The Southern African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association (SAPPMA), has once again highlighted the importance of maintaining high standards in the manufacturing of thermoplastic pipes.
The purpose or mission of SAPPMA is to create absolute customer confidence in the plastics pipe industry, thereby ensuring long term sustainability and dynamic growth in this all-important industry. To this end, it is voluntary, self-regulating, non-profit association that represents approximately 80% of the plastic pipe manufacturers and other stakeholders in the southern African plastic pipe industry. Membership comprises most of the major players in Southern Africa, and the SAPPMA brand is recognized by design engineers and customers as an additional safeguard against poor quality products.
“Plastic piping is used across the complete spectrum of many industries, including mining, civil, irrigation, industrial, telecommunication, and building. Around 150,000 tons of pipe (PVC and HDPE) are produced annually in South Africa, representing many thousands of kilometers,” says Jan Venter, CEO of SAPPMA. “Plastic piping networks form an integral, expensive, long term, and extremely important part of the infrastructure of this country. The integrity of these networks, built up over many years, is of critical importance, serving the water supply and sewage disposal needs of many millions of people. This clearly highlights the need for a responsible, ethical, and quality-conscious industry”.
Venter explains that SAPPMA is not in competition with any accredited certification organization, but plays a crucial coordinating role between all stakeholders in this industry. Its sole focus is on a relatively small (but crucially important) sector of industry, and it is in a unique position to detect problems much earlier than any other organization. In addition, SAPPMA monitors its own members in terms of product quality and full adherence to all relevant national standards. This ensures that SAPPMA members meet the association’s high standards that are based on international best practice and stipulated in its Code of Conduct.
“Plastic is clearly no longer an alternative pipe material, but has grown to a dominant position in piping systems worldwide, with an estimated share of more than 50%. Independent market surveys in South Africa indicate similar dominance in sizes up to 1,000mm diameter,” Venter explains.
“South Africa is a dry country, and water is increasingly becoming a scarce resource. With demand for clean drinking water and inconsistent rainfall, we can no longer afford the huge losses in pipelines (estimated to be of the order of 40%). The need is for piping systems that are leak-free and durable for extended lifetimes, up to 100 years. HDPE and PVC pipes answer this call with distinction. In addition, they are highly suitable for the rehabilitation of old pipelines,” Venter expounds.
SAPPMA’s approach is based on international best practice and motivated by continuous improvement. Independent and unannounced factory audits are frequently done and samples tested to ensure that the association’s members continue to meet the high standards specified. Venter admits that this is a rigorous process, but adds that it that ensures that SAPPMA members are committed to delivering the highest quality products and services.
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Why is the environment important to human kind? The environment is important to human kind because it provides us with the basic necessities of life such as air, water, food and shelter. It also has a direct impact on our physical and mental well-being, as it provides places for recreation and relaxation, and can help to reduce stress. Furthermore, the environment contributes to the overall quality of life, as it helps to regulate the climate, and can affect the health of our economy and communities. Finally, the environment is essential for sustaining the biodiversity of our planet, which is essential for the survival of many species, including humans.
Three examples of how the environment affects human activities?
- Climate Change: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and overfishing are all contributing to global climate change. Climate change has been linked to a range of impacts, from more extreme weather patterns to sea level rise and disruption of food production.
- Air Pollution: Human activities such as burning fossil fuels for energy production, transportation, and industrial processes are a major source of air pollution. This air pollution can cause respiratory problems, acid rain, and crop damage.
- Water Pollution: Human activities such as dumping waste into bodies of water, agricultural runoff, and oil spills can lead to water pollution. This pollution can cause algal blooms, contamination of drinking water, and destruction of aquatic ecosystems.
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