SAPPMA marked a major milestone this year — its 21st anniversary — during its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on 11 November 2025. The meeting reflected on the achievements and challenges of the past financial year (ending 30 June 2025) and reaffirmed SAPPMA’s commitment to quality, integrity, and sustainability in South Africa’s plastic pipe industry.

Reflecting on Two Decades of Growth & Resilience

From its humble beginnings as a small group of dedicated manufacturers determined to protect the reputation of plastic piping, SAPPMA has evolved into a respected and influential organisation representing the entire value chain — from polymer producers and suppliers to installers and certification bodies.

Despite the year’s challenging economic environment, characterised by sluggish infrastructure investment, increased competition from imported products, and broader financial pressures, SAPPMA members remained resilient and forward-looking. The association continued to champion high standards, support members technically, and promote consumer confidence in certified, quality piping systems.

Key Focus Areas and Achievements

SAPPMA’s activities over the past year centred around its core focus areas:

• Quality and Standards: Ongoing factory audits ensured compliance with both national and international benchmarks. The programme included scheduled and unannounced inspections across member facilities, focusing on material verification, production integrity, and constructive feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Technical Support: SAPPMA maintained strong partnerships with five SANAS-accredited certification authorities, ensuring consistency and credibility in product testing and certification. Active participation in SANS technical committees allowed SAPPMA to influence the development and updating of standards in line with global best practices.
• Training and Development: A major growth area during 2025 was education and skills development. Through collaborations with universities, technical colleges, and engineering societies, SAPPMA hosted workshops, webinars, and guest lectures reaching students and professionals across South Africa. These initiatives are helping to build the next generation of engineers and technical experts.
• Marketing and Communication: SAPPMA continued to promote the benefits of plastic piping systems and highlight the importance of buying from certified, compliant manufacturers.
• Sustainability and Innovation: The association deepened its engagement with partners such as Plastics SA, SAVA, and government departments to address issues of recycling, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), and environmental best practices.

Championing Sustainability and Collaboration

SAPPMA recognises that long-term industry success depends on more than quality — it also relies on environmental stewardship and innovation. The plastic pipe industry already leads in durability and recyclability, and SAPPMA remains committed to promoting responsible manufacturing and circular economy practices.

Collaboration remains central to SAPPMA’s approach. By uniting members, certifiers, recyclers, and policymakers, the association continues to drive progress and accountability across the sector.

Looking Ahead

As SAPPMA celebrates 21 years of excellence, it does so with gratitude for the past, pride in the present, and optimism for the future. The challenges facing South Africa’s infrastructure are significant — but so too are the opportunities.

With its dedicated members and partners, SAPPMA is confident that the future of the plastic pipe industry in Southern Africa will continue to be defined by quality, innovation, and sustainability for generations to come.

Welcome to the newly elected SAPPMA board members

• Sean Harmse -SPS Molecor
• Stan Whiting - Rho Tech
• Chris Wright - Marley Pipe Systems
• Terence Hobson - Sun Ace SA
• Nyambeni Luruli - Safripol
• Mike Schutte (board appointment)
• Chakrapani Banadru – FloTek