Fluid conveyance solutions provider Incledon is supplying 6 km of PE100 800 mm steel-reinforced, spirally wound high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe for the Tekwane South integrated human settlement project, in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, which will cost about R12-million on completion.

Incledon Nelspruit sales representative Michael Raath explains that the project will accommodate 722 Breaking New Ground (BNG) houses and walk-up units for 500 households, with the sewer pipe forming a part of the bulk infrastructure that will be provided, running from Tekwane South Extension 2 to the wastewater treatment plant.

“The pipe is made from reinforced polyethylene, formed by integrating HDPE with steel strips. The pipe itself is being manufactured by drainage and sewer pipes manufacturer Amanzi Starway, in East London,” he points out.

He explains that the housing project is scheduled to end next year, with the sewer pipeline being completed later this year. Scheduled to take three years, the Tekwane project has been running on schedule since starting in 2015.

As a result, Incledon hired several local people for the installation of the sewer pipeline that is to be completed within the eight-month-long schedule.

Raath notes that, by May, the internal services and the creation of the pipes were completed, while the bulk services were still ongoing.

He highlights that the construction of the houses will start in March next year once all the infrastructure projects have been completed.

Raath points out that the PE100 800 mm pipe being used, manufactured in 6 m and 12 m lengths, has an expected life span of 50 to 100 years, much longer than any traditional sewer pipe, which can have a life span of much less than 50 years.

The manufacturing process used to create the pipe – keeping them shorter with easily accessible grip points and added rigidity – has made handling the pipes relatively easy, compared with other pipes of similar size, says Raath.

“Owing to its high ring-stiffness-to-weight ratio, the pipe is also much lighter than any comparable plastic pipe with an equal ring stiffness. Being lightweight, the pipe does not require heavy lifting equipment on-site during installation,” he explains.

Raath says the pipe joining operation involves welding the pipes, which takes five minutes to complete. A feature of such pipe’s is that abrasion resistance is three to five times higher than that of metal and concrete pipes.

Advanced Technology

Raath explains that Incledon Nelspruit has positioned itself in the market as the primary one-stop fluid conveyance supplier in the Lowveld and Swaziland.

“Incledon is supplying a range of products, from 500 Class 12 unplasticised polyvinyl chloride pipe, reservoirs and pumpstations to various projects, such as the new Mapulaneng Hospital, the Makhudu water reticulation project and the Sheba siding bulk line, in Swaziland,” he explains.

Incledon chief marketing officer Kelly Wilson explains that, to help grow the company further, the company is introducing new technologies such as the ebulletin system, which aims to generate awareness about particular product ranges and their specifications, standards, advantages and applications by making new information on pipes and plastics available through smartphones and emails.

Wilson explains that the ebulletins were launched in February, with the process of gathering the relevant information for the inaugural technical bulletin having started in August last year.

“There are no email attachments that clog mailboxes, but rather an embedded link that connects to the particular product catalogue on the Incledon server,” he explains.

Wilson points out that going digital has enabled the company to reach more clients. The ebulletins also appeal to younger engineers who rely on smartphones, computers and tablets.

“We are geared in such a way that we have specialist salespeople focusing on specific markets,” highlights Raath, explaining that Incledon carries a range of fluid conveyance products to service the specialised market in which the company is active.

Raath points out that the specialist salespeople help the company to be active in various market segments, such as mining, engineering and civils, as well as agriculture. Incledon Nelspruit currently holds supply agreements with water utility company Sembcorp Silulumanzi, in Mbombela, and water utility company Swazi Water Services Corporation.

Wilson concludes that the information incorporated in the ebulletins covers manufacturing standards and material designation, product applications and uses, product specifications, relevant certifications, advantages and benefits, technical details and computer-aided design drawings.