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    COMMERCIAL STORMWATER SOLUTIONS

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    Key Visual The One Lifespan

    The One that outlives many generations

    150+ years!

    The One does not age. The material has proven itself. Fired clay has been used for millennia, and these products can still be admired today. Every year, ancient artifacts such as vases and pipes are unearthed—undamaged and in pristine condition. At the same time, ceramics are now used in high-end, innovative applications such as rockets, high-performance brakes, and manufacturing tools. This proves that The One is timeless and relevant in every era.

    why the one outlives the rest

    Our material has been used in countless sewer systems over the past centuries. Even today, a large number of clay pipe sewers installed in Europe at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century are still in operation. This makes vitrified clay the only material that can legitimately claim a service life of more than 150 years. Since these sewer systems continue to function without requiring intervention—and knowing that vitrified clay does not age—it is reasonable to assume that its actual lifespan is significantly longer than that of other materials.

    The One takes it a step further. While the service life of other materials can only be estimated through extrapolation, vitrified clay pipes provide real, evidence-based proof of their performance. This proof is supported by three pillars: real-life reference cases, technical parameters, and scientific research.

    Vitrified clay pipes quality social
    Key Visual The One Lifespan

    the only material with real-life reference cases of +150 years!

    Our material has been used in countless sewer systems over the past centuries. Even today, a large number of clay pipe sewers installed in Europe at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th century are still in operation. This makes vitrified clay the only material that can legitimately claim a service life of more than 150 years. Since these sewer systems continue to function without requiring intervention—and knowing that vitrified clay does not age—it is reasonable to assume that its actual lifespan is significantly longer than that of other materials.

    The One takes it a step further. While the service life of other materials can only be estimated through extrapolation, vitrified clay pipes provide real, evidence-based proof of their performance. This proof is supported by three pillars: real-life reference cases, technical parameters, and scientific research.

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    1. REAL-LIFE REFERENTIECASES

    In 1982, the National Clay Pipe Institute already researched the lifetime of vitrified clay pipes, analysing over 50 sewer systems that where installed before 1880 and still in use, with systems dating from 1815, proving lifetimes over 167 years. Many of the investigated pipes already exceed the 100 year mark, with the expectation of even longer operational times as they are still in use.

    Due to the increased quality of vitrified clay pipes over the last decades, it can be assumed that the current generation of vitrified clay pipes will even exceed the lifetime spans that are provided below.

    2. Technical Parameters

    MECHANICAL STRENGTH

    Rigid pipes such as vitrified clay pipes are a safe choice from a load perspective: no deformation occurs, the strength is exceptionally high and remains this way during the operational lifetime as the E-modulus is constant. 

    CORROSION RESISTANCE

    Vitrified clay is resistant against most types of chemical attacks and is completely resistant against sewage water compositions.

    There is no influence on the material due to H2S gasses, a significant problem for concrete products. These gasses are formed due to bacteria in the sewage water, leading to sulphuric acid corrosion. As a consequence, the concrete material gets eroded and loses its structural integrity. As vitrified clay pipes only contain clay, chamotte and water, they do not contain harmful substances. 

    3. scientific research & analysis

    Vitrified clay pipes have seen their use for already quite some time. Therefor, a lot of field research and scientific anlysis has been performed over the last decades, conforming the unmatched performance of The One. A concise overview is provided to highlight the main conclusions from literature.

    All studies mentioned in this brochure took the behavior of the material under stress condition into consideration. This is proof of the durability of The One which is in sharp contrast to other materials, where degradation effects are known to happen and where lifetime extrapolations are know to deviate from reality. Curious to learn more about the papers? Feel free to request them!

    The best investment after 40 years of usage

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    LCC (Life cycle cost)

    Independent LCC research confirms that when the operational lifespan exceeds 40 years, The One is the best investment from an economic perspective.

    By applying the Life Cycle Cost (LCC) methodology, not only the initial costs are considered, but also all costs incurred throughout the entire lifespan of the product — from raw materials to end-of-life. This internationally recognized approach (ISO 14040 and 14044) evaluates both direct and indirect costs, providing a clear picture of the total economic impact.

    In-depth analyses show that — although vitrified clay pipes require a higher initial investment — the total long-term costs are significantly lower. The LCC analysis demonstrates that when maintenance and replacement are taken into account, vitrified clay pipes become the most cost-efficient choice after 40 years of operational use. This makes The One not only the best investment for today, but also for the future.

    Visual I The One is expensive

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    Curious about how to make your infrastructure projects more sustainable? Want to discover how a well-considered choice of materials can make a difference in the sustainability of your construction site? Or do you need detailed environmental data such as emissions and life cycle assessments (LCA) for your project or organization? Onze sustainability experts helpen u graag verder!

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