Molecor SEA aims to reduce non-revenue water in Malaysia

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The official opening of Molecor SEA’s PVC-O pipe manufacturing plant in Gebeng, Pahang was officiated by Jayakumar (centre). Also present were (from left) Ministry of Water, Land and Natural Resources’ secretary-general Datuk Zurina Pawanteh, Molecor Tecnologia Spain chief executive officer Ignacio Munoz, Molecor SEA chairman Datuk Ir Low Keng Kok and Wong.

KUCHING: Fitters Diversified Bhd’s (Fitters) subsidiary Molecor (SEA) Sdn Bhd (Molecor SEA) aims for its HYPRO Oriented PVC pipes to help the government in reducing Malaysia’s non-revenue water (NRW) in a cost effective way, backed by the pipes’ merits of 50-year durability and ease of installation.

The Minister of Water, Land, and Natural Resources, Dr Xavier Jayakumar officiated on Monday the opening ceremony of Molecor SEA’s RM120 million state-of-the-art HYPRO PVC-O pipes manufacturing plant in Gebeng, Pahang.

Molecor SEA started its operations in Gebeng in 2015 to manufacture and distribute HYPRO PVC-O pipes in Malaysia and South East Asia with Molecor Tecnologia Spain as the principal and technology partner.

Molecor Tecnologia Spain is the world leader in the research and development of molecular orientation using air system to produce high quality and reliable PVC-O products for conveyance of water under pressure.

“Our HYPRO PVC-O pipes have garnered a strong track record across ten states in Malaysia, with over 450 kilometres (km) of pipes installed to date and growing.

“We attribute such successes to our pipes’ superior quality, suitability for use in wide-ranging operating conditions, cost savings, and ease of installation,” said Fitters managing director Datuk Richard Wong said.

“We have also earned the confidence and approvals of key authorities in the water sector such as Suruhanjaya Perkhidmatan Air Negara (SPAN), Pengurusan Aset Air Bhd (PAAB), Ranhill SAJ, Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan (SAINS), Air Selangor, Air Kelantan (AKSB).

“Our pipes are now approved and used in most states in Malaysia, and we look forward to securing wider acceptance for HYPRO PVC-O pipes as the pipes of choice in the near term.

“Going forward, we are confident that HYPRO PVC-O pipes will play an increasingly important role in supporting the nation’s water infrastructure. There is also a significant opportunity to reduce the nation’s NRW issue by replacing over 40,000 km of ageing asbestos-cement pipes that are prone to leakages.”

HYPRO PVC-O pipes have higher impact resistance and longer design lifespan of up to 50 years, compared to the 30-year lifespan of conventional pipes. HYPRO PVC-O pipes are also resistant to corrosion and natural chemical substances, providing superior structural strength; and are much lighter than conventional pipes resulting in cost savings in handling as well as easier and speedier installation.

The HYPRO PVC-O pipe manufacturing plant is equipped with three production lines with annual capacity of 11,000 metric tonnes (MT) or equivalent to 3,000 kilometres (km) of pipes. The plant is capable of producing pipes with 16 and 25 bar pressure rating with sizes ranging from 90 millimetres (mm) to 630 mm in diameter.

HYPRO PVC-O pipes are certified with ISO 16422:2014, which specifies the requirements of pipes and joints made of PVC-O. Molecor SEA’s pipes have also been awarded the ISO 9001:2015 quality management certification, as well as the SIRIM Eco-Label 054:2016 and GreenTech MY Hijau accreditations which recognises HYPRO PV-O pipes as an environmentally-friendly product.

Commenting on the prospects of the HYPRO PVC-O pipes manufacturing division of FITTERS, Wong said that the unit is expected to secure strong sales and post a turnaround performance in 2019.

“Guided by the encouraging response from our customers and industry players, we are expecting sizeable orders for our HYPRO PVC-O pipes in 2019. This promising demand outlook is in light of PAAB’s ongoing efforts to restructure the water sector, to ensure clean and uninterrupted supply of water to households.”

“These orders are set to boost the division’s performance and put it on course for a turnaround in 2019.”