The polyvinyl chloride (PVC) range of fence droppers from PVC and high-density polyethylene water reticulation, drainage pipe and fitting systems expert DPI Plastics is expected to gain measurable market share during 2013.

“DPI Plastics has developed a strong reputation over the decades as a trusted and reliable supplier of high-quality products to the South African farming community. Using this reputation as a platform from which to promote the considerable benefits of the new range will enable DPI Plastics to expand its footprint further into the agriculture and game-farm markets,” says DPI Plastics technical and product manager Renier Snyman.

The fence droppers are manufactured from 100% recycled PVC and are a greener alternative to industry-standard steel and wooden droppers, notes Snyman.

He adds that the PVC fence droppers can potentially last up to 50 years, which is significantly longer than the life span of wood and similar to that of steel.

The company’s PVC fence dropper range has undergone successful trial periods and was officially launched in late 2012, following months of research and development.

“The trial periods have resulted in several sales across the farming regions in South Africa, particularly in Mpumalanga, the Free State and the Northern Cape.

“As environmental sustainability becomes an increasingly important prerequisite, farm owners have peace of mind that the manufacturing process of the PVC fence droppers has a considerably lower carbon footprint than any of the other materials currently available on the market for the same applications,” says Snyman.

He highlights that the cost of the product is competitive when compared with the cost of steel alternatives and that initial sales of the product were sluggish, but they have increased. DPI Plastics hopes to market the product aggressively at future trade fairs, such as the Nampo agricultural trade fair at Nampo Park, in Bothaville, from May 14 to 17.

The idea for the PVC fence droppers came from DPI Plastics MD Gerhard Kotzee, who saw the opportunity of using the left-over material not only for piping, but also for the construction of fence droppers, explains Snyman.

He notes that the product took about eight months to develop and designs were tested until mid-2011, after which the company settled on the triangular shape, as it worked best with the fences.

The PVC fence droppers substantially reduce transportation costs because they are made from lightweight materials, significantly reducing carbon monoxide pollution as a result. More droppers can also, therefore, be fitted to each load, stresses Snyman.

“This significantly reduces fuel consumption, as the number of delivery trips to and from the site are reduced. An additional benefit of PVC, compared with steel, is that it does not conduct electricity, which eliminates the risk of an electric fence short circuit,” he adds.

The DPI Plastics range of PVC fence droppers is also highly resistant to chemicals, in addition to being self-extinguishing.

“Although PVC will melt in a large fire, it does not transform into a low-viscosity liquid that would spread the flames. Once a heat source is removed, PVC does not continue to burn,” states Snyman, adding that the range is also resistant to rust, insect damage and ultraviolet light.

“These characteristics ensure further long-term savings, owing to minimal maintenance being required. Recycled PVC also has no scrapyard value, which further reduces the risk of the fences being damaged as a result of theft,” he stresses.

The PVC fence droppers are manufactured entirely in-house by DPI Plastics and are currently available in the following dimensions – 19 mm × 1.25 m, 19 mm × 1.27 m, 19 mm × 1.40 m, 19 mm × 1.85 m and 19 mm × 2.45 m.