An expansion project planned by Union Pipes Industry (UPI) LLC will raise production capacity considerably while also introducing larger-size polyethylene (PE) pipes.

Currently UPI's Dh 65-million facility in Abu Dhabi's Mussafah industrial area has an annual capacity of some 15,000 tonnes and plans are underway for a Dh 25-million expansion to increase production capacity to 25,000 tonnes per annum.

UPI is a 100 per cent UAE national company established in 1999 to cater to the needs of the local and regional market for high quality PE pipes.

Strong, flexible and durable, high density polyethylene (HDPE) pipes are widely used for potable water, sewage, irrigation, oil, gas and other specialist piping applications such as ducting for power and fibre optic cables.

PE pipes offer tremendous benefits compared to traditional ductile iron or reinforced concrete pipes for water and sanitation. Foremost amongst these are their lightweight, flexibility and resistance to corrosion; they are leak-free, maintenance-free and have tremendous long-term durability.

This superiority is already proven in international markets such as Northern Europe and North America where PE pipes command as much as 90 - 95 per cent share in this important segment. Currently penetration levels for PE pipes in the UAE and GCC countries fall between two and five per cent offering tremendous opportunities for growth and exports.

Indeed this was one of the major factors in the decision to establish UPI, as Mohammad Hageb, general manager of UPI, asserts: "One of the most important factors influencing the decision to establish the factory is the need of the local market for a new high quality pipe system with a long service life and low cost which is environmentally friendly and has a wide range of applications."

A major target market UPI is the oil, gas and petrochemical industries in the region where again the superiority of PE over traditional materials is becoming increasingly recognised and relied upon.

Another important factor for the success of UPI is its positive impact on the UAE economy in that that all its raw materials are sourced from the local market and supplied by Borouge.

UPI manufactures solid wall polyethylene and polypropylene pipes using the most up-to-date extrusion machinery supported by technologically advanced automation systems and ultrasound thickness controls. The current production range is from 10mm to 630 mm outside diameter with a pressure range from 3.2 bar to 20 bar and higher for special circumstances. However, after the proposed expansion, UPI hopes to offer a full range of pipes up to 1,600 mm outside diameter and greater.

UPI's fittings fabrication unit makes a complete range of bends and tees to complement its pipe extrusion capability, while special configurations can be made to order. The company's rigid test programme for fittings ensures a consistent quality throughout.

Its pipes are approved by government departments and local authorities in the UAE and other GCC countries for use in water and sanitation. UPI also has approval from its customers in the oil industry for use in relining existing pipelines.

To assist its customers, UPI has a team of trained welders equipped with the latest advanced field welding equipment to advise and support its customers during installation and will train and certify its customers staff at the UPI facility or at site. The company's experienced engineering staff are well prepared and qualified to advise on every aspects of a clients requirements from quality control to design, engineering and specification.

UPI achieved ISO 9001:2000 certification for its quality management system in 2000, and monitors quality throughout the manufacturing from raw material to finished product. Allied to this UPI has the latest testing equipment and highly qualified laboratory personnel who ensure that all products meet the exacting international standards and other contractual requirements of its clients.