AkzoNobel expertise aids in development of new production concept PE-Xa pipes

AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals has helped to create a new concept for the production of peroxide-crosslinked polyethylene (PE-Xa) pipes used in gas and domestic water distribution systems.

Working together with a group of major European equipment technology developers and material producers, the company’s world-leading organic peroxides expertise was used to help develop and fine-tune high-performance cross-linking peroxides to enable single-stage production of PE-Xa pipes.

The pipes, which are also used in district heating and various other industrial applications, benefit from the high temperature and chemical resistance of cross-linked polyethylene and can now be manufactured using the new ready-to-use production process.

AkzoNobel Polymer Chemicals is supplying three key organic peroxides for the production of PE-Xa pipes – Trigonox® B, Trigonox 145 and Trigonox 311 – the latter being an innovative product developed by the company.

Trigonox 311 extends the commercial range of cross-linking peroxides by 20 to 30° Celsius. It allows for the processing of polyethylene compounds at temperatures in the range of 180 to 190° Celsius, thereby facilitating extrusion operations and improving final product properties. AkzoNobel’s expertise in the safe handling of organic peroxides also played a crucial role in the project.

Said Polymer Chemicals Business Manager, Ignacio Garin: “We believe in creating close partnerships with our customers and other technology providers. By listening carefully to our customers and sharing our expertise in organic peroxides we are able to contribute to their success.”

For more information on the new concept please refer to the Media Release from Borealis, the company that have developed BorPEX HE1878E-C2, a fully formulated compound in mini-pellet form that only requires the addition of AkzoNobel's peroxides to produce PE-Xa pipe.