Sorigué’s research laboratory, with the support of Universidad Politécnica de Cataluña (UPC), has completed the project "Tuberías inteligentes fabricadas con compuestos cementíticos y textiles: Tubotex" (Smart pipes manufactured with textile-reinforced cement composites: Tubotex). This has allowed the company to design and implement a pipe manufacturing system using cement-based composites with flexible and strong mesh, which will replace traditional reinforced concrete in the production of the large pipes.

The resistant properties will help to eliminate the corrosion issue and will reduce the amount of concrete used by 40%. This translates into savings on concrete and also decreased emissions of CO2 during production of said material.

Pipes with high performance fibre meshes were manufactured during the research in an effort to provide increased safety and a longer life cycle. In addition, with the aim of providing further added value to the new system, the pipes are able to detect leaks through the installation of smart components.

The project was co-financed by the Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology (CDTI) within a call for R+D on applied business projects. The research took place over 18 months and had a budget of 524,880 euros.