A NEW polyethylene and polypropylene pipes factory, which is set to come on stream in Riyadh shortly, is optimistic of landing huge orders from its domestic as well as other Gulf markets once it launches commercial production in July.

Al Bilad Polyethylene and Polypropylene Pipes Factory will have a production capacity of 3,600 tonnes a year (tpy) of HDPE (high density polyethylene) profiled pipes, fittings, manholes and storage tanks measuring 300 mm to 4,000 mm in diameter.
Its products, targeted at the water and sewerage network markets, will be manufactured in accordance with EN ISO 9969, DIN 16961 and ASTM F894 standards, according to Mohammed Jamil Afanah, operations and business development manager.
The factory, which is in the commissioning stage, is a branch of the Al Bilad Concrete Pipes Company, which has achieved major success in the piping industry since its inception in 1980. Given its extensive experience in the development of piping systems and having observed the drawbacks of various systems, Al Bilad focused on finding a solution that would address the needs of the market, according to Afanah.
“Hence, we decided to build our own factory to produce HDPE and polypropylene pipes (PP) as they are versatile products that are being widely adopted in a variety of piping systems and rapidly replacing most conventional pipes,” he says.
“The ability to produce profiled HDPE pipes in larger sizes has also resolved the technical problems faced in manufacturing other types of pipes with bigger diameters,” he adds.
Al Bilad Polyethylene and Polypropylene Pipes Factory was set up in 2005 and is located on a 21,160 sq m area at the new industrial city, Al Kharj Road, south of Riyadh.
It is equipped with the latest machineries and know-how from Germany’s Krah, one of the world’s leading companies for production and turnkey installation of pipe production plants for plastic pipe in diameters up to 4,000 mm.
Explaining the importance of high-performance piping systems, Afanah says: “The society, today, relies on efficient sewerage systems for domestic and industrial purposes. For this reason, engineers require high-performance pipelines that eliminate the risk of damage or failure during its operation.
“The inherent properties of HDPE profiled pipes ensure the best solutions to overcome engineering challenges in the widest range of conditions encountered in wastewater and drainage systems.
“This is because HDPE profiled pipes offer high durability, high resistance to corrosion, chemicals, ultraviolet degradation and temperature and have load-bearing capabilities and impact strength. Additionally, they are environment friendly, lightweight, cost-effective, resistant to rodents and earthquake- proven and have a smooth inner surface.”
The company’s high-quality products will be backed by efficient service, he says.
“Al Bilad’s team of engineers will support customers with appropriate and accurate technical back-up and services such as system design, installation and testing. In addition, the company will keep pace with the latest technologies and concepts, in order to furnish customers with the right technical advice.”
Afanah foresees encouraging prospects for the kingdom’s construction sector and reveals that its water and sewage sector was estimated to be worth SR2.8 billion ($773 million) last year.
“In Riyadh alone, there are more than 100 water and sewage projects currently under construction, with 44 others planned,” he says.
The future-focused company has also chalked out expansion plans to meet the demand for its products.
“The company will expand the product range of gravity pipes and install new production lines to produce HDPE high pressure pipes from sizes 16 mm up to 800 mm to meet the huge local and export demand for this type of pipes,” Afanah indicates.