Drinking water pressure pipes made from chemically recycled plastic installed in Vienna, Austria

BorcycleTM C grades a drop-in solution for even the most demanding applications such as drinking water pressure pipes. — Borcycle^TM C grades a drop-in solution for even the most demanding applications such as drinking water pressure pipes. © Borealis

Drinking water pressure pipes made from chemically recycled plastic were installed in Vienna, Austria, during June 2024
The initiative is the result of an all-Austrian value chain collaboration between Borealis, Pipelife, a solution brand of wienerberger, and Wiener Wasser in the spirit of EverMinds™
The pipe polyolefin material is based on Borealis’ transformational Borcycle™ C chemical recycling technology

Borealis is pleased to announce the success of a value chain collaboration to develop a chemically recycled drinking water pressure pipe. Around 660 meters of polyethylene PE100-RC (crack resistant) drinking water pressure pipes based on Borealis’ transformational technology platform Borcycle^TM C are being laid in Vienna, marking a significant step forward on the path to a circular economy. The installation is the result of a pilot project to help Wiener Wasser (the Vienna Water Department), increase the sustainability of its operations.

The groundbreaking initiative is the outcome of an all-Austrian partnership between Borealis, Pipelife, a solution brand of wienerberger, and Wiener Wasser—a collaboration carried out in the spirit of Everminds^TM, Borealis’ platform to accelerate the transition to a circular economy for plastics.

Creating drinking water pressure pipes from recycled plastic posed a significant challenge due to the high purity and quality requirements of materials used in sensitive and demanding applications. The breakthrough was made possible by Borcycle C technology, with which polyolefin-based waste is chemically recycled into new, virgin-quality plastics that are capable of meeting stringent performance standards. Mechanically recycled polyethylene and polypropylene do not yet meet the standards required for pressure pipe applications.

The specific grade, BorSafe™ Bc HE3490-LS-H-90, contains over 90% chemically recycled content, based on a mass balance allocation. This enabled the project partners to avoid a lengthy revalidation and reapproval process. The integrity of the approach is verified by ISCC PLUS certification (International Sustainability & Carbon Certification), which covers the entire supply chain, from raw material to final product, guaranteeing compliance with strict sustainability standards.

“This is an excellent example of how our infrastructure pipe solutions are enabling life’s essentials,” states John Webster, Borealis Global Commercial Director Infrastructure. “We have a long track record of providing innovative and advanced pipe solutions for the global infrastructure industry. In expanding our offering to include more sustainable solutions, we’re pleased to continue this legacy.”

The project also leverages the considerable experience of Pipelife, an international manufacturer of piping solutions, which is part of wienerberger, one of the leading providers of innovative, ecological solutions for the entire building envelope in the areas of new buildings and renovations, as well as infrastructure in water and energy management. As manufacturers of the PE100-RC drinking water pressure pipes, Pipelife benefitted from the fact that Borcycle C grades are a drop-in solution, processable on existing equipment. The sustainable, leak-tight PE pipes have an expected lifespan of over 100 years, helping to mitigate the global water shortage.

“We aim to support our customers by anticipating their future needs and developing processes and products to meet them,” says Zoran Davidovski, Pipelife Head of Research & Development and Sustainability. “Integrating chemically recycled materials into our product range is a perfect example of this, and also aligns with our own commitment to advancing sustainability.”

This pilot project is intended to pave the way for future collaborations between the partners, confirming Austria’s position as a leader in sustainable innovation.