Lighter, and as strong as steel, but much more durable, glass-fibre-reinforced (GRP) pipes can extend up to 4 m in diameter for applications that include major desalination projects and standard high-pressure bulk water supply. So, Flowtite™ GRP is far from fragile. The end benefit: over 150 years of virtually zero maintenance.

Flowtite^TM GRP pipe has been a household engineering brand since the introduction of this pioneering Norwegian technology in the 1960s. Owned by the multinational Amiantit Group since 2001, it’s a preferred choice for municipal infrastructure and general industrial users worldwide, with more than 70 000 km of Flowtite^TM GRP installed to date.

That’s supported by proven research, which shows a minimal record of leakage failures, and amazing durability and resistance to corrosion and chemical attack on original installations done more than 50 years ago. Samples taken show no visible change or deterioration over this period.

Local manufacturing licensee Flowtite South Africa was appointed by the Flowtite Group in 2018 to spearhead domestic and broader sub-Saharan expansion, backed by funding from the Industrial Development Corporation. Investment in manufacturing is a major government objective and, in this respect, Flowtite is a 100% local content producer in line with Department of Trade and Industry guidelines and meets all SOE and municipal procurement stipulations.

Gearing up for growth, Flowtite is currently embarking on a R150+ million upgrade of its Germiston, Gauteng, factory. Integral to that strategy is a concerted communication drive to inform private and public procurement decision-makers about Flowtite^TM GRP benefits compared to alternative pipe systems made from steel, concrete or plastic. Key advantages of Flowtite^TM GRP include its ability to produce legendary strength with low material mass, making it easy to manipulate by hand or install with light construction equipment.

“In key markets like Europe and North America, Flowtite^TM GRP is a common application, and engineering students are exposed to and well informed about this technology during their studies. That’s alongside other conventional pipe alternatives,” explains Bantu Mselana, managing director, Flowtite South Africa. “That’s not the case for South African students.

“Although Flowtite^TM GRP has been part of the South African construction mix from 1992, the evidence of Flowtite^TM GRP projects has been intermittent because of a widespread gap in both the understanding and application of the technology. So, it’s understandable that many South African engineers will have had limited exposure, despite Flowtite^TM GRP’s universal specification on water and sewer projects internationally,” he continues. “We are here to change that and to reinforce the major benefits of Flowtite^TM GRP as a cost-effective and virtually maintenance-free infrastructure solution.”

Market engagement

Flowtite South Africa is listening to the views and perceptions of the market, experienced engineers, contractors and other stakeholders in the public and private sphere, some of whom may have misconceptions about Flowtite^TM GRP, largely due to the absence of a single consistent brand owner and manufacturer, until now.

Flowtite^TM GRP has over 70 000 km of pipe installed worldwide in applications including bulk water supply, hydropower, seawater desalination, sewer networks, reticulation networks, irrigation water supply and many others, where the pressures range from PN 1 to PN 32. In South Africa specifically, more than 2 500 km of Flowtite pipes are installed and in active service. With 24 manufacturing plants across the globe, Flowtite^TM GRP pipe is increasingly becoming the technology of choice for many clients because of its hybrid characteristics that address the concerns experienced with other homogeneous piping materials.

As part of its repositioning of the technology in the local market, Flowtite South Africa will focus on expanding its cradle-to-grave services to ensure that its clients obtain maximum benefit from the use of its technology, as well as introducing new product lines that will offer superior value for its customers.

Over the past 30 years, Flowtite^TM GRP pipes have enjoyed significant growth, becoming an integral part of the infrastructure mix in South Africa. But key to sustaining this growth is ensuring quality, visibility, customer service, support and value for money. These are the areas that Flowtite South Africa is making significant strides in to achieve market growth.

Contractors and installation

“It’s important to emphasise that, like with steel or HDPE, the inert materials themselves don’t guarantee the end result, which is chiefly dependent on the manufacturer. It’s all about proven R&D and precise quality control. In this respect, Flowtite^TM GRP meets all international standards, including the exacting ISO 9001:2015 specification,” Mselana continues.

“However, the world’s best products can only achieve their true potential if they are correctly applied. The pipeline water losses of over 40% in South Africa underscore this point. These failures are due to a combination of factors: incorrect installation, corrosion, age and a lack of maintenance. In contrast, once Flowtite^TM GRP is correctly installed, no further intervention is normally required,” he states.

Along with the roll-out of its product solutions, Flowtite is investing extensively in training. This encompasses consulting engineers, contractors, and operations and maintenance staff within municipalities. Common GRP myths that need to be dispelled include techniques associated with handling, misalignment and bedding, although these are not unique to GRP and occur with other materials like steel, PVC and HDPE.

“Flowtite^TM GRP may seem futuristic for the South African market, but that’s clearly not the case since the product has been here in various shapes and forms for close to 30 years. When it comes to upfront capex and longer-term operations and maintenance, Flowtite^TM GRP competes with and beats the best in overall performance and longevity. With the right training, it’s also very easy to install, making it perfect for SMME contractor development and broader community participation,” Mselana concludes.