Dammam-based Saudi Plastic Products Company (Sappco) has recently introduced a versatile range of durable large-diameter uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) pipes, which are described as being ideally suited for the construction of sewerage and storm water drainage systems across the Middle East.

These pipes are the culmination of more than 30 years experience that the company has gained in producing high-quality plastic pipes, according to a spokesman of the company.
“These drainage systems, which are easy to install and maintain, resistant to corrosion and extremely cost effective, have low maintenance requirements and a longer life span and hence their overall cost is 10 to 30 per cent less than any other alternative system,” he adds.
In addition, Sappco large diameter pipes have particularly good chemical resistance, which makes them suitable for installation in the extremely aggressive soil conditions in the region.
“These pipes can be used to transport even corrosive waste and drainage water including many strong acids, alkalis and chemicals such as hydrogen sulphide in waste water. They are also resistant to various other chemicals such as ammonia solution, barium sulphide, animal oils, boric acid, butane, calcium sulphide, Paraffin wax, salicylic acid, detergents, fuel oil, and sea water among others with high chemical resistance at temperatures ranging from 20 and 60 degree C,” says a company spokesperson.
Sappco pipes are produced and tested to the requirements of the most stringent national and international standard specifications such as SASO 14 and 15, DIN 8061 and 8062, EN 1401-1 and B5: 3506, among others.
The entire production process – right from the receipt of raw material till storage of finished products – is subject to round the clock quality control monitoring and testing. This process is backed by a high degree of technical skill and know-how of the business, says the spokesman.
“Quality control is strictly maintained to ensure the products meet customer-specified and required Saso/international product standards and this is backed by frequent independent quality control tests carried in and outside Saudi Arabia,” he points out.
Commenting on the superior performance of uPVC pipes, the spokesman says: “A well-known European uPVC large diameter pipes manufacturer conducted very interesting tests by monitoring installation and measuring pipe deflection over a period of about 35 years. Some of oldest installed big diameter uPVC pipes have been measured and dug up to study their durability and to obtain a more accurate lifetime prediction of newly installed pipes. Samples were also collected from sites where pipes were poorly installed or severely overloaded.
“Several mechanical tests relating to stiffness and tightness of joints, among others, were conducted over a period of four years. The tolerance of loaded pipes was found to be higher than what normally can be expected in the field. If these poorly installed pipes can fulfil their function, then there is no doubt about the performance of these pipes installed to approved codes of practice.”
Sappco offers its new range of large diameter uPVC pipes in eight sizes to cater to the diverse project requirements across the Middle East. These include 710 mm outer diameter (OD), 20.7 mm wall thickness, designed for a pressure of up to 6 bar; 630 mm OD, 18.4 mm wall thickness (6 bar); 630 mm OD, 30 mm wall thickness, (10 bar); 500 mm OD, 14.6 mm wall thickness (6 bar): 500 mm OD, 23.9 mm wall thickness (10 bar); 400 mm OD, 11.7 mm wall thickness (6 bar); 44 mm OD, 19.1 mm wall thickness (10 bar); and 400 mm OD with 29.7 mm wall thickness (16 bar). In addition to above pipe sizes, Sappco also produces the full range of uPVC pipes from OD 16 mm to OD 710 mm as well as different pipes in imperial sizes (inch sizes) to American ASTM Standards requirements.
Headquartered in Dammam with branch offices in Riyadh and Jeddah, Sappco has a fully integrated state-of-the-art plant for the production of UPVC, CPVC (chlorinated polyvinyl chloride) and PE (polyethylene) plastic pipe products to meet the growing needs of the fast-expanding construction sectors in Saudi Arabia and other countries.
The company has an in-house team of expert technicians to operate its fully automated extrusion facilities.
Over the years, Sappco has emerged as a customer-driven organisation which is able to respond to changing needs of the construction industry of the region.