TPI September 2024

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The trade magazine for tube and pipe products

September 2024

Photo credit: Ra Dragon

Business & market news

Zekelman to create 91 jobs with Alabama steel pipe projects US commerce secretary Ellen McNair has announced that Zekelman Industries plans to invest more than $6mn to expand steel tube production at its facility in Jefferson County in the US creating a combined 91 jobs. will invest nearly $2.3mn to upgrade the manufacturing capabilities and production capacity at its existing Atlas Tube facility and in the process create 33 jobs over a three-year period. Zekelman will invest an additional $3.9mn to equip an existing warehouse to a new Wheatland Tube facility in Birmingham, Alabama where it will perform finishing processes on torque tubes produced by Atlas. This project will create 58 jobs over the same three-year period. “Not only are these Zekelman operating companies creating jobs in Jefferson County, but they will also be working together to serve the solar industry and advance the ongoing national green energy transition,” said Ms McNair. “Zekelman is a first-class manufacturer, and we’re happy to see them expand in Alabama.” Chicago-based Zekelman

Zekelman is North America’s largest independent manufacturer of steel pipe and hollow structural sections

Once the growth projects are complete, the Zekelman companies will work in tandem to produce steel tubes used by the solar industry. At the Atlas facility, workers will fabricate specialised steel tubing to be used in solar arrays. The product will then be transported to the Wheatland facility, where teammates will complete various processing and finishing steps, before delivering the finished torque tubes to customers. The Birmingham Business Alliance, which worked with the Alabama Department of Commerce to support the projects, estimated they will have a combined economic impact of $20.8mn over 20 years. “I’m excited to see this project moving forward,” said Jeff Traywick, economic development advisor for the Jefferson County Commission. “It’s a great mix of renewable energy equipment production, good job creation and existing industry growth. The county looks forward to seeing this project come to fruition and are proud to have supported the project.” Cornell Wesley, director of the City of Birmingham’s department of innovation and economic opportunity, said: “Zekelman’s production of steel and pipe and hollow products serves as the cornerstone of Birmingham’s historical and enduring status as a prominent player in the steel industry. This industry has the potential to regain its former strength and contribute significantly to the city’s economic growth.”

Zekelman is North America’s largest independent manufacturer of steel pipe and hollow structural sections and a producer of electrical conduit and elbows, couplings and nipples. Its eight companies serve construction and manufacturing customers with structural steel, pipe and modular building solutions. “We’re excited to continue our growth with the community of Birmingham and the surrounding areas,” said Tom Muth, executive vice-president and COO, Zekelman Industries. “We continue to meet with dynamic people as we build this team, and our local partners are helping us transform a warehouse into a steel tube production and fabrication facility. Together, we have built a factory where teammates can expand and grow their careers while supporting their families.”

TechnipFMC awarded flexible pipe contract by Petrobras

of the trust we have built with them over many decades. With this award, we will utilise our global manufacturing capabilities to assist with the continued development of pre-salt reserves.” For TechnipFMC, a substantial contract is between $250mn and $500mn. This award was included in inbound orders in the second quarter of 2024. TechnipFMC www.technipfmc.com

TechnipFMC has been awarded a substantial contract by Petrobras to supply flexible pipe for the pre-salt fields offshore Brazil, following completion of a tender. The contract covers the design, engineering and manufacture of flexible pipe for water injection and gas lift. Jonathan Landes, president, subsea at TechnipFMC, said: “One of our core technologies will once again support Petrobras’s ambitions and we are proud

Zekelman Industries www.zekelman.com

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Business & market news

Van Leeuwen Group launches ‘Impact’ brand for the manufacture of CO 2 reduced tubes

Van Leeuwen Impact steel pipe and tube products are sourced from manufacturers that share Van Leeuwen’s dedication to sustainability. The Impact brand offers a sustainable alternative for and/or addition to traditional steel pipes and tubes, allowing businesses to achieve their goals while minimising their environmental impact. The Impact CO 2 reduced product offer is suitable for a wide range of applications within the industry and energy market segments that Van Leeuwen supplies. By choosing Van Leeuwen Impact, businesses can demonstrate their commitment to a more sustainable future.

Joop Sassen, CEO and member of the management board, said: “Being one of the largest pipe and tube distributors in the world, Van Leeuwen aims to be a frontrunner in conducting and promoting sustainable business in the entire value chain. Working closely together with our partners in the supply chain, we are currently stocking and distributing an entire range of CO 2 reduced steel pipes and tubes. We are proud to offer our customers a sustainable solution with our Van Leeuwen Impact brand, supporting their ambitions to reduce their environmental impact.” Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group www.vanleeuwen.com

The Van Leeuwen Pipe and Tube Group has launched its own brand for CO 2 reduced steel pipe and tube products, called Van Leeuwen Impact. This umbrella brand represents a new line of CO 2 reduced steel pipes and tubes manufactured by a range of European pipe and tube manufacturers. With the introduction of Van Leeuwen Impact, Van Leeuwen supports the sustainability ambitions of its partners and customers in the steel pipe and tube industry. Customers are increasingly seeking sustainable solutions. Van Leeuwen Impact provides a way for businesses to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising on product quality or performance.

Joop Sassen (right), CEO of Van Leeuwen, and Hans Weerstra, member of the executive board

Stockholder of high quality nickel alloy piping products in the Netherlands

Different applications demand different levels of strength and durability. Hart BV recognises this need for flexibility, which is why its nickel alloy products are available in a wide range of wall thicknesses from SCH10S to SCH XXS. This versatility ensures that the customer can confidently tackle any project, no matter the level of demand it presents. Whether a customer is in the aerospace, chemical, petrochemical or any other industry that relies on nickel alloys, it has the solutions to meet most requirements. Hart BV www.hartbv.nl

Hart BV has a comprehensive stock program. It believes in providing customers with quick access to the materials they need, reducing downtime and streamlining operations. With its wide range of nickel alloys and extensive stock program the customer can count on it for prompt deliveries, ensuring that projects stay on track, the company said. Hart BV offers a diverse selection of sizes – from ½" to 8" it has the right dimensions to fit most requirements. Whether a customer is working on a small-scale application, or a large scale industrial project, its nickel alloy products are available in sizes that are tailor-made for the task.

When it comes to industrial materials precision, durability and reliability are paramount and no other class of materials embodies these qualities more than nickel alloys. Hart BV has an extensive stock program that caters to diverse customer needs, from Alloy 200/201 (ASTM B161) to Alloy C276 (ASTM B622/B619) and more. With sizes ranging from ½" up to and including 8" and a spectrum of wall thicknesses from SCH10S to SCH XXS, the company is an expert in nickel alloy. Whether a customer requires the corrosion resistance of Alloy 200/201, or the strength and versatility of Alloy C276, its products are designed to meet precise customer specifications.

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Business & market news

Collaboration to test hydrogen in the steel pipe industry aims to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors

molecule transport, Snam will provide an alkaline electrolysis system to TenarisDalmine, which will operate it to produce the hydrogen needed for the test. Tenova, in turn, will complete the value chain of the process by pooling its know-how on combustion systems and, in particular, supplying burners specifically designed to be fuelled with hydrogen. The project also includes a significant contribution from Techint Engineering & Construction, which provides design and project management services and is continuously expanding in the energy transition field, with the development of general and detailed installation engineering, the development of risk analysis and verification of compliance with safety standards. Tenova www.tenova.com Tenaris www.tenaris.com

will last six months with the aim of evaluating the performance and reliability of using hydrogen in the steel industry and, more broadly, the hard-to-abate sectors that are the most challenging to decarbonise. The goal is to use hydrogen produced on-site to fuel a burner recently developed by Tenova (100 per cent H 2 ready) installed in a reheating furnace to hot roll seamless pipes at the TenarisDalmine plant in Dalmine, Bergamo, Italy. The test will also help to define and implement safety guidelines and plant management procedures, thus developing integrated solutions that can significantly lower CO 2 emissions produced by the manufacturing processes of hard-to-abate industries. TenarisDalmine will provide the site and reheating furnace, contributing its know-how to the installation, operation, and performance monitoring of the steel plants. Using its expertise in hydrogen-related technologies and

The first trial conducted in Italy using hydrogen at a steel plant to process steel products was recently launched. The collaboration between Snam, one of Europe’s main energy infrastructure operators, TenarisDalmine, a Tenaris company and a leader in pipe manufacturing and related services for the energy industry, and Tenova, a leading developer and supplier of sustainable solutions for the green transition of the metallurgical industry,

The companies of the Techint Group consolidated their know-how by developing technologies required to decarbonise hard-to-abate industries

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Business & market news

Double isolation pipeline stopper for enhanced industry safety

marks a major advancement in pipeline intervention and safety management. The DIPS provides a fail-safe isolation using a single size-on-size hot tap intervention, eliminating the need for additional tapping for bleed and vent ports. This approach reduces risks and enhances safety, making it ideal for use in harsh environments. Garry Kidd, managing director at Wellube, said: “The introduction of our DIPS underscores Wellube’s commitment to delivering cutting edge solutions that enhance safety and efficiency in flow management and intervention. DIPS is designed to provide our clients with unmatched reliability and safety, ensuring their critical pipeline operations remain uninterrupted and online.” Wellube’s DIPS technology is third-party approved and is designed to reduce the risk to both asset and operator in highly volatile operational situations, ensuring

Flow management intervention and integrity experts, Wellube, a Unique Group company, has launched its latest innovation, the Double Isolation Pipeline Stopper (DIPS). This solution, developed in-house by the Wellube research and development team,

Wellube’s Double Isolation Pipeline Stopper

it meets the highest performance standards trusted by clients globally. It is the safer way to enable repairs, maintenance, modifications or reconfig- uration work on existing piping systems, whether on a planned or emergency basis. A spokesperson for Wellube said: “We remain committed to continuously developing and integrating new technologies to meet and exceed our clients’ needs, ensuring that we remain at the forefront of the industry.” Wellube www.wellube.com

Garry Kidd, managing director, Wellube

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Business & market news

Swedish pipe recycling facilities unlock new opportunities

products. Konstantinos Akritanakis, R&D international project manager at Pipelife, emphasises that current technologies allow for manufacturing highly durable products from recycled plastics with a service life of several decades. However, sourcing reliable quality recyclates remains a largely unaddressed challenge for manufacturers. “There is a high demand for recycled plastics in industries such as packaging and automotive manufacturing, where the quality specifications for recyclates are not as stringent as those for pipe grade materials. Thus, most recyclers focus on these sectors. At Pipelife, although we have significantly increased our use of recycled materials, sourcing high quality recyclates and ensuring their constant availability remains difficult,” said Mr Akritanakis. To address the current challenges of plastic recycling, such as downcycling or incineration of high quality used products, Pipelife has launched a number of its own circular initiatives, such as free collection service and recycling of used drip irrigation pipes. Another major circularity investment is a new PE/ PP compounding facility in Ölsremma, Sweden. Having commenced operations in April 2024, the compounder allows converting PE and PP waste into premium quality recyclates with properties closest to virgin material. During compounding, PE or PP plastic flakes are melted, filtered, enriched with fillers and additives as required and pelletised, enhancing the material’s physical, thermal and aesthetic properties. The end product — PE/PP pellets — is a high end recyclate that can be used in pipe manufacturing just like pellets from virgin material.

While plastics have become integral to modern life, most of the plastic waste in Europe is still incinerated or relegated to landfills. The increasing global demand for the material highlights the need for enhanced plastic circularity. Pipelife Sweden’s plant in Ölsremma has been revamped into a state-of-the-art PE/PP recycling facility, producing premium quality materials that can be used in pipe manufacturing just like virgin alternatives. The major investment is a crucial part of Pipelife’s commitment to meet its sustainability goals. The demand for plastics in Europe and globally is rising, as the material boasts excellent durability, long life span and cost savings along the value chain. However, growing reliance on plastics underscores the urgent need to increase plastic circularity. Despite efforts, most plastic waste is still incinerated or ends up in landfills. The European Environment Agency has highlighted recycling as a crucial step for improving waste management across the bloc. Although the EU has scaled its recycling initiatives in recent years, the overall share of recycled plastics remains low. In 2021, the EU produced 16.13 million tons of plastic, but only 6.56 tons were recycled. Numerous challenges for scaling plastic recycling remain, from hard-to-recycle product designs and collection issues to inconsistent quality of recycled materials and its often higher price compared to virgin alternatives. A common practice is the so-called downcycling, when recyclates are used to manufacture lesser quality, lower-value products, which often have shorter lifespans and cannot be recycled again. Pipelife is committed to promoting a circular approach and dispelling misconceptions about circular

In its first year, the Ölsremma plant is expected to produce 900 tons of premium quality recyclate, saving 1,170 tons of CO 2 compared to an equal amount of virgin material

“Using recycled materials is a complex process that can be challenging in practice. To ensure the premium quality of our products, we started with the recycling process itself — by designing a custom-made compounding system tailored to our industry’s specific needs,” said Mr Akritanakis. The products recycled are mostly plastic pipes; however, the plant also handles bottles, caps, containers and other PE/ PP waste in smaller quantities. In its first year, the Ölsremma plant is expected to produce 900 tons of premium-quality recyclate, saving 1,170 tons of CO 2 compared to an equal amount of virgin material. The output will increase as the facility reaches its full capacity. Pipelife www.pipelife.com fillers and additives as required and pelletised. The end product is a high end recyclate that can be used in pipe manufacturing During compounding, PE or PP plastic flakes are melted, filtered, enriched with

AkerBP’s Utsira High offshore project awarded to Corinth Pipeworks

the North Sea. Symra will be a tie-in to the Ivar Aasen platform, while Solveig phase 2 will be connected to the Edvard Grieg platform. The Utsira High project adds valuable production, while all producing fields on the Utsira High will be operated with electrical power from shore. Thus, the CO 2 emissions from the production phase will be low.

The pipes will be manufactured at Corinth Pipeworks’ facilities in Greece, while the scope of supply also includes an external 3-layer polypropylene coating applied at the same location as pipe manufacturing at Thisvi, Greece. Corinth Pipeworks www.cpw.gr

Corinth Pipeworks has been awarded a contract from TechnipFMC for 27km of high frequency welded, steel pipes for the Utsira High project development project in the North Sea. The Utsira High Project is a bundle of two separate subsea tie-in projects, Symra and Solveig, in the central part of

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A multi-billion dollar water industry segment not to be overlooked by the tube and pipe industry By Mary Scott Nabers, president, Strategic Partnerships Inc

The project has been tagged with an $89mn cost estimate. However, recently, the city released bid documents and the low bid came in at $178mn. The solicitation was pulled down, and city leaders are expected to issue a new RFP when more funding is found. A timeline for that, however, has not been announced. The Benton Township in Michigan will receive approximately $20mn for water projects from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. The funding is allocated for critical water infrastructure and will help support improvements to expand the community’s water treatment plant’s filtration-rated capacity. Additionally, the plant’s supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system will be updated for the first time since the plant’s construction in 2011. Replacing lead distribution pipes Water usage data shows that the peak daily water demand at the plant often reaches up to 88 per cent of the plant’s daily capacity, signalling the need for expansion. In addition to this effort, city leaders will oversee the construction of two new water towers and a new water main, which will replace the lead-infested water distribution pipes. Construction is scheduled for 2025. The Truckee Meadows Water Authority and the City of Reno, Nevada, secured a $30mn grant from the US Bureau of Reclamation to establish an advanced purified water facility. It will be the state’s first water purification and reuse facility to produce water for water recycling practices. With most of the design phase completed, the project outlines plans for the water facility, six miles of pipeline that will be required and two injection wells. The facility will process highly treated flowing water from the Reno Stead Water Reclamation Facility through a comprehensive purification process, including ozonation, biological carbon filtration and ultraviolet disinfection.

Drinking water infrastructure The Environmental Protection Agency predicts that drinking water and wastewater treatment infrastructure needs will exceed $744bn for construction, repairs and expansions over the next 20 years to meet water quality standards and stated goals. The following examples of upcoming water projects represent just a fraction of the activity found throughout the US government officials in America are working hard to avoid a water needs tsunami in America. Citizens and businesses in Charlotte County, Florida, will benefit from an expansion project at the Burnt Store Water Reclamation Facility. The project is currently being designed to increase the region’s water supply from 0.5 to 2.5 million gallons per day to meet the current demand and anticipated demand from growth and development. Water resources are a critical component of any US region’s ecosystems. But, perhaps even more important is the realisation that water is also essential for human survival. Its needs cannot be ignored. In 2023, the US market for only drinking water treatment and wastewater systems was estimated to be $4.93bn. This revelation also revealed that the industry segment for drinking water and treated water will likely increase at a rate of 7 per cent annually for many years – and perhaps decades. The data clearly signals that government contractors should not overlook this water infrastructure segment. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law allocated more than $50bn for water infrastructure of all kinds between 2022 and 2026. Currently, the country is experiencing the richest environment for water infrastructure funding in the history of the US. Funding, currently, is readily available.

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The treated water will then be injected into an aquifer at American Flat. Initially, it will serve agricultural irrigation, but the facility will later deliver water to residential and commercial sectors. Bidding documents will be released in late 2024 or early 2025. Construction will begin in 2025. City officials in Othello, Washington, will soon supervise a $14mn project to deliver a new wastewater treatment plant. Currently, the city is 100 per cent reliant on groundwater from a nearby aquifer, but the city is using water faster than the aquifer can naturally recharge. The treatment plant project will improve the city’s current water infrastructure and facilities and assess alternative methods of providing long term climate-resilient water resources. The aquifer storage and recovery project will be designed to pump water from a canal, treat the wastewater, and then pump the treated water into the aquifer or the city’s reservoirs as needed. The continuous and automated treatment process will introduce organic soil bacteria into the wastewater as a method of bioaugmentation or enhancing the ability of native microbes to break down pollutants. The project is in the pre-design phase, with an estimated completion date of late 2024. The city still has to acquire land for the facility, but construction is slated to begin in 2026, and plant operations will begin in late 2027. Wastewater treatment plants City leaders in Lawton, Oklahoma, are advancing the second phase of a wastewater treatment plant renovation project. Phase 2 will expand the facility’s capabilities and is estimated to cost between $85mn and $100mn.

Design work for Phase 2 began in May this year and is expected to close in August 2025, about the same time that Phase 1 construction work will be completed. The wastewater treatment plant was first built in 1977 and currently operates at a capacity of 18 million gallons per day. The city has been developing the project to renovate the treatment plant for about three years. Still, the unexpected failure of certain pieces of equipment at the plant has increased the urgency of the renovation project. The impact on water quality pushed the launch date, and the effort will be funded by various sources, including a grant from the American Rescue Plan Act and loans from the Clean Water State Revolving Fund. Water treatment plants and wastewater system projects are usually high-cost initiatives. They involve much more than just construction contractors are expected to use as many local subcontractors as possible. Interested parties likely know that quite a bit of upfront prep work must be done before bidding. The author: As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships Inc Mary Scott Nabers, a former statewide office holder in Texas, has decades of experience in the public and private sectors. Her expertise is her success in connecting the two sectors. Ms Nabers is also a well-recognised expert in the P3 world and a business development professional. Strategic Partnerships Inc publishes Government Market News, a platform for connecting public and private sector leaders in the government marketplace.

Photo credit: OneWater Nevada

Strategic Partnerships Inc www.spartnerships.com

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