Westlake Pipe & Fittings will build a 190,000-square-foot manufacturing plant for molecular-oriented PVC pipe (PVCO) at its production site in Wichita Falls, Texas.
The PVCO pipe offering will enhance the product portfolio of the division of Westlake Corp., which is the No. 3 pipe, profile and tubing extruder in North America with estimated related sales of $2.95 billion, according to Plastics News data.
The Houston-based parent company did not disclose how much money it is investing in the site expansion.
Westlake Pipe & Fittings has been at the forefront of bringing PVCO pipe to the North American market, Westlake Pipe Vice President Andre Battistin said in an email.
"The product uses 40 percent less raw materials and transmits 10 percent more water than standard PVC pipe so it has become a preferred solution for municipalities looking to improve the water main infrastructure," Battistin said.
The new facility will be equipped with six production lines focused on products for water conveyance, Battistin added.
"PVCO is primarily used in the municipal drinking water market. The demand is coming from the investment in water main infrastructure improvements and the growth in housing development builds," he said.
Battistin pointed to the U.S. Infrastructure and Jobs Act, which earmarks $55 billion to improve access to clean drinking water, and also said 33 percent of all installed pipe in North America is more than 50 years old.
PVCO uses the same materials as PVC, but the pipe is mechanically stretched during the manufacturing process. The stretching realigns the material's molecules to improve tensile strength, which enables thinner-walled pipe with the same pressure capacity as thicker-walled PVC pipe.
PVCO costs about the same as standard PVC pipe per foot of installed water main, Battistin said, but has a big price advantage over a competing material.
"PVCO has over a 50 percent lower total product/installation cost than ductile iron," he said.
Westlake introduced molecular-oriented PVC pipe in 2021 in Canada, a company news release says.
The Wichita Falls expansion leverages the site's geographic location in the heart of the United States and marks a significant milestone in Westlake's commitment to growth in the region, Battistin said.
"This strategic expansion reflects our commitment to pioneering advancements in processing technology, delivering sustainable products, and providing customer-centric solutions," Battistin said.
The number of jobs that will be created from the project isn't known, Battistin noted. The new jobs will cover a range of construction positions and manufacturing roles for production, quality control and distribution.
Construction is expected to begin by the end of 2024.
Westlake Pipe & Fittings currently has 23 manufacturing and distribution locations for its gasketed, solvent weld and restrained joint pipes and range of fittings for the municipal water and sewer, plumbing, electrical, water well, pool and spa, and agriculture and irrigation markets.