Non-metallic Innovation Centre and SoluForce to collaborate on reinforced thermoplastic pipe product – EPPM

Non-metallic Innovation Centre and SoluForce to collaborate on reinforced thermoplastic pipe product

L-R: Robert-Jan Berg, Managing Director, SoluForce; Mihalis Kazilas, NIC Programme Director; Ihsan Al-Taie, Chief Technologist, Saudi Aramco.

The project will see the organisations joining forces to undertake collaborative research and development aimed at expanding the operational capabilities of plastic pipe systems in service.

Activities will focus on increasing operating temperatures and pressures that reinforced thermoplastic pipes are able to withstand when transporting hydrocarbons. The overall aim is to create a new, more affordable, spoolable composite pipe product which will combine high performance and cost competitiveness. 

The long-term strategy is to reduce manufacturing costs whilst optimising the cost benefit of developed products, in order to promote the adoption of sustainable, non-metallic solutions.

The application of plastic pipelines offers a number of benefits, including corrosion resistance, lightweight and flexibility, and a reduced carbon footprint.

The NIC and SoluForce will combine their expertise on the project to develop an affordable RTP solution.  R&D activities will take place at the NIC’s Cambridge base in TWI’s headquarters and the prototype product will be manufactured by SoluForce®.  The NIC will carry out materials selection processes, investigate the potential use of recently developed and commercially available options, and evaluate the new pipe.

SoluForce MD Robert-Jan Berg said: “We are honoured to have been selected to take part in this prestigious Non-metallic Innovation Centre Agreement. I believe that an important part of innovation is combining the right partners and their underlying knowledge, and I am confident that we will be able to do just that in this development. We are very excited and looking forward to a fruitful, pleasant and successful collaboration.”

Dr Ihsan Taie, the Chief Technologist from Aramco’s Non-Metallics R&D team, said: “Seeing how the NIC made significant progress since its establishment in late 2018, we’ve recorded 100 per cent growth in terms of funding, members and project portfolio.  This success is attributed to its unique effective model for technology development. The model is designed to create a practical, efficient and effective platform for innovation and business at the same time, and we have just put in place a new plan for expansion to include affiliate members which is expected to be approved by early April 2020.”

The signing took place during the second Non-metallic Symposium in Lyon, France, which was organised by Saudi Aramco on behalf of the NIC.