FLOWTITE Technology’s primary mission is to provide R&D, know-how and equipment for the manufacture of GRP pressure and non-pressure pipes, as well as storage tanks. Research and product development by FLOWTITE Technology covers both product improvement programmes as well as programmes aimed at better understanding and defining the installation and use characteristics of these fine products. FLOWTITE Technology, with its multi-million dollar “Center of Excellence” in Sandefjord, Norway, leads the world in research GRP-pipe technology.

FLOWTITE Technology is committed to a leadership role when it comes to process and product improvements. The company carries out basic “materials” research which has led to significant improvements. For example, the direct manufacturing cost of GRP-pipe has been reduced considerably, while long-term performance has steadily improved. The philosophy has been carried forward to include the process and equipment used to manufacture the product. Throughput is ever increasing, without sacrificing quality, as a result of the introduction of better process controls aided by sophisticated programmable logic controllers and computers.

FLOWTITE Technology also takes on leadership in GRP-pipe specification development. Its personnel are in leadership positions for all significant global standardization organizations. This includes International Organization for Standardization (ISO), American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM), American Water Works Association (AWWA) and the Committee for European Normalization (CEN).

FLOWTITE Technology’s market assistance includes everything from developing a comprehensive marketing plan, which covers the introduction of a new product, to direct sales support with a major customer.

FLOWTITE Technology always provides process assistance for a new operation during start-up. The FLOWTITE Technology team is on the leading edge of new technology for GRP-pipes and is ready to help adapt this latest technology at a pace consistent with needs.

FLOWTITE Technology has the manufacturing and product technology for both small diameter (80 mm – 250 mm) and large diameter (300 mm – 4000 mm) pipes with pressure classes up to and including 32 bars and stiffness classes meeting international and national requirements (typically 2500, 5000 and 10000 N/m2). The products utilize glass fibre reinforcements, both continuous filament rovings for high hoop tensile strength and chopped rovings for balanced hoop and axial design considerations, in conjunction with polyester resins and inert silica sand. The resulting composite wall construction allows for the economical production of a GRP-pipe, yet with the high strength and corrosion resistance commonly associated with a glass reinforced plastic pipe. The standard joint is a Flowtite ™/ Double-bell/ REKA coupling with elastomeric sealing gaskets. Typical fittings (tees, wyes, elbows, reducers), as well as restrained joints (flanges, lay-ups, locking coupling), are also part of the product line.