7 minute read
Robust steel pipeline solution provides solutions for life
After more than 140 years as an Australian steel pipe manufacturer, Steel Mains is the country's premier supplier of pipeline systems, with a consistent history of involvement in large-scale major pipeline projects and a relationship with all major water authorities spanning many decades.
Founded in 1878 in Australia, Steel Mains provides the highest quality steel pipeline systems to the most exacting and challenging specifications offering a long-life solution, since they are designed to tolerate harsh conditions.
Over this time, Steel Mains and its forerunner named companies, have been a part of just about every major water infrastructure project in Australia.
The company has been involved in projects such as the SEQ Water Grid, which provides a sustainable water infrastructure network for South East Queensland (334 km of DN800 – DN1400 rubber ring-joint and welded steel pipe and fittings), the Victorian Desalination Pipeline, which is one of the world’s largest Public Private Partnership projects (84 km x DN1900 welded steel pipe and fittings). The comapny was also involved in the Wentworth to Broken Hill Pipeline (264 km x DN750 rubber ring joint steel pipe and fittings), which is one of the most significant infrastructure initiatives undertaken by WaterNSW and the NSW Government.
Steel Mains’ team has completed hundreds of infrastructure projects for regional water authorities, with its highly experienced manufacturing and engineering professionals providing the highest quality products and services that will remain part of Australian infrastructure for many generations to come.
Today, Steel Mains’ products and services cover a range of industry needs both within Australia and
Melbourne Water M40 pipeline. select export markets, delivering quality, strength, durability, and endurance.
The demand for good quality water infrastructure, in conjunction with a rising population, continues to grow. Coupled with increased public awareness of potable water quality requirements, there is a need for greater conservation efforts and more stringent manufacturing and environmental regulations. Steel Mains remains at the forefront of innovation, moving ahead with these changing requirements.
No matter the size or complexity of the project, the one thing Steel Mains’ clients are never concerned about is the overall long-term quality performance of Steel Mains’ SINTAKOTE Steel Pipeline System, which is why the company has remained in the market for so long as a steel pipe manufacturer.
Steel Mains as a local manufacturer specialising in large-scale projects
Steel Mains is the most experienced manufacturer of engineered water transmission systems in Australia with unmatched capabilities. Unlike most suppliers, Steel Mains products are not off-the-shelf, hence the company has embraced and tackled bespoke project-specific challenges for over a century, offering products made from Australian steel and custom-built to specific project requirements. Steel Mains custom manufactures each system to maximise the specific project goals. There is no one-size or product-fits-all mentality.
Steel Mains has over 70,000 tonnes of annual capacity to support project owners and contractors across the whole country through three world-class pipe production mills well positioned across Australia located in Somerton, VIC and Kwinana, WA. The company provides regional sales staff across the country who understand and provide knowledge of local conditions.
“Being a local manufacturer, Steel Mains offers one of the fastest lead times possible. Using Australian steel allows the company to commence a project within four to six weeks of the placement of an order. When compared to alternative imported materials, this presents an exceptional lead time and is of major benefit to our clients as we are wellequipped to deliver pipes on time or ahead of schedule,” says Steel Mains CEO Dean Connell.
“We remain highly focused on innovation and efficiency within our business. Over the years, we’ve held and continue to hold several patents enabling us to increase our manufacturing efficiency and productivity to maintain our relevance and market position. To be a market leader takes customer focus and a commitment to continuous improvement, investment, and product and process innovation. We have continued with this proud history of invention and innovation by further enhancing our unique coating and jointing processes and we remain focused on a continuous extension of this legacy.”
SINTAKOTE is a factory applied external fusion bonded polyethylene coating proven to provide superior external corrosion protection in almost all operating environments. SINTAKOTE is recognised by the water industry as the premium corrosion protection system for steel water pipelines providing leak-proof performance in all environments. It is also widely specified in marine piling applications and can be installed above or below ground.
SINTAKOTE is a protective barrier coating that provides resistance to a wide range of aggressive soils, compounds and chemicals which safeguards the time independent strength of steel.
Typical large-scale project stockpile. Steel Mains solar panels on manufacturing building.
SINTAKOTE Steel Pipe’s inherent strength accommodates greater working pressures and increased capacity requirements in all applications. Steel Mains long-term internal corrosion protective centrifugally spun cement mortar lining is a long term densely compacted interior lining which provides maximum strength. Additionally, this serves to achieve a smooth finish which provides high hydraulic efficiency.
“Our SINTAKOTE pipeline system and its SINTAJOINT® spigot-socket push-in jointing system – are really the benchmark for water infrastructure projects in Australia, particularly where the client needs to de-risk the project, or where they are looking for a long-term asset design life,” says Connell.
“For example, the Melbourne Water Regional Authorities replaced sections of critical water mains pipework in inner Melbourne suburbs that our forerunners manufactured in the late 1800s. This pipework was in highly congested areas of the city causing replacement to create major disruption to the community, so the local water authorities sought provision for their assets long term security and long service life – and therefore turned to Steel Mains SINTAKOTE Steel Pipeline System. “The fact that the existing riveted steel pipework had been in service for more than 100 years is a true testament to the benefits of steel as a pipeline material. When combined with our latest technology and enhanced corrosion protection, SINTAKOTE steel pipe will serve the city of Melbourne well into the 2100s.”
Beginning to end service to maximise project value and minimise project risk
Steel Mains strives to provide the water infrastructure industry with innovative solutions that assist in meeting future demands at minimum long-term costs.
With capability to produce steel pipe in various lengths and diameters, Steel Mains offers the most comprehensive solutions; from beginning to end such as pipeline design, contracts and logistics management, and pipeline training and construction support for water transmission projects used in high to low pressure applications. The company is continuously evolving its water transmission solutions by actively working with all major water authorities, contractors and their consulting engineers and other standard agencies or associations.
“We’re known for our technical expertise and support. We’re there to support our customers over the complete design and installation journey, ensuring that the asset is installed exactly as it should be in a safe manner. Engineering support service is available to assist clients reduce pumping costs and optimise construction laying rates which is something clients find critical. Additionally, Steel Mains offers formal pipeline installation training and on-site support during the installation of Steel Mains SINTAKOTE Steel Pipeline System,” says Connell.
Over the course of many years, Steel Mains has designed, developed, and further enhanced its nationally recognised training program for SINTAKOTE steel pipe-laying construction. This program provides training in the correct installation of SINTAKOTE mild steel pipe to competent pipe-laying construction personnel and is delivered in all states and territories of Australia and New Zealand.
Research has shown that by following proper installation procedures, Steel Mains SINTAKOTE Steel Pipeline Systems can readily achieve operational lifetimes more than 150 years. Most Australian water authorities now regard such training of pipe-layers as a mandatory competency requirement.
The intended result is to provide the water industry with the unsurpassed confidence in a long life and a maintenance free asset with Steel Mains’ SINTAKOTE Steel Pipelines.
“At Steel Mains, we don’t just manufacture Mild Steel pipe. We offer a complete system and service to ensure that your investment in our SINTAKOTE pipe provides you with the service life required and that expected for your infrastructure project,” says Connell.
Adding customer value and social value through sustainability
At the end-of-life stage of Steel Mains’ steel pipe, the pipeline is 98 per cent recyclable and can be used for other purposes without losing its strength. This supports a circular economy where sustainable long-term growth can be achieved by extending the life of a product and thereby minimising impact and waste.
Additionally, as part of Steel Mains’ sustainability strategy moving forward, the company has reduced its manufacturing impact through the installation of solar panels at its Somerton Manufacturing facility in Victoria.
This initial modest installation will generate in excess of 130,000 kWh/year which is equivalent to a reduction of 140,600 KgCO2 emissions. This is the beginning of the first such installation, and first step towards a future where Steel Mains will continue to develop and take positive action to address climate change and work towards adoption of the United Nations Global Sustainable Development Goals related to climate change and clean energy.
As a local Australian manufacturer using local Australian sourced raw materials, labour and services, Steel Mains continues to evolve their environmental sustainability policies and practices to meet the immediate challenges faced by climate change whilst satisfying customer needs.
For more information visit www.steelmains.com
