TPi November 2018

Business & market news

Masterflex opens up markets in Spain and Portugal

This development of business undertakings on the Iberian Peninsula comes as a result of the expansion of the company’s headquarters in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. The group also launched a new website in Spanish at the start of this year to provide digital support to the sales activities. The Masterflex Group specialises in the development and manufacture of connecting and tubing systems made of high-performance plastics and textiles. The group brings together six companies: Masterflex, Matzen & Timm, Novoplast Schlauchtechnik, Fleima-

rate of economic growth in many production sectors that are of relevance to us.” The group’s experience in product distribution will ensure that the products offered by Masterflex and Novoplast Schlauchtechnik will find suitable niches in these strategically important markets. According to Mr Alvarez, there is considerable demand for these products in the aviation construction, glass and wind power sectors, as well as the plastics, pharmaceutical, and bulk solids handling industries. Important potential applications would include use in cooling and air conditioning systems and in suction transport.

Masterflex is actively expanding its tubing and connector sales operations in Europe and will also begin the distribution of its product- and system- specific solutionsmade of special plastics and textiles in Spain and Portugal. “We consider that there is still considerable potential that we can exploit in Europe and by establishing our own agency in Spain we believe we are firmly on the road to enhancing our business prospects in that country,” explained Dr Andreas Bastin, chairman of the Masterflex Group. Sergio Alvarez, the Masterflex Group sales manager for Spain and Portugal, added, “Spain and Portugal are interesting markets exhibiting a good

Plastic, Masterduct and APT. Masterflex Group – Germany www.masterflexgroup.com

Pipetech wins project with Nexen Pipetech, an independent process system integrity specialist, has won a project with operator Nexen to deliver Active Caisson Management on its Scott platform. also includes ongoing inspection and monitoring.

Scott platform to monitor the caisson’s internal scale levels and intervene if required. This proactive approach is vital in today’s cost-effective market.” Following a site survey to identify the full requirements, Pipetech deployed a team of four to carry out the clean utilising its Aqua Milling ® technology. The system has a track record in successfully removing tough scale and blockages, and has the ability to reach up to 600m in a straight line from a single point of entry. It can negotiate up to 20 directional changes. Pipetech is currently the only company licensed to use Aqua Milling in the UK. The technology was deployed 27m above sea level and recovered back to the 1.5" entry point, mitigating any chance of blockages. In total the project took eight days to complete, with a full camera inspection conducted during a planned outage to further confirm the results of the cleaning. Pipetech Norway pipetech@pipetech.no www.pipetech.no

Eric Doyle, managing director at Pipetech, said, “This project is a fantastic example of our ability to mobilise quickly and remove stubborn scale which has been problematic to tackle. By carrying out the work while the platform remained in operation, we saved the valuable cost implications of shutting down production as well as a lengthy start up process. With our many years of caisson experience, we understand the importance of a proactive integrity management plan. Our Active Caisson Management service means we will continue to manage inspection on the

Active Caisson Management delivers a single-sourced solution for inspection, cleaning, coating and planned and programmed maintenance and repair scheduling, to drive cost efficiencies and maintain asset integrity throughout the lifecycle of a caisson. Pipetech has completed the first stage to remove internal scale build up from a 42" produced water caisson on the platform, located 188 km from Aberdeen, while it remained in operation. The scope

Before and after the cleaning process

18

TUBE PRODUCTS INTERNATIONAL November 2018

www.read-tpi.com