Elibeth Espinosa: ANAIP/AseTUB highlights the role of plastic pipes at C&R 2025

Director of the Construction Division at the Spanish Association of Plastics Manufacturers (ANAIP), the Spanish Association of Plastic Pipes and Fittings Manufacturers (AseTUB) and the Quality area, Espinosa also discussed the latest trends in the sector and recent regulatory developments. 

Just how important are they and what role do plastic pipes play in efficient heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) and refrigeration infrastructure?

Plastic piping systems now play a strategic role in air-conditioning and refrigeration infrastructure, form a safety and reliability point of view and in terms of the energy efficiency of the system as a whole.

Technological advances over recent decades have facilitated the development of highly specialised solutions for heating, underfloor heating, geothermal energy, air-source heat pumps and the distribution of thermal fluids. Materials such as PEX, PE-RT, PP-R, PB and multilayer systems offer excellent performance in terms of heat resistance, durability, leak-tightness, corrosion resistance and ease of installation – key factors in ensuring the infrastructure’s service life and reducing on-site incidents and maintenance requirements.

Furthermore, in a context where energy efficiency and the decarbonisation of the building stock are priorities, plastic piping systems are an essential component of the overall performance of the installation. A well-designed and correctly installed network helps directly minimise heat loss, optimise energy transport and improve the efficiency of equipment such as heat pumps, chillers and radiant heating and cooling systems.

How do these plastic pipes contribute to sustainability?

When it comes to sustainability, plastic pipes are a particularly important element. Firstly, they help to reduce energy consumption during the operational phase, which is where most of a facility’s environmental impact is concentrated. Secondly, their light weight reduces the environmental impact associated with transport and installation, and their long service life reduces the need for premature replacement.

Added to this is the sector’s progress in the area of the circular economy, with a growing focus on recyclability, the efficient use of raw materials, environmental product declarations and the objective measurement of the energy and environmental performance of the solutions. At AseTUB, ANAIP’s sector group for plastic pipes, we have been working on precisely this for some time, providing tools and data that enable solutions to be compared from a technical and sustainability perspective, using objective, evidence-based criteria.

What are the latest market trends in this area?

As for new market trends, we are seeing a clear shift towards systems designed to decarbonise buildings, with strong growth in air-source heat pumps, geothermal energy, concealed heating and cooling via radiant surfaces, and integration with smart control and automation systems. C&R itself has highlighted efficiency, electrification and the reduction of emissions as key drivers of transformation in the sector.

Also of note are new applications relating to data centres, energy-efficient building refurbishment, district heating and cooling networks, and hybrid solutions that combine different technologies to optimise energy consumption.

What new regulatory developments are affecting this sector?

From a regulatory perspective, the sector is particularly influenced by developments in regulation insofar as they apply to the energy efficiency of buildings, the RITE, the safety of installations and product requirements. The ongoing updating of UNE and EN standards applicable to plastic piping systems—particularly regarding the inclusion of recycled material in applications where its use is compatible—along with developments, within the European framework for sustainability and environmental performance, are driving stricter requirements in terms of design, installation, certification and traceability.

The entry into force and implementation of Directive (EU) 2020/2184 on the quality of water intended for human consumption, which has already been transposed into Spanish law via Royal Decree 3/2023, very much constitutes a watershed moment for the sector. This regulation represents a particularly significant change for all materials and products that come into contact with water intended for human consumption, including, of course, plastic pipes and fittings.

What other issues do you think are important for the sector at the present time?

I would emphasise the importance of continuing to invest in the training and professional development of installers. The quality of a solution depends not only on the product itself, but also on the correct specification, sizing and installation. Here at ANAIP/AseTUB we remain committed to technical promotion, standardisation and the generation of rigorous knowledge to serve the sector.

How did ANAIP/AseTUB’s participation in the latest edition of the C&R Exhibition, organised by IFEMA MADRID, help to highlight the importance of plastic pipes in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector?

In terms of ANAIP/AseTUB’s participation in the latest edition of C&R, it was an excellent opportunity to continue highlighting the role of plastic pipes in the air conditioning and refrigeration sector. Our involvement, as long-standing members of the Organising Committee and as the technical voice of manufacturers, has enabled us to transmit a clear message to the market: one cannot talk about efficiency, safety and sustainability without taking into account the quality and design of conduction systems.

The exhibition is always a great platform for showcasing innovation, sharing technical expertise with opinion leaders, engineering firms, installers and public authorities, and demonstrating how plastic solutions effectively address the challenges currently facing the sector.