Drinking Water Pressure Pipes From Chemically Recycled Plastic Installed in Vienna, Austria

Drinking water pressure pipes made from chemically recycled polyethylene were installed in Vienna, Austria, during June 2024. The initiative brings together the efforts of Borealis and Pipelife, marking the first time that pipes made from chemically recycled material have been used in the city’s drinking water system. The pipe polyolefin material is based on Borealis’ transformational Borcycle™ C chemical recycling technology.

Advancing circular plastics economy

Around 660 meters of PE 100-RC (crack resistant) pressure pipes based on Borealis’ transformational Borcycle™ C technology were laid in the Vienna-Margareten district this summer, marking a significant step toward a circular economy.

The groundbreaking initiative was the result of a long-standing partnership between Borealis and Pipelife, a solution brand of wienerberger, aiming to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics.

Creating drinking water pressure pipes from recycled plastic poses a significant challenge due to the high purity and quality requirements of materials used in sensitive and demanding applications. The breakthrough was made possible by Borcycle™ C technology, with which polyolefin-based waste is chemically recycled into new, virgin-quality plastics that are capable of meeting stringent performance and hygiene standards.

“Circular economy is a cornerstone of wienerberger’s sustainability program. This groundbreaking initiative proves that high-performance pipe systems can be manufactured using raw materials sourced from advanced recycling technologies,” says Frank Schneider, Commercial Director of wienerberger Austria and Pipelife Austria.

The specific grade, BorSafe™ Bc HE3490-LS-H-90, contains over 90% chemically recycled content based on a mass balance allocation. These advanced materials meet the strictest standards for drinking water applications, offering no compromise in terms of quality, safety or service life. The integrity of the approach is verified by ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), which covers the entire supply chain, from raw material to final product, guaranteeing compliance with strict sustainability standards.

“This is an excellent example of how our solutions for infrastructure pipes are enabling life’s essentials,” states John Webster, Borealis Global Commercial Director Infrastructure. “We have a long track record of providing innovative and advanced solutions for the global infrastructure industry. In expanding our offering to include more sustainable solutions, we’re pleased to continue this legacy.”

The project also leverages the considerable experience of Pipelife, an international manufacturer of piping solutions in the areas of water and energy management. As manufacturers of the PE 100-RC drinking water pressure pipes, Pipelife benefited from the fact that Borcycle™ C materials are a drop-in solution, processable on existing equipment. Pipelife’s PE 100-RC pipes, produced with this technology, feature an additive protective coating that makes them ideal for demanding installation conditions such as burst lining or horizontal directional drilling. The latter method was used at the Vienna-Margareten installation. The highly durable, leak-tight PE pipes have a life span of over 100 years, helping mitigate global water stress.

Premium infrastructure solutions for water supply

The project also leverages the considerable experience of Pipelife, an international manufacturer of piping solutions in the areas of water and energy management. As manufacturers of the PE 100-RC drinking water pressure pipes, Pipelife benefited from the fact that Borcycle™ C materials are a drop-in solution, processable on existing equipment.

Pipelife’s PE 100-RC pipes, produced with this technology, feature an additive protective coating that makes them ideal for demanding installation conditions such as burst lining or horizontal directional drilling. The latter method was used at the Vienna-Margareten installation. The highly durable, leak-tight PE pipes have a life span of over 100 years, helping mitigate global water stress.

Pipelife Austria’s Wiener Neudorf production site, where the pipes were made, also has been ISSC PLUS certified. The 55 PE 100-RC 160-mm pipes, each 12 meters long, used in the project are fully traceable, audited and certified, confirming their compliance with the highest environmental standards.

“We aim to support our customers by anticipating their future needs and developing processes and products to meet them,” says Davidovski. “Integrating chemically recycled materials into our product range is a perfect example of this, and also aligns with our own commitment to advancing sustainability.”

The pilot project is intended to pave the way for future collaborations between the partners, confirming Austria’s position as a leader in sustainable innovation.