Uponor Oyj : Licence for giant diameter polyethylene pipe awarded in France

1/30/2017

Uponor Infra Oy and TUBAO S.A.S., Saint Saens, France have announced a licensee agreement, whereby Uponor Infra will grant TUBAO an exclusive licence for the manufacture and marketing of the Weholite® pipe in France. Invented by Uponor Infra (former KWH Pipe) in the 1980s, the revolutionary Weholite® technology consists of High Density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, fittings and fabricated assemblies.

The structured-wall HDPE Weholite® pipe is available in various sizes, with inside diameters ranging up to 3,500 mm. Initially, TUBAO plans to offer pipes up to 3,000 mm in inner diameter (ID). The Weholite® pipe is used extensively worldwide in low pressure/gravity service applications for conducting potable water, storm water, wastewater, as well as various other liquids. Weholite® fabricated assemblies are designed for special functions such as manholes, retention tanks and even individual, family-size sewage treatment units for non-urban regions.

Thanks to the smooth surface of the Weholite® pipe, flow rate is higher than that of steel, cast iron or concrete pipe. With its extra-large diameter, the Weholite® pipe can also be utilised as an enclosed channel for conducting liquids over distances. This lightweight polyethylene pipe is continuously extruded and can therefore be supplied in any shippable length, which facilitates fast and easy installation. Its corrosion-resistant properties ensure a long service life. Cost effectiveness is an important feature of the Weholite® product line. The Weholite® pipe is mainly joined by extrusion welding to ensure that the joints meet the standards of leak-proof joints.

Uponor Infra's Weholite® licensees have manufacturing operations in nine countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and Latin America.

TUBAO S.A.S is a 60-year old French company specialising in the storage of rainwater based on a range of solutions, such as corrugated steel pipes and renovated tanks. TUBAO is one of the sector's major players in France and its neighbourhood countries. TUBAO will produce Weholite® in its new factory in Normandy, France.

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