IPEX, a thermoplastic piping systems manufacturer, has completed a plant expansion in Edmonton AB. The development represents a $55.4-million investment for the company. The expansion is 17,245 square feet and will allow IPEX to bring large diameters of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pressure and sewer piping to the Canadian market.
It also allows IPEX to provide Western provinces with large diameters of PVCO piping. This molecularly oriented PVC pipe is designed to be lighter, while providing increased strength and durability. PVC and PVCO continue to be the materials of choice for municipal and commercial projects in Canada because of their corrosion resistance, hydraulic performance, and ease of installation.
“Alberta has been a strong proponent of our piping systems as a responsible choice for sustainable infrastructure for many decades,” said Alex Mestres, chief executive officer, IPEX Group of Companies. “We are proud to be at the forefront of new technologies and products that let us serve our Canadian customers with unparalleled responsiveness for their current and future needs.”
In addition to the three new PVC and PVCO lines, 15 local full-time skilled tradespeople, including PVC extrusion line operators, design engineers, as well as quality control and maintenance workers will be joining the Edmonton plant.
“We’re pleased to continue investing in the Alberta economy,” added Mestres. “This plant expansion represents an exciting opportunity to grow our business in the great city of Edmonton.”
About the products:
IPEX Bionax PVCO pipe: Originally manufactured at IPEX’s Montreal plant, the Bionax line has the lowest carbon footprint of any municipal piping system and will be available to Western Canada this fall. It will be offered up to 30-inch diameters – the world’s largest – and in three pressure classes, allowing it to serve the water distribution and transmission needs of municipalities across Canada.
IPEX Centurion PVC: The IPEX Centurion line available from 14 to 60-inch diameters is manufactured with a cast-iron outside diameter, making it compatible with much of the existing older infrastructure of iron pipes. The versatility and ease of installation, as well as its ability to withstand harsh Canadian winters, makes this product unmatched.
IPEX Ring-Tite PVC: Ring-Tite piping systems, available from four to 60-inch diameters, have proven to be more abrasion resistant than concrete pipe. They are also virtually immune to typical sewage chemicals including hydrogen sulfide, which causes millions of dollars in damage to concrete and metal infrastructure.
