Trelleborg is a world leader in engineered polymer solutions that seal, damp and protect critical applications in demanding environments. We speak to Jörg Garbe, Sales Manager Pipe Repair EMEA, about how their innovative solutions accelerate performance in a sustainable way.

Trelleborg produces advanced polymer solutions, including Pipe Seals operations advertised with the slogan “Watertight solutions that last”. What exactly is behind this?

“Trelleborg was founded in 1905, meaning our customers today benefit from more than 100 years’ experience of engineered polymer solutions that seal, damp and protect. We offer a large portfolio of watertight solutions for new pipes as well as methods for repairing existing pipes.

“We are truly committed to providing customers with the best quality, ensuring our sealing solutions last for a very long time. Our systems comply with international standards and our materials have been tested by independent research institutes, like Elastocon and the Institute for Underground Infrastructure (IKT). Their 2018 research proves that our compounds last significantly longer than our competitors’ systems and our short liner patch repair system is the best silicate-based resin system on the market.”

How can you ensure that these high-quality materials lead to long-lasting results in the area of pipe repair?

“We guarantee a service lifetime of more than 50 years when our systems are applied correctly. Sometimes, we’ve seen how mixing the wrong materials or insufficient curing of liners leads to less optimal results. That’s why we train customers, either at our facility in Duisburg or on-site. We also give regular demonstrations, for instance at No Dig Live 2018 in Peterborough, UK. In the past, we’ve done roadshows and we’ll continue to do so when the opportunity arises.

“For those with urgent questions, we offer an app that helps customers calculate the right amount of resin to be mixed. Our customer services and technical service team can also help. Together with RSM, our distributor in the UK, we hope to raise the bar in pipe rehabilitation.”

What is special about your systems for trenchless pipe rehabilitation?

“Our reference projects speak for themselves. At Frankfurt Airport, the fourth largest in Europe, which serves 60 million passengers a year, we assisted in the rehabilitation of the sanitation infrastructure underneath Terminal 1. Almost 4 km (2.5 miles) of pipe in hard to reach areas were repaired from the inside, using Trelleborg’s cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) lining technology, patch repair methods, and lateral connection repairs, without disrupting travellers or business operations.

“In another project in a dense forest with steep inclines, we helped repair a wastewater system without felling a single tree. This was due to a large extent, to Trelleborg’s epoxy resin system, which offers long pot times and quick curing times. This enabled teams to transport 76-metre (250 feet)-long sections of resin-impregnated Trelleborg liner down to the manholes by hand in large wheelbarrows.”

What type of liners do you have and where are they manufactured?

“As a system provider, we supply the entire rehabilitation and installation equipment for the underground construction market. We manufacture our liners on our own, in one of the most modern factories in Europe, according to strict quality criteria including ISO 9001 and 14001.

“Each liner is tailored to a specific application area. Whether you need to navigate multiple bends in small pipes inside a building, transition from one nominal width two steps up, i.e. from 4 to 6 inch, or need the highest mechanical properties with glass fibre reinforced felt, we have the solution. We also make liners to size, when customers have a project which requires a custom-made solution.”

What about resin systems?

“Our epoxy and silicate resins are the perfect match for our liners and glass fibre mats, offering the best mechanical properties after the curing process is complete.

“Our resins contain no VOCs or hazardous odours, making them pleasant to work with, even inside, and friendly for the environment.

“Depending on the temperature and desired working time, we provide resins that offer long pot times, quick curing resins, and accelerators when you want to use a slow curing resin in weather that has suddenly turned cold – making it extremely easy to use.

“You only need one type of liner and one resin system for the most common pipe sizes and applications. This minimises application errors and reduces the cost of stock and storage to the absolute minimum.

Why should pipe rehabilitation professionals choose Trelleborg solutions?

“Our solutions are safe: safe to work with and deliver excellent, long-lasting results that save you and your customers time and money!

“We are proud that Trelleborg’s Patch repair system was recently awarded top marks for absolute tightness – even in cases of heavy pipe damage. This system was assessed in a 10,000 hour test which confirmed another 50 years of lifetime.

“This is what we call “watertight solutions that last”.

For more information, please refer to the recently published test report by IKT (Institute for Underground Infrastructure) or download the resume: www.trelleborg.com/en/pipe-seals/resources/certificates

About Trelleborg
Trelleborg is a world leader in engineered polymer solutions that seal, damp and protect critical applications in demanding environments. Its innovative solutions accelerate performance for customers in a sustainable way. The Trelleborg Group has annual sales of about SEK 34 billion (EUR 3.32 billion, USD 3.92 billion) and operations in about 50 countries. The Group comprises five business areas: Trelleborg Coated Systems, Trelleborg Industrial Solutions, Trelleborg Offshore & Construction, Trelleborg Sealing Solutions and Trelleborg Wheel Systems. The Trelleborg share has been listed on the Stock Exchange since 1964 and is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm, Large Cap.