement over the event is tremendous. We have already sold an impressive amount of tickets and are hoping to have more than 300 delegates attending both days,” Venter said. “Our early bird registration scheme has been prolonged to 30 June and is accessible through our website. Given a larger attendance than normal, delegates are urged to apply for these reduced rates within the next few days.”

Topics covered at this year’s event are varied, ranging from raw materials and additives to the life cycle and material design of plastic pipes. Installations, applications and rehabilitations as well as standards, testing and certification, and various case studies will be reviewed.

The opening keynote address will be delivered by Dr Roelof Botha, a local economist of the GOPA Group. International presenters include Zoran Davidovski from Pipelife International who will talk about “Main barriers to plastic pipes” on behalf of TEPPFA. Tony Radoszewski of the Plastic Pipes Insitute in the USA will address “Manufacturing and Infrastructure in the Age of Trump”.

Bruce Hollands of the PVC Pipe Association in the USA will deliver the latest evidence on the “Life Cycle assessment of PVC Water and Sewer pipe and comparative sustainability analysis of pipe materials”. Moreover, Jean-Pierre De Grève of PVC4Pipes in Belgium will expound on the “Evolution and benefits of PVC pipes”.

Other speakers will include Dane Tallen of Baerlocher in Germany, Dr. Predrag Micic of Qenos, Australia, Rob Spekreijse of Rollepaal in the Netherlands and Robin Bresser representing Borealis in Austria.

“We cannot emphasise enough the importance of this event,” says Venter. “We encourage local engineers, students, specifiers and decision makers on all levels to make the most of this opportunity and the exposure to this kind of professionalism and expertise.”

Sponsors include Macneil Plastics, Sun Ace, Rollepaal, Van Ryn Rubber, Hultec, AENOR-CEIS, the Baerlocher Group, Marley Pipe Systems, Zerma Africa, Molecor/Sizabanthu Piping Systems, DPI Plastics, PipeFlo, Plastiweld and Plastics SA.

Further information on PIPES XI program, registration, exhibition and sponsorship opportunities are available through: www.sappma.co.za