HIGHLIGHT

• A shortage of freshwater during the dry season in Koh Samui makes a remarkable impact on livelihood and tourism.
• It is Thailand’s first-ever success in producing the submarine water pipeline.
• Manufactured with PE112, the pipeline exhibits higher durability, thickness, and greater capacity to withstand water pressure than PE100 commonly available on the market. As a result, it lends increased performance and safety for the water distribution system.

Water is one of the vital resources on earth, especially freshwater. Humans consume water for daily activities and use 2,000-4,000 liters of water to produce everyday food requirements. Water is also one of the key elements that propel industries and economies around the world.

Koh Samui is a tourist destination that has been struggled with freshwater scarcity due to excessive water consumption, resulting in great impacts on livelihood and tourism industry. Chemicals Business, SCG, has partnered with the Provincial Waterworks Authority (PWA) to carry out the project “Samui Submarine Water Pipeline Construction,” developing the innovative material of the water supply pipe for the business sector. The PE112 resin was chosen as key elements as it exhibits greater thickness, durability, and a higher capacity to withstand subsea pressure, which helps improve pipeline installation consistency and enhance the standard of water supply distribution system with large thick-wall pipe for the first time in Thailand. As a result, the underwater pipeline helps alleviate clean water scarcity and give a better quality of life on Kho Samui.

The pipe for the underwater pipeline project is made from a world-class black, high-density polyethylene compound PE112, invented and manufactured with SCG’s patented technology. PE112 resin possesses exceptional properties of SCG HDPE H112PC which are:

• Superior thickness and strength performance to conventional PE100
• 10% higher capacity to withstand the pressure inside and outside the pipe.
• 50% higher abrasion resistance measured by Sand Slurry test with greater flexibility and bendability, which make it easy for submersion.
• Longer lifespan.

The submarine pipeline construction project between Phun Phin District and Koh Samui in Surat Thani province can supply water to 64,000 more people, covering five districts: Phun Phin, Mueang, Kanchanadit, Donsak and Koh Samui. The project marked an achievement to mitigate the problem of freshwater scarcity in Koh Samui. Chemicals Business, SCG and PWA launched a comprehensive impact assessment to determine the environmental conditions and appropriate materials and learn the overall environment, local people, geographical features, and climate conditions to deliver the solution that meets the need and addresses the problem. The assessment has led to the development of PE112 pipeline that fulfills functional needs while minimizing environmental impacts. The project delivers solutions to infrastructure challenges and promotes the tourism industry and livelihood of Koh Samui people.