When it was recently announced that Nicklas Björnvind, CEO of Inpipe, acquired the company from Danish group Arkil Holding A/S, it was also revealed that the company would in the Spring of 2021, launch the world’s first fiberglass reinforced liner that was free from both styrene and Bisphenol A, Inpipe Freeliner.
“Inpipe liners manufactured to date, use a styrene-based polyester. However, there is a polyester on the market that is free from styrene but which is based on Bisphenol A. The new polyester that will be used for the Inpipe Freeliner is free from both styrene and Bisphenol A. This is the next step in Inpipe’s environmental thinking and something that has been requested by the market for a long time. Inpipe Freeliner will be an important cornerstone of our expansion plan.” said Nicklas Björnvind.
With the new Inpipe Freeliner product, Nicklas expects to significantly strengthen Inpipe’s market share saying: “For a long time such an environmentally-friendly liner has been requested by both installers and stakeholders being as styrene is a priority risk reduction substance and Bisphenol A is a phase-out substance. With Inpipe Freeliner, we will be able to help our customers fulfill this.”
First In The World
The fact that the market can now be offered a styrene and Bisphenol A-free liner is the fruit of a focused environmental mindset for many years.
“There are products that are styrene free on the market, but where the styrene has been replaced by Bisphenol A. Until now, there have been no liners without these substances, but that is what we are going to launch.” said Nicklas. “Inpipe Freeliner will function as with previous products in terms of fields of application and installation. We will make sure that everyone who wants to buy can do so. We are not going to exclude anyone.”
The installation itself is completed in the same way as previous liners and curing is achieved with UV light.
“The product is tested and designed for 50+ years of strength. The only difference from before is if the installer cuts or handles the liner in any way, this product basically smells nothing.” said Nicklas
BASTA Registered
Inpipe’s supplier of polyester is behind the new product, but how it was achieved is still to be kept secret.
“It is a patented basic structure and I think it will be a while before we see similar products on the market.” said Nicklas. To ensure quality, the product has been BASTA registered. A BASTA registered product is a guarantee for a safe and non-toxic choice of materials in the building materials market, in Sweden.
“BASTA has three criteria; Basta, Beta and Risk Assessed. Our new liner falls into the Basta category. This means that the product has the highest environmental class you can have. Environmental thinking has been the driving factor for Inpipe for a long time. First by reducing carbon dioxide emissions, as shaft-free methods do, then by working with UV curing that uses a small amount of energy for a short time.” said Nicklas. “This is the next step. I think we owe it to future generations to think about what we use and how we treat our environment.”
Inpipe Freeliner will be available as a standard liner for ordinary round pipes, but also as Flexliner for pipes with varying dimensions. “All installers on the market will be offered the product. We primarily look at the Nordic market, which is our primary home market. But, our customers are all over Europe and they will also be offered the same product as we comply with local regulations in individual countries.” commented Nicklas.
Ambition To Grow
“Inpipe’s ambition, according to Nicklas is to continue to grow. The short-term goal is to double sales by 2023 and if successful, it will automatically require more employees.” said Nicklas. The conditions for making the company grow are good. The products are of high quality, as is production. When he now becomes sole owner through his holding company, the possibilities are numerous. Website: www.inpipe.se
