PVC-U

When the first plastic pipes came onto the market in the early 1950s, GF launched corresponding malleable cast iron and later brass fittings in 1951. However, these connections were seen as a transitional solution, and GF's "plastics department" set itself the goal of developing a fitting made of plastic that was suitable for the material. After extensive tests in cooperation with EMPA, a research institute for materials science at the ETH Zurich, it was concluded that an adhesive fitting injection-molded from PVC or similar material was the most suitable connector. 

In the early 60s GF ball valves were introduced. The firm Chemtrol manufactured and sold their patented PVC ball valves in the US. GF obtained the rights to redesign these ball valves for European use, to manufacture them in Europe and sell them under the GF brand. By the mid sixties, the product line comprised already 1.565 plastic fittings and valves.

Our former colleague Dr. Rudolf Merz was highly involved in the development of the plastic adhesive Tangit PVC-U. Read more about the story in the Interview.

In  1970 GF introduced all-plastic PVC and PP diaphragm valves, in 1973 the pneumatically actuated diaphragm valve and in 1975 PE tapping valves with electric heating mat.

In the course of intensive research and development work GF created a new line of valves - the GF butterfly valves made of plastic. This is a valve especially for large nominal diameters. This butterfly valve is made entirely of PVC and is available in nominal diameters from 65 to 200 mm. Besides the model with manual operation (hand lever and manual gearbox), two automatic drive types are available, i.e. pneumatic and electric. The butterfly valve is also suitable for highly corrosive and aggressive media.

Universal, durable and trusted for 65 years: The PVC-U piping system, first produced in 1955, has been tried and tested for 65 years. Today it includes pipes, fittings, valves, actuators as well as measurement and control technology that is used across industries in over 100 countries for the most demanding applications. 

As the first manufacturer of pressure piping, GF Piping Systems is introducing bio-attributed materials to all of its market-leading polyvinyl chloride (PVC) metric pressure pipes produced in Europe.

With IR PVC-U, GF Piping Systems introduces the world's first infrared welded PVC-U piping system allowing reliable joints in a less hazardous work environment.