Developing energy-economical buildings is one of the construction industry's most important objectives both in Finland and abroad. The Ecoflex system, which is part of the Uponor Group, is known for its development of the general philosophy of insulated pipes and heating and for low-energy applications. The company is actively involved in creating international quality requirements and standards in the sector.

Uponor, which specializes in producing plastic piping systems used in construction and municipal engineering, offers solutions that are suited to wherever cold and hot water and heat are transmitted. The products can also be applied to transmitting telecommunications and various industrial needs.

Ecoflex is a forerunner in the launching of plastic piping systems as a material for low-energy heating networks. "We're a key co-partner in a four-year project aiming to produce European guidelines and recommendations for the use of low-energy and energy-economical engineering solutions and building methods from planning to implementation," says Ville Ruohio, the head of the unit.

The guidelines are being awaited with special interest in eastern European countries, where they have recently undertaken the repair of heating networks that are in an extremely bad condition, losing large amounts of heating, up to double figures in percentage terms. As the energy-economical way of thinking expands, the demand for low energy applications will accelerate.

The aim - no faults

All Uponor's operations follow the demands of the ISO 9001 and ISO 14000 quality systems. "Our products meet and in many cases exceed all the standard requirements associated with them. The aim is to reach no faults both in the products and operations," says director Jari Kinnunen.

One of the most important values for customers is reliability that the products and operations will be of first-class quality. The aim is the constant development of new solutions that save raw materials and energy in the production process but are also beneficial and long-term for the environment. For example, more than 95 per cent of the waste generated in the production is recycled.

The working life of Uponor products is 3 to 5 times longer than the traditional metal solutions, a fact that reduces replacement and maintenance costs. For some systems a working life of up to 100 years is promised.

The energy and environmental perspective is prominent in all the products, such as the Ecoflex Supra product family, which is the leading system in non-freezing cold-water pipes. The 'self-thinking' heating cable brings the energy needed, so that the water will also run in very cold conditions. The solution reduces detrimental effects on the environment in, for example, applications where otherwise it would be necessary to dig or quarry pipes under the soil frost and even destroy natural areas such as beaches or national parks. Digging work in yards can also be minimized in buildings that are being repaired.

>> www.uponor.fi

The working life of products made by Uponor, which specializes in plastic-pipe systems, is 3 to 5 times longer than the traditional metal solutions.


Thanks to the Ecoflex system digging work in yards can be minimized when buildings are being repaired.