Capabilities
Why HDPE?
HDPE versus steel for buoyancy and structural pontoon applications: lower density, immune to corrosion, no painting, lower lifecycle cost, ~55–80% lower carbon footprint at equal buoyancy.
Polyline specs HDPE because — at equivalent buoyancy and impact survivability — it beats steel on density, corrosion behaviour, maintenance cost and life-cycle carbon footprint. The numbers below are taken from our Capability Statement appendix.
Performance Comparison — HDPE Pontoon vs. Other Materials (e.g. Carbon Steel):
- Density — HDPE 960 kg/m³ vs Steel 7,850 kg/m³
- Corrosion — HDPE immune (no rust) vs Steel requires coating or cathodic protection
- Painting — HDPE none vs Steel initial coat plus periodic repainting
- Maintenance — HDPE visual checks vs Steel dry-dock every 2–3 years
- Durability — HDPE impact-resistant and flexible vs Steel prone to impact damage
- UV resistance — HDPE UV-stabilised vs Steel paint breakdown and chalking
- Lifecycle cost — HDPE typically lower vs Steel higher (maintenance + downtime)
- Carbon footprint — HDPE resin 3.1 kg CO₂e/kg, but a float delivering equal buoyancy needs ~8× less mass; net cradle-to-gate footprint drops 55–80% (indicative). Reference: world-average steel 1.91 kg CO₂e/kg.
A 110 kW fan running primary ventilation can cost ~$400,000 per year to operate — reducing friction, leakage and recirculation directly impacts cost. HDPE Polyduct addresses all three: smooth bore, leak-tight joints, no roughness from corrosion.
Got drawings? Send them our way.
DWG, STEP or PDF — our engineering team confirms feasibility and price.