DPI Plastics awarded SATAS certification
DPI Plastics, a manufacturer of PVC and HDPE water reticulation and drainage pipes as well as fitting systems, has received certification for some of its products from the South African Technical Auditing Service( SATAS).
SATAS is a regulatory body, accredited by the South African National Accreditation System, to certify manufacturers in accordance with ISO 17065.
“ We are proud to announce that we have been awarded SATAS certification. The SATAS mark will appear on our products shortly after the certification has been completed,” DPI Plastics technical and product manager Renier Snyman says.
SATAS conducts independent audits and selects products for testing at an independent test laboratory. Certification is issued once SATAS is satisfied that the products comply with the relevant SANS standard. This is the same procedure used by the SABS for certification.
“ SATAS is highly respected as a mark of quality, and is well accepted and used by municipalities,” Snyman points out.
DPI Plastics has applied for four SATAS marks for its Roodekop factory, and at the time of writing has been awarded three. Snyman says the aim is to achieve a total of seven SATAS marks at Roodekop and elsewhere in the group, including its Belville factory in the Western Cape, and sister companies Sangio Pipe and NPC Namibia Plastic Converters. u
Using plastic pipes in mining
For more than 45 years, plastic pipe has extensively been used in mining in southern Africa. According to Jan Venter, CEO of the South African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association( SAPPMA), the unique benefits of PVC and HDPE pipes fit particularly well in a mining environment.
It is estimated that more than 30 % of all HDPE pipe in southern Africa finds its way into mining applications.“ It is a proven product in rugged terrains, extreme climates, and changing site environments, and is without doubt one of the most popular materials, particularly in gold and platinum mines, as well as in opencast coal mines,” Venter says.
Although they are used to a lesser extent, Venter says PVC pipes are particularly popular when modified for high impact and for the use of compressed air.
When it comes to selecting pipe materials for mining applications, Venter explains that the two most important
DPI Plastics
DPI Plastics has received certification for some of its products from the South African Technical Auditing Service.
factors are security and reliability.“ The pipe must be rustproof, break-resistant, and safeguard the environment. It is important that the pipe used has a proven track record and that it is respected by professional engineers and installers. High-density polyethylene( HDPE) pipes not only meet, but exceed these challenges.”
Venter says the proven advantages of HDPE pipe for mining applications are low cost, ease of installation, and a resistance to chemicals, abrasion and pressure surges as some of its most popular characteristics.
“ HDPE pipes are well-suited for the solids environment in mining applications, as they offer superb chemical- and abrasion-resistance. They are without a doubt the pipes of choice in harsh chemical environments, since they have been tested and proved over and over again in the variety of mineral processes, ranging from low pH acids to corroding solutions.” u networking tech news environment industry infrastructure municipalities
Water Sewage & Effluent January / February 2017 37