REHAU - Experts & Thought Leaders

Polymer pipework manufacturer - REHAU is set to hold an online showcase on its latest district heating pipework, RAUVIPEX, which will explore how the product can help address common challenges for heat network designers and installers. RAUVIPEX Hosted by Alexandra Leedham, Technical Team Leader for Renewable Energy at REHAU Building Solutions, the showcase is set to take place from 11 am to 11:45 am on Wednesday, 4 December, 2024, with prospective attendees able to register their interest now. Launched in July 2024, RAUVIPEX is the culmination of over 25 years of expertise in district heating design and has been specially constructed to offer market-renowned flexibility, while maintaining superior insulative performance. streamlining the installation As part of the showcase, Alexandra will discuss how the pipework’s flexibility can help significantly streamline the installation process for those working on new projects, alongside how features, such as the longitudinal watertightness barrier can help safeguard against damage once in the ground. After covering various aspects of the district heating system, alongside product testing and performance, the session will round out with an open-forum Q&A, which will allow attendees to pose their district heating queries to REHAU.

In an effort to accelerate the rollout of low-carbon technologies across the UK, REHAU has launched RAUVIPEX, a new high-performance pre-insulated pipe. Perfect for district heating and heat network projects, RAUVIPEX is an all-round performer, with high flexibility, low heat losses, and an innovative longitudinal water tightness barrier. RAUVIPEX is manufactured with REHAU’s tried and tested PE-Xa carrier pipes, proven in the industry for extreme durability for over 45 years. This has been combined with a newly developed fine-pored PUR foam, creating the optimum combination of insulation performance and improved bending elasticity. RAUVIPEX features Longitudinal water barrier offers the best shield against moisture penetration into the pipe insulation The additional flexibility facilitates much easier installation, in turn resulting in reduced bending forces and faster construction times. Moreover, the pipework’s robust outer jacket makes use of U-shaped wave crests and thick walls, resulting in a pipe system that is not only extremely flexible, but durable. RAUVIPEX features a brand-new longitudinal water barrier to ensure maximum protection if the outer jacket was damaged. Welded all the way around, the longitudinal water barrier offers the best possible protection against moisture penetration into the pipe insulation. Bending forces and durability “Years of experience in district heating projects and feedback from our customers has gone into developing RAUVIPEX. This is why we have focused on improving the bending forces and durability through an all-new design for this pre-insulated pipe,” begins Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing & Technical at REHAU Building Solutions. “This means it can be quickly and easily rolled out for large district heating projects, making the transition to more sustainable heating achievable in much shorter timescales.” Integrated district heating system Project-specific coil lengths can be produced in coils of up to 2.8 m wide and 1.6 m long if required In an effort to improve ease of transportation, RAUVIPEX will be available in 2.4 m coils as standard. This change enables the pipework to be transported via standard HGVs, reducing carbon emissions before the pipe has even got to the site. Project-specific coil lengths can be produced in coils of up to 2.8 m wide and 1.6 m long if required. RAUVIPEX forms part of REHAU’s fully integrated district heating system, including the renowned EVERLOC compression sleeve jointing system, used over 1 billion times globally. The innovative Clip-Flex district heating shroud, which was launched in 2023, also supports angle deviations of up to 22.5° in every direction. Here, the two combine to offer unprecedented levels of freedom and security in heat network design. Uptake of greener technologies Steve concluded: “RAUVIPEX’s design is intended to help accelerate the uptake of greener technologies – quick and easy to install, and reliable for decades to come once in the ground." “We strongly believe that innovations such as this will be key to decarbonizing the nation’s heating, and we look forward to working with our customers on their upcoming projects.”

In an effort to help facilitate faster and more reliable installations, REHAU has launched its new PP-R fiber range, which means REHAU can now provide a complete O-ring-free plumbing solution for commercial and multi-residential buildings. The new PP-R fiber system can be used in perfect combination with REHAU’s flexible RAUTITAN PE-Xa plumbing system, with a new PP-R to RAUTITAN adapter created specifically to allow a complete polymer solution from 16-125 mm. O-ring-free plumbing solution Together, the two systems offer specifiers and contractors a complete end-to-end O-ring-free plumbing solution, from the plant room, the heating system and to the hot and cold outlets. M&E professionals now have a wide array of hygienic, quick-to-install polymer pipes, well-suited for apartments and commercial projects including care homes, hotels, and student accommodation. It is available in sizes up to 125 mm, to meet customer demand for polymer pipework in larger sizes above the 63 mm maximum for RAUTITAN. Potential for modular construction In an effort to deliver time and cost savings during projects, REHAU is also offering pre-fabrication for the PP-R fiber range In an effort to deliver time and cost savings during projects, REHAU is also offering pre-fabrication for the PP-R fiber range. The potential for modular construction methods such as this was explored in full in REHAU’s recent whitepaper Offsite Trends in Building Services. "Our RAUTITAN plumbing system has been extensively used for apartments and other commercial buildings, but specifiers and contractors have been asking for larger pipe sizes as an alternative to traditional materials for risers and corridors," explains Steve Richmond, Head of Marketing and Technical – Building Solutions at REHAU UK. Inner layer of the PP-RCT polymer Steve Richmond adds: "The new PP-R fiber riser system meets this need with a socket welding design, which is a proven welding technology, and an improved flow rate due to no reduction in internal bore through the fittings." He continues, "It is our hope that this product range becomes a mainstay in commercial plumbing projects, helping building services professionals reduce weak points in the system by avoiding O-rings throughout. With the riser also able to be integrated into prefabricated structures, it is well-placed to help specifiers and contractors meet an anticipated rise in housing demand over the coming year and beyond." New solution features inner layer of PP-RCT polymer The new solution features an inner layer of PP-RCT polymer with white oxidation resistance technology, a middle layer of fiberglass reinforcement and a PP-R outer surface, providing durability and drinking water approval to KIWA Reg 4 (ATS1+ level).