The AGRU group is one of the world’s most important single-source suppliers for high-quality products made from engineered plastics. With the 40 million dollar investment into a new production facility for large diameter pipes in Charleston, South Carolina, The Plastics Experts are expanding their presence in the United States and setting a milestone unseen before in the industry. The AGRU XXL PIPE PRODUCTION FACILITY allows the extrusion of the world’s largest high-density polyethylene pressure pipe.
Half a century of experience in plastics processing is what it takes to manufacture the world’s largest high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pressure pipe. AGRU had to overcome major technical challenges to achieve perfect roundness, homogeneous wall thickness, and completely smooth surfaces at the largest scales. Today, the Plastics Experts have the capability to extrude HDPE solid-walled pipe strings in continuous lengths between 5 m (16 feet) and 610 m (2,000 feet), with outside diameter ranges between 630 mm (24 inches) and 3,500 mm (138 inches). These XXL pipe strings are designed to be installed near- or offshore, but can also be utilized for onshore installations of process pipes or transition pipelines.
A pioneering production facility
AGRU’s XXL PIPE PRODUCTION FACILITY in Charleston, South Carolina, is pushing the boundaries in plastic pipe production. Inside this path-breaking facility, the world’s largest solid-walled HDPE pressure piping systems are manufactured on-demand. And with a maximum outside diameter of 3,500 mm, AGRU is establishing new industrial standards. The state-of-the-art production facility is in full compliance with the strictest quality criteria according to ISO 9000 and ISO 14001 standards. As a result, AGRU XXL pipes and fittings meet and exceed both EN 12201 and ISO 4427 requirements. AGRU uses only high-grade PE 100 or PE 100-RC resins for the production of its XXL pipes and fittings.
The facility is located directly on the shore, providing the perfect conditions for the production, storage, and towing of XXL pipe strings. The extrusion into the Cooper River estuary and the marine storage in front of the building are unique in North America. Furthermore, the facility’s close vicinity to the Charleston harbor makes it easy to tow the XXL pipe strings worldwide. AGRU purchased this former industrial site and cleared the pollution damage caused by a century of coal processing. The futuristic plant was designed to withstand hurricane wind speeds up to 150 miles per hour. The new production site causes minimal environmental impact and operates on a 24/7 basis.
XXL diameter HDPE pipes for marine installation
HDPE piping systems are the best choice for many applications on- and offshore. They are nontoxic and are approved for potable water transport. Thanks to their high fatigue strength, AGRU’s XXL pipe strings that are installed offshore can be lowered to the seabed in a fast and safe manner. Since HDPE is also noncorrosive and there are no welding beads inside the continuously extruded pipeline, it is ready for long-term operation with a low-head loss, saving energy. Together with its high abrasion resistance and resilience to shocks, polyethylene is a much better solution than steel, GRP, or concrete piping for many applications. AGRU is able to extrude XXL pipe strings in SDR ratios between 11 and 33.
Worldwide transport by tug boat
Because HDPE pipes are in the “featherweight” class compared to steel or concrete pipes, and with a density of only 0.95 kg / dm³, it is able to float in the water without assistance. This feature enables a unique form of delivery. Towing on-demand manufactured pipe strings over the ocean in the required dimensions to marine job sites is the most effective and cost-saving form of transportation. For this reason, the brand new AGRU XXL PIPE PRODUCTION FACILITY is located at the delta estuary of the Cooper River in Charleston, SC. Pipes can also be stored on the waterway right in front of the new plant, expediting the tugging process. When a pipe is sealed on both ends, the air captured inside provides additional buoyancy for easy towing operations.
Cost savings and higher operational reliability
Customers will enjoy many benefits of the new production site, but the most significant is its logistical contribution to near- and offshore projects resulting in shortened installation time and a range of cost savings. AGRU XXL pipe strings don’t require welding work at the job site and can be quickly joined with flange connections. Such a ready-to-use pipe string of up to 610 m long in conjunction with factory-assembled flange connections represents significant cost and welding work reductions compared with the effort necessary to join 10 m long pipe sections with butt welding. The AGRU Plastics Experts have built up a reputation of delivering complete system solutions based on half a century of application engineering worldwide.
Proven leak-tight fittings
AGRU is a one-stop-shop, supplying the complete range of fittings for customers’ piping systems in the highest quality resins and certified according to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 standards. Fittings are essential components in any piping system, serving to connect straight pipes, to adapt pipes to different sizes or shapes, and to regulate the flow of the contents. AGRU is a pioneer in PE-fittings production, and has built upon its profound technical expertise that encompasses the complete installation process. A huge range of large-diameter HDPE fittings for butt or e-fusion welding is available. AGRU offers stub flanges, reducers, bends, T-pieces, intake heads, and electro-fusion spigot saddles. TOPLOAD for manholes or diffuser-risers are also in stock, or can be tailor-made by AGRU’s certified welding experts. All large-diameter fittings are segment-welded according to project-specific 3-D models in a welding workshop located inside the AGRU XXL PIPE PRODUCTION FACILITY. The workshop is equipped with state-of-the-art welding machines and tools, which are only operated by certified welders. AGRU produces accurate pipe dimensions through proven and tested welding methods. For on-site pipe welding, AGRU can supply a fleet of welding machines that are suitable for site installation and operation.
The Plastics Experts
AGRU is more than a product supplier. Customers interested in designing long-lasting piping systems can turn to the Plastics Experts from the AGRU application engineering department for technical advice. Our team helps determine how parameters such as ground water pressure, covering depth, and operating pressure of the pipe will influence the necessary wall thickness of the system. Cathodic corrosion protection, water hammers, temperature, and debris are further influencers that have to be considered. By taking advantage of AGRU’s broad range of high-quality products made from engineering plastics and its domain knowledge, the Plastics Experts take pride in being able to deliver complete solutions to each customer. Customers seeking a seawater intake pipeline solution, for example, will be informed that candidate XXL pipe strings must incorporate a chlorination piping component such as AGRU’s durable ECTFE piping system. For an intake basin, AGRU has concrete protection liners on hand. These liners are made from a different type of plastic designed to prevent the corrosion of the concrete walls. By offering the best solution for each application, AGRU is able to offer superior customer service. And thanks to the Austrian production site, where large diameter pipes up to OD 2250 mm can be extruded and all other AGRU products are in stock, customers across both hemispheres can enjoy high-quality service from the Plastics Experts.
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