RAUVIPEX is made using REHAU’s well-established PE-Xa carrier pipes, known for their durability over the past 45 years. This is paired with newly developed fine-pored PUR foam, enhancing insulation performance and bending elasticity.
The added flexibility of RAUVIPEX simplifies installation, reducing bending forces and speeding up construction times. The pipework’s robust outer jacket, featuring U-shaped wave crests and thick walls, ensures a system that is both flexible and durable.
A longitudinal water barrier offers protection against moisture penetration, even if the outer jacket is damaged. This barrier is welded all around, providing defence against water ingress into the pipe insulation.
Quickly and easily rolled out
“Years of experience in district heating projects and feedback from our customers has gone into developing RAUVIPEX. This is why we have focused on improving the bending forces and durability through an all-new design for this pre-insulated pipe,” begins Steve Richmond, head of marketing and technical at REHAU Building Solutions.
“This means it can be quickly and easily rolled out for large district heating projects, making the transition to more sustainable heating achievable in much shorter timescales.”
In an effort to improve ease of transportation, RAUVIPEX will be available in 2.4m coils as standard. This change enables the pipework to be transported via standard HGVs, reducing carbon emissions before reaching the site. Project-specific coil lengths can be produced in coils of up to 2.8m wide and 1.6m long if required.
RAUVIPEX is part of REHAU’s integrated district heating system, which includes the EVERLOC compression sleeve jointing system, used over 1 billion times globally. The innovative Clip-Flex district heating shroud, launched in 2023, supports angle deviations of up to 22.5° in every direction. Together, these components offer greater flexibility and security in heat network design.
Steve concluded: “RAUVIPEX’s design is intended to help accelerate the uptake of greener technologies – quick and easy to install, and reliable for decades to come once in the ground.
“We strongly believe that innovations such as this will be key to decarbonising the nation’s heating, and we look forward to working with our customers on their upcoming projects.”
Image: REHAU