São Paulo Industrial Process Pipeline

Project context

A specialty chemicals facility in São Paulo industrial belt operated 25-year-old carbon steel process piping that had developed widespread internal corrosion. The conveyed media included dilute acid streams that ruled out standard polyester resin systems. Replacing the piping would have required a 6-week production shutdown costing tens of millions of dollars in lost output.

Our solution

Huatao supplied vinyl ester (epoxy ester) resin systems with hydrolysis resistance and stability against acids and alkalis, paired with reinforced fiber felt liner. Inversion installation rehabilitated 420 meters of DN200-DN400 process pipeline in 4 weeks during a planned annual maintenance window — eliminating the need for an extended production shutdown. The vinyl ester chemistry provides 50-year service life in the existing media.

Outcomes

• 420 meters of corroded process pipeline rehabilitated in-situ
• 4-week project completed within planned annual maintenance window
• No extended production shutdown required
• Vinyl ester resin certified for the existing chemical media
• Estimated 50-year service life under continued aggressive service
• Capital expenditure reduced by 65% versus full pipeline replacement