Author:  Steven Jagels, Precision Polymer Engineering, an IDEX Company, USA

Q1) What differentiates PPE within the sealing industry?

Some of the biggest differentiators for PPE are our unique class-leading materials, exceptional technical support, responsive customer service and the ability to manufacture components in the shortest lead-times.

PPE’s elastomer materials are specifically engineered to perform in the most arduous environments, including extreme temperatures and chemically aggressive applications. Typical benefits include prolonged service life, increased equipment output and reduced equipment downtime.  We understand that one of the most important aspects in achieving safe and reliable operations within low temperature and high pressure working environments, such as those common to the oil and gas industry, is ensuring products are rigorously tested to meet the stringent industry standards. PPE materials have been tested and proven over many years, delivering industry-leading performance, to give customers confidence and security in the knowledge that their sealing materials are tested to the highest specifications in the industry, such as NORSOK, TOTAL, NACE and ISO.

We recognize that there is a significant benefit to engineering collaboration. Our engineers and material scientists work closely with customers in order to build-in maximum reliability and long term performance. Our customers like the fact that they can speak directly to a technical person and get the support they need, when they need it. Our short manufacturing lead times allow the chosen sealing solution to be delivered and tested within weeks. This helps bring the equipment to market faster.

Q2) What are some of PPE’s recent accomplishments?

PPE recently completed a really successful project that I am hugely proud of, working in partnership with British company SECC UK. We partnered with SECC UK to develop high pressure seals for flowline breakaway connectors, which are a safety requisite for offshore extraction. Our products now provide a proven sealing solution in very demanding, high pressure environments. The project was a great success and clearly demonstrates the benefits of working in partnership with a sealing provider. http://www.prepol.com/case-studies/O0068_SECC.pdf

Another major achievement for PPE in 2015 was the opening of our new manufacturing facility in Brenham, Texas. The site includes its own tool making, extrusion and inspection departments as well as our seal manufacturing processes. Most components made from high performance elastomers are manufactured to order, so the process of acquiring appropriate high performance seals can be challenging and extensive. It is therefore important for us to deliver materials of the highest quality in the shortest possible timeframes to our customers. PPE’s existing track record already boasts some of the quickest lead-times in the industry and the opening of the Brenham facility significantly boosts our production capabilities.

Q3) Have you noticed any trends in the industry? 

One major trend I have seen is the tremendous push towards the rigorous testing needed for effective and reliable valves used in arduous conditions. More traditional sealing materials might not suit today’s valve applications as many are unable to meet the challenges within the industry. However, with PPE’s latest revolutionary FFKMs, our customers can use one range of sealing materials for any application ensuring uncompromised reliability. New specialized sealing materials are constantly being developed and meticulously tested for specific oil and gas applications, they can then be optimized for the environment, be it upstream or downstream processing.

If you want to know more about how PPE’s customized sealing solutions can benefit your product range, please contact the author at sjagels@idexcorp.com or visit www.prepol.com.

About PPE

Precision Polymer Engineering Ltd (PPE) is a leading provider of high performance O-rings, elastomer moldings and sealing solutions to a diverse range of industries. The company develops novel elastomer materials to meet the most demanding sealing applications including extreme temperatures and chemically aggressive environments. Its markets are global, and include oil & gas industries, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, food and pharmaceutical production, chemical processing, large-bore diesel engines and aerospace.

Founded in 1975, PPE has manufacturing facilities in Europe and the US and sales offices and dealers in the US, Europe and Asia. The company’s success is based on developing sealing solutions that perform in difficult applications, last longer, require less maintenance and deliver the lowest cost of ownership, combined with exceptional levels of customer service and technical support. Precision Polymer Engineering is a Unit of IDEX Corporation and operates alongside FTL Technology and Novotema within the IDEX Sealing Solutions group segment.