Tecra looks to the future: discover new trends
To deal with future scenarios in the best possible way, to respond to change and to satisfy constantly evolving customers’ needs, Tecra looks to the future with an eye to diversification, expansion and renewal of its core business.
Instrumentation, petrochemical and oil&gas market is preparing to be transformed due to geopolitical and technological factors besides energy transition. There are, in fact, projects aimed at rebuild and/or requalify oilrigs and existing plants; but, also, we witness an evolution in infrastructures and in the choice of material towards digital, more sustainable and high performance solutions.
This transformation can be summarized in few points:
INVESTMENTS IN TECHNOLOGICAL INFRASTRUCTURES
to optimize processes, precision, durability, efficiency, safety and to reduce costs, waste and risks.
Among the main technological innovations influencing tubes and fittings production there are:
- ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING PROCESSES through which custom components can be realized with tight tolerances;
- AUTOMATION AND ROBOTICS which improve precision;
- the introduction of SMART AND ADVANCED DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES based on AI to constantly control and maintain the manufacturing process and the conditions of tubes and fittings in real time improving plants safety and reliability;
- INNOVATIVE AND ADVANCED JOINING AND CONNECTION TECHNOLOGIES that contribute to reduce the time of assembly and to improve installations quality and efficiency ensuring maximum safety.
ADVANCED AND HIGH QUALITY MATERIALS
We see a growth in new materials investments, research and studies. In fact, the necessary transition to RES (renewable energy sources) and hydrogen technologies impose the advancement of new kinds of tubes. Besides their specific characteristics, these new materials are also selected and preferred for their compatibility with more environmentally friendly installation technique.
In this sense, the most important material trends and innovations are described hereunder:
High performance metals and alloys
Next to stainless steel (316/316L), special materials such as stainless steel 6Mo, super duplex and monel 400 and high performance alloys are now more and more frequently used. Their main required feature is corrosion, high temperature and extreme pressure resistance. Moreover, a new trend is emerging and it is related to investments in the so-called green steel that is a type of steel obtained by low-emission production process thanks to the introduction of hydrogen in it.
Composite materials
Engineers and researchers are studying combinations of metals and polymers or ceramics to realize fittings and tubes with a better balance between weight and resistance and a high durability so that they can be equally resistant, but lighter. Research also deal with new coating techniques based on nanotechnologies to improve corrosion protection and tubes strength.
ACR copper
Used for air conditioning and refrigeration applications.
Innovations can be seen also in the market of plastic since new polymers have been realized. In fact, even if PVC or PVC-coated tubes are still widely used due to their flexibility and heat resistance, HIGH PERFORMANCE POLYMERS have been developed. They are light, resistant to corrosion and have lower manufacturing costs in comparison to common metals. Among them there is Polyethylene especially used for gas pipes or XPE Polyethylene for some industrial applications. Furthermore, there are also polypropylene (PP) for its heat resistance and technopolymers such as fluoropolymers designed to reduce contaminant and ensure durability and reliability. Another solution is PVC-U that is impact-resistant, easy to use and more sustainable. It also has got a good mechanical strength.
At the end new type of plastic such are recycled plastic or bioplastic are introduced in the market.
INVESTMENTS IN SUSTAINABILITY AND REDUCTION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
CUSTOMIZED SUPPLIES
Customized solutions should be preferred besides material in stock and short delivery times.
All of these are extremely important aspects to consider to face technological modernization and meet new needs and projects aiming at improving performance, precision and sustainability. With the desire to embrace the change, Tecra is engaged in motoring the evolution and seize new opportunities.
