Even though SAPPMA (South African Plastic Pipe Manufacturers Association) was only launched about 18 months ago, it is now, without a doubt, the official mouthpiece of the plastic pipe industry with representation of more than 85% in volume terms.

The scope of the association is much wider than mere product quality, but this, together with integrity, remains at the top of priorities. Differentiation between responsible manufacturers and others is strongly emphasized with decision makers in the market. Pipes produced by member companies are clearly identifiable with the SAPPMA logo and the major benefit of these additional measures is starting to be recognized by design engineers and the like, with more and more tender documents now specifying membership of SAPPMA as a requirement.

The importance of the availability of design information without any commercial interests has been expressed by consulting engineers for some time now and for this reason a technical manual is currently being produced. This will become available early in 2006 and will be a first for the industry. With the feedback and input of the target market, this document will form a solid base for future additions in order to remain relevant and useful in the technical design field.

Some of the other initiatives undertaken by SAPPMA include the assistance of end-users in compiling adequate product standards, the starting of a statistical data base for the plastic pipe industry, rationalization of polymer index figures to be used in escalation calculations, important interaction with the SABS, the formulation of a policy relative to the removal of potentially harmful substances from products, participation in the drive towards a standard specification for all buried pipelines, and others.

SAPPMA has the full cooperation of various bodies such as the SAACE, SAICE and IMIESA, with electronic links existing between these websites.

For further information contact Jan Venter Pr.Eng., CEO SAPPMA.

Contact details:
www.sappma.co.za
janventer@3gi.co.za
Mobile 082-553 9705