TECHNOLOGY | MATERIALS HTPs
PAEK compounds chosen for use in corrugated flexible plumbing tubes
Syensqo has engineered a range of AvaSpire polyary- lether ketone (PAEK) compounds for corrugated flexible tubes in plumbing and sanitary applications – with or without external hose reinforcement. In a first commercial implementation for domestic plumbing pipes and lining, Uniwell Rohrsysteme is using the material to make armature connection hoses for use in Grohe bathroom and kitchen faucet systems. “With our innovative flex hose design, we are solving key manufacturing, installation and regulatory issues,” said Hans-Peter Meyer, product manager for Uniwell. “AvaSpire PAEK was the perfect
GRPs Glass-reinforced pipe resists extreme wear
Amiantit has launched a new glass- reinforced plastic (GRP) pipe technol- ogy that aims to extend service life in extreme wear environments. The solution, based on Flowtite technology from Amiblu, targets sectors such as stormwater manage- ment, mining slurry transport and high-velocity hydraulic systems. Pipelines operating in these types
of applications are often not limited by pressure or corrosion but by mechani- cal wear. To address this, Amiantit has introduced Flowtite Orange, a GRP pipe for environments where abrasion and erosion govern pipe service life. GRP pipes from Amiantit are made using Flowtite technology, a continu-
32 PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION | Spring 2026
ous filament winding process that enables precise control over fibre orientation, wall structure and liner integration. They are used in both pressure and gravity applications and comply with many international standards. Flowtite Orange builds on this, while shifting the design focus towards wear mechanisms rather than conventional structural or chemical resistance. Traditional pipe liners often address one mechanism at the expense of the other. Hard liners may offer good abrasion resistance but can crack under impact, while softer liners absorb impact energy but wear rapidly under sliding contact. Flowtite Orange
has been engineered to address both mechanisms within a single liner system.
At the core of a Flowtite Orange pipe is a wear-resistant, flexible liner that is chemically integrated with the GRP laminate, rather than being mechanically bonded. This reduces the risk of liner separation or peeling under pressure cycling. The liner is designed to resist sliding abrasion from sand, gravel and hard particles, absorb repeated particle impacts under turbulent flow, maintain integrity under high flow velocities and preserve a smooth internal surface for hydraulic efficiency. �
www.amiantit.com
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material for this application, as it helped us streamline the existing production process and replaces conventional brass.” The Uniwell flex hose is manufactured with extrud- ed PAEK tube segments
cut to length in a continu- ous process that requires no further steps. In water pipe installations, the material – compared to brass – minimises the potential risk of lead contamination and ensures
long-term creep resistance. Esther Villena, construc- tion market manager for Syensqo’s speciality polymers business, added: “Depending on the grade, AvaSpire PAEK can deliver higher ductility, creep and retention properties at elevated temperatures. It fills a cost/performance gap compared to other high- performance polymers.” The grades for flex hose in plumbing and sanitary applications are available worldwide, and meet relevant potable water certifications in different regions. Other potential applications include flushing cisterns, heat pumps, boilers and connec- tions of solar heat devices. �
www.syensqo.com
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