HEAT PUMPS FANS


are 28mm and 32mm, and over the past decade, increasing numbers have opted to install MLCP as a direct replacement for both copper and plastic (PEX and PB). There are clear sustainability advantages of using alpex pipe – it has an independently verifi ed EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) complying with ISO 14025 and related lifecycle assessment standards. Given that its lifespan is well over 50 years, this longevity means there is no need to dispose or recycle the product every few years. MLCP performs better than plastic when water temperatures


fl uctuate, as it expands and contracts signifi cantly less due to its internal aluminium layer. This makes the material particularly well suited for hot water and heating systems, with the aluminium core also acting as an eff ective oxygen barrier. By preventing oxygen ingress in closed-loop heating systems, MLCP helps reduce corrosion in boilers, pumps, valves and radiators.


In comparison, most plastic pipes need additional barrier layers to emulate such performance. Frankische’s alpex pipes provide an extra layer of reassurance as they are pre-insulated at the factory where they are manufactured. Physical benefi ts of MLCP pipe over plastic include the need for far fewer expansion loops, brackets and joints; it handles water temperatures up to 95o


C and pressures up to 10 bar.


Another key benefi t is its fl exibility, which allows an installer to bend the material into corners, resulting in the use of fewer elbow fi ttings. Within its product portfolio, Frankische has unique swept


elbows that reduce pressure loss by 55% compared to a traditional knuckle elbow, which is only available with plastic pipes (and most other MLCP manufacturers).


MLCP v Copper MLCP off ers several advantages over copper, particularly in


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terms of installation speed, ease of handling, and superior resistance to corrosion and scale build-up. It also eliminates the need for ‘hot works’, making installation safer and more effi cient. From an environmental perspective, MLCP is a far more sustainable option. Copper must be mined, processed and heated to temperatures exceeding 1,000°C during manufacture, generating signifi cant CO₂ emissions in the process.


In addition to being more cost-eff ective than copper, MLCP is considerably lighter and manufactured in much longer continuous coils. Combined with its fl exibility and ability to bend easily, this reduces the number of joints and connections required, while still providing a fully watertight system. Copper needs to be lagged every three metres, whereas


alpex MLCP is pre-insulated at the factory, providing a much better fi nish and no split!


When it comes to cost comparisons, MLCP is around 50 per cent cheaper than copper pipe. However, savings can be far more after factoring in the additional fi ttings needed with copper.


The following example is based on the installation of a


traditional boiler in a 3-bed semi-detached house requiring pipe and fi ttings for 10 radiators. Using copper pipe and the associated accessories and fi ttings, the total cost would be approximately £2,000. However, using MLCP this would fall to around £1,000.


Looking to the future Sales of MLCP will continue to grow, as specifi ers and heating engineers factor in the savings that can be made because of the material properties of MLCP, which includes the ability for it to be bent into position and remain there. This means fewer accompanying system parts - such as elbows – are needed due to fewer connections being required


www.acr-news.com • July 2026 33


"There are usually two reasons for changing the specifi ed material: fi rstly, the contractor


may be looking for a cheaper alternative to copper and, secondly, it may be a material they prefer to work with as it’s lighter to handle."


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