From the home and office to the factory and leisure centre, in virtually all areas of human activity, PVC is present. As one of the world's most versatile thermoplastics, with a wider range of uses than any other plastic material, such widespread use and acceptance is not surprising.
PVC is versatile, durable, hygienic, safe and cost-effective. As such, it has significant advantages over other materials. The global PVC industry over the years has experienced strong demand growth of apprx 5% per year. As economies of the world expand more PVC consumption is required to meet the demands of developing infrastructures. The world wide demand of PVC stands at apprx 35.3 million tons in 2007. It is expected that major growth in PVC usage will be seen in the Asian economies by 2012.
In Pakistan EPCL has started the manufacturing of quality PVC Resin in 1998 and since the very first day we have taken up the responsibility of developing and transforming the downstream manufacturers into quality manufactures so that quality PVC products must be available to the consumers.
So there was a requirement of long term vision & commitment of working with downstream manufacturers in the areas of quality up gradation and continuous improvement along with promoting the use and efficacy of PVC products to end users. The PVC industry in Pakistan has shown significant growth over the years mainly due to the efforts of EPCL.
The PVC industry in Pakistan is still not fully matured and holds a lot of potential for growth. Keeping in view the status of PVC industry and end user perception about PVC products, EPCL established the market development department with a clear cut focus on making the PVC Resin the most sustainable raw material in Pakistan for all applications.
EPCL acknowledges and involve all stake holders in promoting the PVC industry such as PVC product manufacturers, end consumers & auxiliary providers. We develop the PVC product manufacturers by developing them through their human resource & production facilities for producing high quality products. We also identify, develop and enhance knowledge base of our customers about new PVC applications and encourage them to venture in these new applications.
Market development department promotes the end PVC products & quality manufacturers through events like seminars, training workshops, presentations to relevant stakeholders such as opinion leaders & decision makers in govt/pvt water/housing bodies, NGO's, architects, consultants etc. All these activities are involving the PVC industry in enhancing the PVC market and image with EPCL playing the pivotal role.
EPCL SUCCESS STORIES PVC PIPES & FITTINGS IN PAKISTAN:
In Pakistan, the first indigenous large water supply pipe line was commissioned in 1968. Today, PVC pipes are usually made in diameters with size ranges from 1/2" to 20" in various standards (production capability for 24" diameter pipes under development). PVC pipes constitute almost 50-55% of the total PVC resin consumption in Pakistan.
The PVC pipe industry boasts of having almost 300 pipe manufacturers across Pakistan. Due to continuous market development efforts of EPCL the demand of PVC pipes has surged from 50,000 MT/yr to 103,000 MT / yrs showing the growth of 106% in 5 years. The growth in pipe sector has exploded in the past couple of years due to rise in the activities of the construction sector. Just last year the growth in pipe sector was recorded at 20%.
THE GROWTH IS DUE TO THE INCREASE IN USE BY:
-- Government water bodies - usage of Pressure pipes upto 20"
-- Construction & Housing sector - pressure/non pressure pipes upto 6"
-- Construction & telecom sector - PVC conduits upto 4"
With the boost in the manufacturing capabilities of local PVC pipe manufacturers the PVC fittings industry also flourished. Initially, PVC fittings were mainly imported from Middle East & China. With the growth in the PVC pipe sector the fitting manufacturers also grew from 1 manufacturer in 1999 to 20 manufacturers in 2007. The number of fitting manufacturers is still growing in Pakistan along with the manufacturing capabilities. Currently, fittings are produced in size ranges from 1/2" to 6".
ROLE OF EPCL IN AGRICULTURE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT:
Irrigation is the lifeblood for Pakistan's agriculture. With the rapid increase in population as well as urbanisation, it is estimated that Pakistan will face severe water shortage in the next 25 years due to increase use in household consumption and industrial use.
It is estimated that the population of the country would rise to 175 million by the year 2010 & with the current land and water availability situation; it will not be possible to fulfil the food requirement of the country. In order to become self-reliant in fulfilling the food requirements of the nation, not only the cultivated land areas has to be increased but the availability of water will also have to be ensured. Therefore, this underscores the need to save every drop of water by our nation especially in agriculture sector and educating the farmers to conserve & effectively use the currently available water.
MICRO IRRIGATION SYSTEMS FOR AGRICULTURE SECTOR:
Micro Irrigation systems, is a tool for the farmers to save precious water and enhance productivity. Micro-Irrigation systems were introduced more than 50 years ago, in order to cope with the problems the farmers faced in irrigating their own crops, caused by lack of water resources, low rain fall, dry desert soil, high levels of soil salinity and extremely hot summer. Micro-Irrigation systems quickly became the mainstay of Israeli agriculture and rapidly spread allover the globe including those countries like USA, Egypt, India, Thailand & Srilanka, where the crop productivity increased due to the system usage.
Keeping in view the similar water scarcity conditions in Pakistan & the success stories of Micro Irrigation System all over the globe, EPCL decided to introduce these technologies in Pakistan as part of their market development efforts.
EPCL role entails the development of complete indigenous & cost effective systems, promotion of these systems, ensuring the supply of these systems by developing local players for the sales & marketing of these systems all across Pakistan.
In this regard completely indigenous Micro Irrigation systems have been developed & promoted in collaboration with EPCL PVC resin customers under "Aabyari" brand name. Through these companies, EPCL is ensuring availability of Micro Irrigation systems all across Pakistan. The Aabyari model has proved to be very successful as so far EPCL has developed 3 players and have installed Micro Irrigation systems on 1,000 acres across Pakistan.
Besides developing the Aabyari players for the sales & promotion of Micro Irrigation systems, EPCL market development department imparts trainings to manufacturers & end consumers human resource on developing and effectively running the appropriate systems on various applications. Also, EPCL has set up numerous "Micro Irrigation System Demonstration Farms" all across Pakistan over the years in order to depict the efficacy of the drip irrigations systems to the farmers through enhanced crop quality, yield per acre as well as saving precious water.
Due to the focused approach of EPCL in promoting water conservation technologies, the Government of Pakistan (GoP) has now initiated numerous pilot projects for the installation of Micro Irrigation systems in Pakistan; these projects are covering approximately 5,000 acres. On the same line GoP has now initiated a project aimed to cover 291,249 acres with High Efficiency Irrigation system. These projects are just the tip of the iceberg & will be the starting point for the sustainability of agriculture sector in Pakistan in coming years.
PVC GEOMEMBRANE:
Since 1950, PVC Geomembrane has been extensively used globally for water conservation. Furthermore, PVC Geomembrane is also used in the Construction Industry for water proofing purposes.
In Pakistan a colossal amount of more than 40% of total available water is lost due to various reasons such as seepage in canals, water courses and field channels etc. For our existing irrigation system this is a huge loss as we are already facing shortage of water and declining water table. Unlined or poorly lined water conveyance channels cause inadequate water supply to the crops thus reducing the crop yield. Water scarcity also reduces the cultivable area thus limiting the quantum of agri produce.
EPCL introduced PVC Geomembrane as an effective and long lasting impervious barrier against loss of water through seepage other then that it is also used extensively in roofs, floors, reservoirs and ponds linings etc.
EPCL plays a vital role in developing and promoting the geomembrane to all the stake holders. PVC Geomembrane is manufactured by the local downstream industry with EPCL's technical support & guidance. EPCL has also developed number of local players for the installation of geomembrane at project sites.
Continuous efforts have been done by EPCL for the promotion of its efficacy in various govt/public organisations & opinion leaders resulting in its inclusion in various projects such as Hub Canal Lining, water courses on various locations & pond linings in golf courses to name the few.
FUTURE PROSPECTS:
Future of PVC looks radiant as ever with new applications being introduced in Pakistan over the next couple of years. Some of the recent projects on which EPCL is currently working are:
1. PVC DOORS AND WINDOWS PROFILES:
The growing popularity of vinyl over traditional material types such as, wood, aluminium, steel, is evidenced by the changing end-user preferences the world over. Vinyl doors and windows market is witnessing healthy growth worldwide, driven largely by the unique and highly functional properties of vinyl as a raw material. Growth in the world market is governed by key economic variables such as, GDP growth, increase in personal income, and level of industrialisation, among others. Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East are regions predicted to offer the highest growth potential. China, within Asia, is emerging as the key potential driver for the vinyl doors market, given the fact that the country houses the world's most lucrative construction Industry.
In Europe, PVC (vinyl) as the preferred material for doors and window frames rakes in a market share of approximately 40%. In Germany, France and Austria the percentage is close to 51%.
Keeping the global trend in construction sector in mind EPCL started working on introducing the PVC based doors and windows in Pakistan. In this regard, major efforts have been taken by the market development team to develop players for the manufacturing and promotion of PVC doors and windows in coming years.
DOUBLE WALLED CORRUGATED PIPES (DWC) PIPES:
DWC pipes are extensively used globally for non pressure applications especially in sewer applications. In Pakistan till date conventional materials such as MS, GI, CI, AC/FC pipes are used for sewer applications.
This sector holds great potential for PVC DWC pipes and EPCL has been working for creating awareness and players for this application for quite some time now. Due to EPCL efforts progress is under way for developing the first DWC manufacturing site in Pakistan and the product will be commercially available in 1st quarter 2008.