The ten most frequently asked questions and answers are presented below. If your question is not addressed here, please Email an enquiry and the PBPSA will be delighted to respond.


1. For how long have pipe and fitting products made from Polybutene-1 been used in plumbing applications?

Polybutene-1 has been successfully used for almost 40 years in heating pipe applications and for 25 years in potable water applications. For more information visit the Environmental Considerations section of the site and click on Sustainability



2. Is Polybutene-1 the same product as Polybutylene?

The answer is yes, Polybutene-1 is often referred to as PB, PB-1 or Polybutylene. Polybutene-1, however, is chemically a more accurate way of describing the raw material. The name Polybutylene was commonly used in the United States, but in Europe some confusion arose with another material called Polyisobutylene, which also was often referred to as Polybutylene. Consequently the supplier, Basell, decided to refer to Polybutene-1 by its chemically accurate name. Polyisobutylene is in fact used in the manufacture of chewing gum! An explanation of the isomeric forms of the butene molecule is provided in the Raw Material section of the Technical Library.



3. If Polybutene-1 is not new, why is it not used more widely in the pipe and fittings business?

Until Basell, a world leader in the manufacture of polyolefins, entered the Polybutene-1 business, the availability of raw material was limited to one 30,000 tonne/annum plant in the United States and a small production capacity in Japan. In 2003, Basell commissioned a 45,000 tonne plant in The Netherlands and this commitment to manufacturing development has stimulated the producers of piping systems t expand their markets. In addition, Basell’s global marketing network has led to the development of new piping systems markets. Basell’s plans to expand manufacturing capacity to support this global interest are already well established.



4. Who is the main producer of Polybutene-1 raw material?

Basell is by far the world’s largest producer of Polybutene-1. In 2003 Basell commissioned a 45,000 tonne polymerisation plant in The Netherlands. Basell’s commitment to manufacturing developments has stimulated the producers of piping systems to expand the applicational scope of Polybutene-1 products. Plans to expand manufacturing capacity are already well advanced.



5. How quickly is the Polybutene-1 pipe and fittings market growing?

We feel it is only a matter of time before thermoplastic products substitute traditional materials like copper and steel in the heating and plumbing pipe market. The process is evolutionary - copper replaced lead in the 1950s, and now plastic materials are providing viable alternatives to copper. This evolution is taking place at different rates in different countries. In Switzerland, plastics penetration is approaching 80%, whereas in France it is less than 20%, and taking Europe as a whole, 50% of the market is still available for substitution, with Polybutene-1 recognised as technically the preferred material of choice. Our growth expectations for the Polybutene-1 pipe and fittings market are therefore high.



6. Is it true that in the mid-90s, Shell was sued for failures in Polybutene-1 piping systems in the US?

Yes, Shell was forced to spend a great deal of money defending itself against claims alleging defects in Polybutene-1 plumbing systems. The complaints, to the extent that they were valid at all, centred almost entirely around products made from plastics other than Polybutene-1, produced by other raw material suppliers for the manufacture of pipe fittings. These other companies were co-defendants with Shell in this litigation. No such experiences of failure have occurred in the almost 50 years that Polybutene-1 plumbing products have been used in Europe. The PBPSA believes that properly manufactured and installed pipe and fittings made from its Polybutene-1 pipe grades will meet all appropriate national and international standards and will prove to be excellent plumbing products. Nevertheless, in view of the outcome of the US litigation process against Shell and it's co-defendants, PBPSA members have taken the decision not to sell their Polybutene-1 piping systems products into the North American market.



7. How easy is it to install Polybutene-1 plumbing systems?

In some markets, Polybutene-1 piping is known as 'the plumber's flexible friend'. Its flexibility combined with excellent pressure resistance at high temperatures make it very easy to work with. This, together with the development of new jointing systems applicable to plastics products, provides distinct installation advantages over traditional materials.



8. Are Polybutene-1 piping systems as hygienic as traditional metal products?

We would argue that Polybutene-1 systems are hygienically superior to traditional metal products. Corrosion in metal pipes releases chemical products of corrosion into the water supply. Polybutene-1 does not corrode. No fluxes, greases or solder are used when installing Polybutene-1 systems. The additives, such as antioxidants and pigments used in the manufacture of Polybutene-1 pipe grade material, are approved for use in contact with foodstuffs. Polybutene-1 piping systems therefore have excellent hygienic properties.



9. Where can I get more information about the comparative cost of Polybutene-1 piping systems?

Polybutene-1 piping systems are competitively priced and should provide economies for the installer in terms of ease of installation and labour costs. For specific information however, it will be necessary to contact the manufacturers of the various systems. Visit the Links page of this site, where you will be able to link directly to any of the PBPSA members' sites to obtain help with enquiries on cost and installation practice.



10. I've been using copper pipe and fittings all my life. Why should I change?

Sometimes it is difficult to recognise the benefits of change. There is no doubt that copper plumbing was the material of choice for several decades. Plumbers in the 1950s were loath to change from sweating lead joints, however we are now in the era of plastics, which are versatile materials and offer new solutions and advantages in many fields. We hope we have been able to present in this web site the distinct advantages which Polybutene-1 plumbing systems offer in both heating and potable water supply systems. The choice is yours - but don't be left out in the cold!