The main focus of the in-house show was a system for the production of Reinforced Thermoplastic Pipe (RTP). Extrusion companies from Russia, Poland, Thailand, Malaysia, China and the Middle East were well represented. There were also many participants from European countries, including Austria, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK and Scandinavia.

The participants attended technical presentations and also viewed an RTP production line in commercial operation at a nearby plant.

RTP is relatively light, but can withstand pressures of up to 100 bar. One important application is in the oil industry, where RTP can be used to transport the mix of crude oil, gas and water from the oil well to the refinery. Compared with conventional steel pipe, RTP is resistant to corrosion and simpler to transport and lay. Other applications for RTP are for high-pressure water and gas supply lines.

Production systems for RTP have two sections – the tape unit and the pipe extrusion line. The tape unit produces the tape reinforced with aramide, polyester or glass fibre. This tape is then wrapped diagonally around the PE inner pipe as it comes off the pipe extrusion line. Finally, a protective PE outer layer is applied.

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Krauss-Maffei Extrusion produces equipment for the manufacture of plastic pipe and other plastics manufacturing processes. HBM distributes the Krauss-Maffei technology in Australia. Other technologies available from HBM include Drossbach - corrugated plastic pipe equipment and drainage systems, and Siad - industrial gas manufacturing plants for nitrogen, pure oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, argon and gas mixtures.