DPI Plastics and SAPPMA to eliminate lead from all plastic pipes in SA
PRESS RELEASE
DPI Plastics and SAPPMA to eliminate lead from all plastic pipes in SA
DPI Plastics – a leading manufacturer of water reticulation, drainage and pipe-fitting systems in South Africa – is playing a major role together with its Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturer’s Association (SAPPMA) partners in entirely eliminating lead from all locally-manufactured plastic pipes.
8 May, 2012: Environmentally and socially-responsible members of the Southern African Pipe Manufacturer’s Association (SAPPMA) have placed the organisation as a global frontrunner in eliminating lead stabilisers during the local manufacture of PVC piping products.
SAPPMA was established to create absolute quality, trust and integrity throughout the value chain of the industry, and DPI Plastics is a founding member of the non-profit organisation, which successfully eliminated all lead stabilisers from SAPPMA members’ piping products in 2010 – five years ahead of the anticipated European Union (EU) targets.
Following this unprecedented success, SAPPMA and its members are now driving forward an initiative with the South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) to exclude lead stabilisers from all future SABS specifications. DPI Plastics product manager, Renier Snyman, recently made a presentation on the matter at the inaugural Southern African Vinyls Association (SAVA) conference, which hosted industry experts from around the world in April 2012.
“Lead creates no immediate risk to the end-user whatsoever, but it does pose a serious risk during the manufacturing process, as raw lead comes in powder form and creates a toxic dust that can be inhaled and absorbed into the skin by factory workers and suppliers of the lead stabilisers,” he explains. “DPI Plastics and other SAPPMA members decided to remove lead from the manufacturing process on an entirely voluntary basis, as part of our ongoing commitment to corporate, social and environmental responsibility.”
Snyman notes that SAPPMA members began the process of removing lead stabilisers from the manufacturing process in 2006, and has now replaced it entirely with calcium/zinc and organic-based stabilisers that are non-toxic to humans.“Calcium/zinc stabilisers have been used in PVC applications for more than 25 years and, in addition to being non-toxic, they are essential elements to the human body. Organic-based stabilisers are predominantly based on uracyl technology and are; therefore, heavy metal and odour free, and approved for potable water and food contact applications,” he continues.
Although the process of removing lead from PVC piping has been long and costly for SAPPMA members, Snyman stresses that it vitally-important for future sustainability. “SAPPMA members agreed to begin the process of removing lead stabilisers from their products in 2006. At that time, the price of alternative stabilisers was considerably higher than lead, and all SAPPMA members incurred the additional costs at their own expense, without passing it on to the end-user.”
Snyman points out that an estimated 70 per cent of plastic pipe manufacturers in South Africa have eliminated lead stabilisers from their products, which has resulted in a rise in demand, and consequent decrease in price, for alternative stabilisers. He does; however, admit that the manufacturing process still remains more expensive, due to the fact that higher volumes of alternative stabilisers have to be used in order to achieve the same effect as lead.
He adds: “The cost of manufacturing pipes with calcium/zinc and other organic-based stabilisers is still higher than the lead alternative. However, local manufacturers are becoming more conscious of the health and safety of their workers, and are prepared to cut into their profit margins to reduce the inherent risk of toxic exposure. I am confident that as demand for organic stabilisers continues to rise, they will become more cost-effective than lead in the long-term future.”
Snyman stresses the fact that lead is only being eliminated from PVC piping in order to minimise any risks on the manufacturing side, and he assures all end-users who currently have lead-bonded PVC pipes that they are not exposed to any risks.
“Lead has been used as a PVC pipe stabiliser worldwide for more than 40 years, and has excellent heat and UV resistance, which ensures a good cost-to-performance ratio. During the manufacturing process, the lead is chemically bonded into the PVC pipe and cannot leach from the pipe,” he explains. “What’s more, all pipes containing lead undergo annual SANS 966 tests to ensure that the stabiliser does not leak. These tests, which are carried out by the SABS for various metals, have proven that lead is one of the metals least likely to leak – with a maximum expected leakage of just 50 µg/ℓ, which is negligible.”
SAPPMA members have been in talks with the SABS since January 2012, and Snyman is optimistic that lead stabilisers will be completely eliminated from all SABS specifications within a matter of years. “Although we are still in the early stages of consultation, we have received positive feedback from the SABS so far. As the majority of plastic pipe manufacturers in South Africa have already proven that they committed to social responsibility by eliminating lead stabilisers from their products, I believe that SAPPMA will not receive any strong opposition to the proposal, and we are optimistic that the local industry can set a world benchmark in manufacturing excellence in the years to come,” he concludes.
Ends
Notes to the Editor
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About DPI Plastics
DPI Plastics (Pty) Ltd is a leading manufacturer of PVC and HDPE water reticulation and drainage pipe and fitting systems with two ISO 9001 certified South African factories based in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
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Email: mgoodchild [at] dpiplastics [dot] co [dot] za
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