The polyethylene pipes division of Amiantit Oman, a major producer of HDPE (high-density polyethylene) pipes in the region, reports that the year has been better than expected.

''We are very pleased with the results this year. In fact, we revised our sales targets upwards in August and we are confident that will achieve these goals,'' says Robert Lawrence, divisional manager, HDPE.

The polyethylene pipe division manufactures HDPE pressure pipes up to 1,200 mm outer diameter (OD) and Weholite twin-walled gravity pipes.

Located close to Rusayl industrial area, the facility was set up in 1996 under licence from KWH of Finland, a world leader in HDPE pipe production. Amiantit Oman claims to have the largest range of Weholite gravity pipes in the world - 300 mm to 3,000 mm in diameter for stiffness class 2, 4 and 8 kN/sq m.

These pipes are specially designed for taking soil load. They can be buried up to 20 m deep or more.

''We target the oil and gas industry and the civil infrastructure such as sewerage and water systems,'' he says.

While Oman remains the firm's main market, around 20 per cent of the division's output is exported.

Lawrence continues: ''Our export partners have given us a healthy boost. The UAE and Yemen are our main export markets followed by Bahrain, Qatar, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Africa. We are currently completing delivery on a major order from Yemen. The job, which is due for completion by the end of November, calls for the supply of pressure pipes for a water supply project.

"In Bahrain, we have completed delivery of 1.3 km of 700 mm diameter Weholite pipes for a stormwater drainage project and is working on another job in the country."

In the UAE, it has contributed to a number of infrastructure projects, including the recent Ruwais housing projects. It is quoting for a 1,200 mm diameter pressure pipe for a job in Dubai. Amiantit Oman is also involved in a project in Syria, deliveries for which are expected to start next month.

In the home market, it is continuing to supply large diameter pipes and manholes for a sewerage programme in Salalah. Amiantit Oman started deliveries more than a year ago and expects to complete the job next year.

For the future, the company is looking at expanding its capacity for special application products which, Lawrence believes, show excellent potential.

These products include storage tanks (both vertical and horizontal), sewage reactor tanks, prefabricated tanks and floats for jetties.

''We are in a new ball game. We are offering value-added products. Our stand at the Big 5 (held in October in Dubai) focused on these fabricated products as we are looking at pushing these items in the UAE market.''

Another product which has gained wide acceptance are its manholes which are especially suitable for the region as they do not corrode and are easy to install, according to Lawrence. They can be 7 to 8 m deep and up to 3 m in diameter.

''Worldwide we sell a lot of these products and the UAE is a big market for them,'' he adds.

It is also looking at expansion with a new production line to produce 1,600 mm pressure pipes, making it one of five such facilities in the world, according to Lawrence.

Amiantit Oman has a production capacity of 14,000 tonnes per year of polyethylene pipe products. The company manufactures for pressure and non-pressure applications in accordance with international specifications (ISO 4427, DIN 8074 and ASTM F894), he says. The pipes are said to be corrosion-resistant, lightweight, highly resistant to chemicals, have a high impact strength, are abrasion-resistant, easily weldable and offer flexibility.

Polyethylene pipe products have been developed for a wide range of applications including: potable water supply; fire service mains; slurry, brine, chemicals, cooling water/chilled water piping; liners for carbon steel pipes for transportation of crude; drainage, sewerage, stormwater collection, road-crossings, manholes, soak-away and valve chambers; low pressure hydrocarbon freestanding service; seawater intake, outfalls and gas distribution.

Amiantit Oman, among the largest manufacturing organisations in Oman, has a wide product range catering to the domestic and export markets for pipes and specials. Besides polyethylene, its manufacturing divisions deal in: uPVC pipes; glass reinforced plastic; glass reinforced cement; rotational moulding; and fibre cement pipes.

All its production departments are accredited to ISO 9002 for the manufacture and supply of different pipe products, which is an integral part of Amiantit Oman's commitment to quality.