Specialist water cooling company Industrial Water Cooling (IWC) believes local mining companies using corrosion-resistant, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) pipelines could be saving millions on recurring pipeline breakdowns resulting from corrosion.

GRP pipes are considered advantageous in the mining industry where, in addition to harsh environmental conditions, the use of corrosive chemicals, especially in metals processing plants, is prevalent.

“GRP pipes are well priced, do not require maintenance and are designed to have a life span of around 50 years, which is a huge saving on the life cycle cost over a 50-year period, especially in the mining industry, where conditions are harsh,” says IWC CEO Roger Rusch.

IWC officially launched a GRP manufacturing facility – one of only two such plants – in Isando, Ekurhuleni, in 2012, in response to the mining industry’s growing demand for fibreglass equipment and piping.

Before IWC launched its GRP facility, the biggest local supplier of industrial fibreglass was based in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Our facility offers a range of services and products, including on-site GRP piping repair, as well as the manufacturing and design of corrosion-resistant linings and fittings for pipeline systems,” says Rusch.

IWC’s facility designs, manufactures and installs GRP corrosion-resistant linings as well as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and high-density polyethylene pipes and fittings that measure between 25 mm and 2 500 mm in diameter.

Owing to their strength, durability and noncorrosive properties, GRP pipe systems have a longer life expectancy, compared with a variety of construction materials, which makes it remarkably economical in the long run.

GRP pipes are considerably less expensive than those manufactured from stainless steel, for instance, or other materials used in the metallurgical processing industry.

Because of its unique physical properties, GRP can be easily moulded and manufactured to meet almost any industry specifications. With GRP, there are few constraints on size, shape, colour or finish.

GRP is also stronger than steel and sheet metal, has a high resistance to environmental extremes and is resistant to ultraviolet light, extreme temperatures, salt air and a variety of chemicals, including most acids.