January 2025 Vol. 80 No. 1

Features

PPI president highlights benefits of plastic pipelines

Michael Reed, Contributing Editor 

David Fink was active for more than 20 years in the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) before becoming president of the Dallas-based organization in January 2020. 

A chemical engineer and chemist by training, Fink has devoted his entire career to plastics, beginning with his work in polyethylene resin at Union Carbide (UC) Corporation and narrowing in focus to resins for pipe applications, after UC’s acquisition by Dow Chemical in 2001. 

He then spent 13 years at WL Plastics, one of the largest polyethylene pipe manufacturers in North America, where he managed commercial sales, engineering and business development, serving on the PPI board for several of those years. 

Despite taking the reins of PPI at the outset of a global pandemic, Fink saw a bright future for the plastics pipe industry and a growing role for its products across an expanding range of underground applications. He now works diligently to make that vision come true. 

Can you tell us who your members are and tell us about the institute’s mission?   

David M. Fink: The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) is a non-profit trade association representing the interests of the plastics pipe industry. Our members are companies involved in the production of plastic resins, additives, pipes, fittings and conduits, as well as the manufacturing of related equipment and the distribution of plastic piping products. We also include industry professionals and international affiliates.  

The mission of PPI is centered on improving the quality of life today and for future generations, by advancing the adoption and use of sustainable and resilient plastic pipe systems.   

We are committed to advocacy, education and the development of standards that support the widespread use of plastic piping solutions, which are not only cost-effective but also environmentally friendly and durable. PPI operates through five membership divisions: Building & Construction, Drainage, Municipal & Industrial, Power & Communications and Energy Piping Systems, which focuses on gas and oil applications.  

Is membership in PPI growing? What geographic regions have shown the most growth? 

Fink: Yes, membership within PPI continues to grow steadily. Over the past several years, we have welcomed approximately 10 new member companies each year. 

The demand for plastic piping systems has expanded across a variety of sectors, including water and sewer infrastructure, oil and gas, natural gas distribution, industrial and mining applications, telecommunications and power conduit, as well as for applications like hot- and cold-water plumbing and geothermal systems. 

One of the key drivers of this growth has been the recognition of plastic piping materials’ key features and benefits in infrastructure, including how these materials benefit social, environmental and governmental needs. 

Plastic piping offers significant advantages over traditional materials like steel and reinforced fiberglass in terms of social impact, environmental sustainability, and governmental alignment. It provides safer, more durable, and cost-effective infrastructure solutions that meet the needs of modern energy markets while supporting climate and sustainability initiatives. 

Geographically, the growth has been fairly distributed across North America, with new members coming from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. This reflects the broad acceptance of plastic piping solutions as both a practical and innovative approach to meet modern infrastructure needs. 

Can you elaborate on the advantages of plastic piping systems in the oil and gas industry, especially regarding horizontal directional drilling (HDD)?   

Fink: The oil and gas industry, particularly in applications like gas gathering, distribution and transmission, has increasingly turned to plastic pipe, particularly high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and other advanced polymer materials.  

These materials offer distinct advantages over traditional piping options. Plastic pipes are lightweight, flexible and corrosion-resistant, making them ideal for challenging environments, such as those encountered during horizontal directional drilling. 

HDD is a trenchless method of installing pipelines that requires precision and resilience in the materials used. Plastic pipes, with their ability to bend and adapt to the subterranean landscape without the risk of corrosion or joint failure, have proven to be highly effective in such applications.  

Furthermore, their installation requires less energy and labor compared to traditional materials, which translates into cost savings and a reduced environmental footprint. Plastic pipes also have a longer service life, making them a more sustainable choice for long-term infrastructure projects in the energy sector. 

Through initiatives like our Energy Transportation Advisory Group, PPI works closely with industry stakeholders to establish and refine standards that ensure the safe and reliable use of plastic piping systems in the energy sector. We are dedicated to continuing this work and expanding the role of plastic piping in the oil and gas industry, ensuring a sustainable and resilient future for our infrastructure. 

Is membership in PPI growing? What geographic regions have shown the most growth?   

Fink: Yes, membership in the Plastics Pipe Institute (PPI) continues to grow steadily, driven by the increasing demand for plastic piping systems across various sectors, including water and sewer infrastructure, oil and gas, natural gas distribution, industrial and mining applications, telecommunications and power conduits. Additionally, there has been strong growth in areas like hot and cold water plumbing, geothermal, and renewable energy infrastructure. 

PPI has added approximately 10 new member companies annually during the past several years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, plastic piping was deemed essential, allowing the industry to continue its work on both new installations and the rehabilitation of aging infrastructure. This essential designation helped maintain industry momentum, despite global challenges. 

Geographically, growth has been fairly evenly distributed across North America, with new members joining from the United States, Canada, and Mexico. However, demand for plastic pipe systems is also rising globally, as the benefits of plastic infrastructure solutions become more widely recognized. 

To what degree is PPI involved in establishing industry standards? 

Fink: Establishing and maintaining industry standards is a core function of PPI. We are involved in nearly every standards organization across North America, frequently taking leadership roles. 

In the oil and gas industry, we work closely with organizations such as ASTM, API, CSA, APGA, ASME and ISO, among others. These collaborations ensure that plastic piping systems meet the highest standards of safety, performance and sustainability, helping to foster wider adoption across energy infrastructure projects. 

Are there any other specific challenges or pending regulations facing the industry that PPI and its members are trying to address? 

Fink: One of the key challenges we are working on is gaining broader acceptance for spoolable composite piping in regulated applications. We have been collaborating with PHMSA and other regulatory bodies to include these materials in 49 CFR, Part 192. Additionally, as regulatory focus on methane reduction intensifies, plastic piping is well positioned to help utilities meet stricter requirements.  

However, we are also facing challenges from efforts to limit natural gas usage in favor of electrification. Despite these challenges, we remain confident that plastic piping will continue to play a critical role in modernizing and improving energy infrastructure.  

FOR MORE INFORMATION: 

Plastics Pipe Institute: (469) 499-1044, plasticpipe.org 

 

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