By Peck Tze Kang, Head of Regional Marketing, Energy & Infrastructure, Asia South, Borouge
Projected to become the world’s most populous country in 2023 , India is on the cusp of an energy and infrastructure revolution. The government must ensure its rapidly growing population has access to affordable, reliable, sustainable energy and water.
At Borouge, we enable everyday life. As a leading petrochemical company, Borouge provides innovative and differentiated polyolefin solutions for the infrastructure, energy, mobility, advanced packaging, agriculture and healthcare industries. Our solutions also help address several global challenges, including climate change, food protection, access to fresh water, energy conservation, healthcare and waste management.
Our polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) materials for pipes are used in numerous industries for various purposes: water and gas supply, wastewater and sewage disposal, plumbing and heating, steel pipe coating, and oil and gas pipelines. We design solutions to develop long-lasting, durable pipe applications that are sustainable, safer and more efficient. These solutions help eliminate wastage and loss whilst offering energy savings.
Innovative infrastructure solutions for everyday life
In 2001, Borouge entered the Indian market and introduced its black pre-compounded PE100 material for water and sanitation systems. We have since successfully collaborated with value chain partners, customers, government organisations, industry associations and experts on raising awareness of using pre-compounded black PE100 pipes as a sustainable solution to conserving water and delivering improved water supply networks.
To ensure we are moving in tandem with our customers and the industry’s evolving needs, we have also identified key market trends in India where our reliable infrastructure solutions can make a significant contribution.
- Increase in demand for PE pipes
In recent years, India has been experiencing a huge spike in demand for PE pipes for water distribution due to the implementation of the Government of India’s rural drinking water programme, Jal Jeevan Mission, along with the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation 2.0 (AMRUT 2.0) scheme and the push for Smart Cities in India.
Within our comprehensive product portfolio, our BorSafeTM PE products are well established in the market for manufacturing pipes with diameters ranging from 20mm to 2500mm. These pipes can support the demanding needs of such large-scale construction and industrial projects. Our BorSafeTMpre-compounded black PE100 materials have a service life of over 50 years that will help guarantee the longevity of water distribution systems.
These massive projects are likely to involve the open-cut trenching method, whichis often challenging and time-consuming. To address such requirements, Borouge has developed a superior grade, HE3490LS-H,for trenchless and Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) operations which can provide over a 50-year lifespan designed to withstand significant surface scratches on pipes that may occur during the installation process.
- Accelerated development of gas infrastructure
To develop a competitive gas-based economy while meeting its Paris Climate agreement to reduce emissions by 2030, the Government of India is looking to increase the share of natural gas in the country’s primary energy mix. This has accelerated the development of requisite gas infrastructures such as gas pipelines and city gas distribution networks, presenting one of the biggest opportunities where industry players can advocate for a secure network by using reliable solutions.
Building gas infrastructure is often a dangerous undertaking. Yet, it is ineffective and eco-friendly way of transporting and distributing energy when designed, built, and maintained according to the highest industry standard. This is where Borouge can add value as we offer our technical expertise and industry experience to ensure the reliability of gas systems.
Borouge has been providing its BorSafeTMOrange PE100 and Yellow PE80 medium density polyethylene (MDPE) materials for the construction of gas distribution networks, and Black PE compound and adhesive for three-layerpolyethylene(3LPE) coating of high-pressure steel pipelines for protection against external corrosion.
- Piped sewage transport networks
With the increasing population, India will need sustainable water systems to manage the precious resource around the country. More piped sewage transport networks are necessary to prevent water pollution while supplying treated sewage water for industrial applications and non-potable use. This would require durable pipes that do not react in moist and damp conditions and are highly resistant to chemicals and corrosions.
OurBorSafeTMHigh Density Polyethylene (HDPE) solution and BorEcoTMpolypropylene block copolymer (PP-B) pipe grades for Double Wall Corrugated (DWC) pipes are ideal for such piped sewage transport networks. We have produced a special grade of PE100 HE3490ELS-H suitable for pipes, with diameters of up to 2500mm and thicknesses of over 100mm that can transport treated sewage water.
Trusted partner for differentiated solutions
Borouge’s quality solutions are not just tailored according to our clients’ requirements, but they also meet international standards. We proactively align with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) regularly to advocate and ensure the pipe used in India meets standards.
With growing awareness in the Indian market about the durability of PE pipes and BIS standards, converters and end users are turning towards better-quality pipes and reliable solutions that can minimize potential wastage of water or prevent gas leakage.
For the past 20 years, Borouge has continually contributed to the overall development of sustainable pipe networks by making them safer, efficient and durable. This has eliminated unnecessary water loss during installation and consumption and lowered pipe installation time while saving energy and reducing carbon footprints.
Sustainable solutions for tomorrow
To ensure sustainable living conditions for an emerging urbanization landscape, the Indian government has allocated numerous resources to cater to the needs of the growing economy and population. As one of its key markets, Borouge remains committed to close collaboration with the industry stakeholders to support the country’s infrastructure needs in the coming years.
We will continue to support India’s gas and water pipe market as we strive to develop sustainable and differentiated solutions that provide advantages to customers, end-users and the community at large, to inspire a better tomorrow.
