Riyadh-based Alkoblan Thermopipe Factory Company (KTP Thermopipe) expects to make a bigger impact on the polypropylene pipe market when an ongoing expansion of production facilities, designed to nearly double the maximum size of its pipes and fittings, is completed.

"At the end of the project, we will be able to provide pipes and fittings up to 125 mm, which makes us the first company with this big range in the Middle East," says general manager Adib Al Koblan.

The company, which began operations in 1995, currently manufactures thermopipes of diameters ranging between 20 mm and 63 mm.

Al Koblan says KTP plans to appoint agents to cover the GCC countries. The company has a full-fledged branch in Jeddah and a marketing presence in different regions of Saudi Arabia either through sales offices or through appointed agents.

"Furthermore, agents outside the Kingdom were appointed such as Eximco of Egypt; yet KTP is planning to appoint different agents covering different countries of the GCC," says Al Koblan.

"Thermopipe is the name locally used for pipes and fittings made of a special polypropylene material. This material is designed for a number of applications, one of them being potable water networks," explains Al Koblan.

"Polypropylene or thermopipe is designed in a way that it can withstand both high pressure and high temperature and at the same time have a long life span. Nevertheless, the product has greater advantages compared to the traditional piping system. The material is characterised by a very smooth inner surface, which will prevent accumulation of scale, thereby blocking the flow of water. The material does not allow corrosion, and is inert to almost all chemicals. Such qualities are not available with the rest of the traditional materials."

"The thermopipe is installed by means of fusion - by welding pipes from a wide variety of fittings through the use of a specially-designed and handy welding machine. The process of welding and joining takes 20 seconds at the most which makes installation much easier and faster than most other traditional systems. Nevertheless, the joints are firmly connected to the extent that if pressure is delivered to the system, both the original pipe and the joint will perform in the same manner. Again this is not the case with other traditional systems, says Al Koblan.

Giving other details, he says: "Thermopipes are almost maintenance-free and in the event maintenance has to be undertaken, it is possible to access the defective area without having to pull down the entire network.

"Compared to other traditional materials, thermopipes are slightly more expensive, but if life span and maintenance costs are taken into consideration, they prove to be cheaper than other products. They are also known to be safe on contact with food.

"KTP products have been recognised for their quality by the private and government sectors.

" KTP is an ISO 9001-certified company. Products are proving to be in total compliance with international standards as per tests carried out both at Saso (Saudi Arabian Standards Organisation) and the MPW (Ministry of Public Works) in Saudi Arabia says Al Koblan. They have also been approved by a number of companies in the government and private sectors such as Saudi Aramco and by several major engineering offices."