With Utility Week Live just days away, we run through everything specifiers and other industry experts need to know about a sustainable and durable material.
What are vitrified clay pipes?
Vitrified clay pipes are made solely from natural materials like clay, chamotte, and water, which are fired at high temperatures, causing the clay to vitrify. This process gives the pipe exceptional durability, density and resistance to corrosion without using additional chemicals or coatings. Vitrified clay pipes have been used in gravity sanitary sewer collection mains for thousands of years and still provide a reliable solution for urban and brownfield sites.
The benefits of vitrified clay pipes for sewage systems
Extreme longevity and durability
Vitrified clay doesn’t corrode, degrade or lose strength over time. Vitrified clay pipes can outlive the infrastructure around them, with lifespans exceeding 150 years in many cases. If you’re aiming for sustainable and long-term value, vitrified clay pipes offer a very good solution.
Chemical resistance
Underground vitrified clay pipes are naturally resistant to most aggressive chemicals found in wastewater, including acids and hydrogen sulphide commonly in sewer networks. This is particularly important in industrial zones or in environments where aggressive substances are present.
Zero plastic leaching
In an era where environmental sustainability is under the microscope, vitrified clay pipes offer an environmentally conscious and sustainable choice. Since vitrified clay pipes do not contain any harmful substances and are solely made of natural resources, they can be left in the ground without fear of polluting the surroundings.
Sustainable solutions
More now than ever, sustainability and the circular economy are at the core of modern infrastructure. Sustainable vitrified clay pipes are 100% recyclable and enter the production cycle as a valuable raw material. Since these pipes do not degrade, they can even be reused in specific cases, minimising the environmental impact and avoiding waste in the process.
Steinzeug-Keramo clay pipes contain a minimum of 30% recycled content, making it a pioneering product in terms of circular economy.
High structural strength
Vitrified clay pipes offer exceptional load-bearing capacity, making them ideal for urban environments where heavy traffic and ongoing construction are common. Their strength enables them to withstand static and dynamic loads, making them suitable for everything from shallow installations to deep sewer systems.
Easy maintenance
Vitrified clay pipe sewer systems are appealing to the UK market as they require less frequent maintenance, repair and replacement, thanks to their robustness. This means lower operational costs for managing drainage systems. With a smooth interior surface, vitrified clay systems also reduce the likelihood of blockages and minimise friction.
Why you should attend Utility Week Live
At Utility Week Live, taking place on 20th and 21st May at NEC Birmingham, visitors will have the opportunity to explore underground wastewater pipes firsthand and speak directly with experts about how vitrified clay pipes can be applied in both open trench or pipe jacking methods. Learn how these solutions for sewage disposal can be integrated into new infrastructure projects or sewer renovations.
Whether you’re dealing with complex infrastructure renovations or planning new developments, having access to the right technical knowledge makes all the difference when looking for wastewater pipework and sustainable urban drainage systems. At Utility Week Live, drainage and sewer specialists and vitrified clay pipe product advisors at Steinzeug-Keramo will be on hand to answer questions, provide guidance and help you find the best solutions for your project needs.
Leon Woods is Country Manager UK at Steinzeug Keramo.
Image: Steinzeug Keramo
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