"Hydrogen replacing natural gas – is the pipe infrastructure ready?" is one of the topics to be addressed during the Plastic Pipes XX (PPXX) conference, Sept. 21–23 in Amsterdam. Organizers announced that there will be 100 presentations discussing advancements in material development, research findings, case studies, non-destructive testing (NDT) methods and for other areas concerning plastic pipe. Arranged by the Plastic Pipe Conference Association (PPCA) and held every two years, the event is hosted by PPCA members: PE 100+ Association, the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) and The European Plastic Pipes and Fittings Association (TEPPFA).

“Using its existing network of polyethylene gas pipe to transport hydrogen in the future is a critical topic in the Netherlands, and will be an important focus during our Amsterdam conference,” said Sarah Patterson of the Plastics Pipe Institute, who is co-chair of the PPXX Organizing Committee and chair of the Technical Program. “The conference is planning a session that will be devoted to the investigation of polyethylene pipe when exposed to hydrogen, a study that has yielded positive results, finding the material and pipe to be capable for the task.”

Other technical papers planned for presentation include the following:

• A discussion about the initiatives being advocated in Europe by the Circular Plastics Alliance to support the growth of using recycled material for pipe applications. Highlighted during this session will be the goals already achieved such as new and faster test methods.
• The life-cycle assessment (LCA) study of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe in Thailand that includes more than 48 years of data. The results of the study have been used to gain awareness of the environmental benefits of PVC pipes relative to traditional materials used in the region. 
• A real-life case history about the on-site extrusion of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe using a mobile plant in the west Texas USA Permian basin.
• A recent study was conducted to examine the effects of soft, polymeric interlays on a brittle, mineral reinforced polymer matrix using a fracture mechanics-based methodology. Co-extruded plates with up to 2,048 layers were manufactured and tested for this study. The objectives include a defined guideline from multilayer laminates to industrial pipe applications.

Patterson said that the conference will have three days of technical presentations covering aspects of plastic pipe systems such as raw materials, joining methods/components, processing equipment, additive/ingredients, test methods, plastic pipeline solutions, application areas, case studies, sustainability performance and latest market issues.

The organizing committee of Plastic Pipes XX received 155 abstracts to review and selected nearly 100 for technical presentation and 15 for the poster gallery walk. The list of presentations and session times and dates will be posted on the PPXX conference web page in late first quarter 2020. Additionally, registration, sponsorship and exhibition space details are available on the PPXX website: ppxx.eu.