Sectors We Serve
IPS Flow Systems stocks and distributes thermoplastic pipework, valves and fittings across the UK and Ireland. Our wide range includes more than 5,500 line items in sizes from 6mm to 1200mm.
Each application brings different demands. Corrosion resistance must sit alongside compatibility with process media, while purity requirements can drive material decisions. Pressure, temperature and containment also matter, as does installation.
We combine product supply with technical expertise to address the needs of our customers, providing material selection advice and jointing guidance. Installer training and site support help customers put the right plastic pipe system into service for their application.
Chemical and Process Manufacturing
This is our core sector. Acids, alkalis and solvents place different demands on systems handling aggressive process media, with corrosion resistance often prompting a move away from metal. Materials include PVC-U, PVC-C, ABS, polypropylene, PE100, PVDF, ECTFE, PTFE and PFA. Where media defeat standard valve materials, PTFE-lined options are available.
Our expert advice helps customers select compatible materials, while pipework layout reviews consider expansion loops and offsets. Jointing guidance follows, supported by installer training and site assistance. As a technical partner, we develop tailored solutions around the duty, keeping material compatibility central to decisions about the installation and its operating conditions.
Water and Wastewater
The AMP8 investment cycle brings water treatment and wastewater infrastructure into focus. We supply corrosion-free pipework and valves for dosing systems and effluent applications, where traditional materials can deteriorate quickly. Flow measurement and dosing control support the operation of these systems. Thermoplastics offer longer service life than metal equivalents in corrosive duties, helping customers consider durability alongside immediate installation requirements.
Our support also addresses construction-phase and operational emissions reduction. For teams pursuing more sustainable infrastructure, material decisions connect with performance throughout service. The aim is dependable systems suited to the water being treated and the conditions they will ultimately face.
Pharmaceutical, Biotechnology and High Purity
Ultra-pure water distribution demands products that meet the highest purity requirements of the application. PVDF combines suitable surface characteristics with pressure and temperature capability. For less critical UPW systems up to 50°C, PolyPure natural polypropylene provides another option. PP-Pure covers UPW reclaim, hot and cold UPW piping, and drain and waste applications.
We supply high-purity fittings and special geometries, alongside PTFE-lined sampling valves and systems. Each fitting belongs within a cleanliness-critical installation, so jointing guidance matters throughout assembly. Matched welding equipment is available for sale or hire, with practical support to help ensure the jointing approach suits the selected material.
Semiconductor and Electronics
Purity requirements set the standard for material decisions in semiconductor and electronics manufacturing. Wet stations handle sulphuric, nitric and hydrofluoric acids, placing contamination control at the centre of system selection. We supply high-purity piping with precision tubing and fittings, plus double containment for aggressive acid service. For customers working at the forefront of industry, innovation still depends on compatible materials.
New technologies do not remove that requirement. Our support keeps the discussion grounded in the media being handled and the purity needed, so technological advancements can be considered alongside the practical demands of containment and contamination control within each installation.
Fire Protection
Spears® FlameGuard® CPVC pipework and fittings serve sprinkler applications, including retrofits where buildings remain occupied during installation. The products have passed the LPS 1260 fire test for CPVC. FlameGuard® is approved by UL, FM Global and LPCB.
Its UK WRAS listing is for fire sprinkler use only. We supply compatible solvent cements alongside water mist heads and fire sleeves. Accredited CPVC installation training supports installers, with a dedicated fire protection brochure and price list available. This distinct product line combines system supply with training for the particular requirements of fire protection installation work.
Building Services and Construction
Backwater damage and flash flooding feature in insurer and local authority requirements, bringing drainage protection into building services decisions. We supply KESSEL drainage and backwater protection systems, supported by press-fit options in stainless steel, carbon steel and copper. Applicable services can use these jointing systems with less reliance on welding and threading.
Non-metallic supports and fixings complete the offering. Whether an engineer is considering new ideas for services distribution or reviewing procurement requirements, practical system choices remain central. Innovative solutions need to suit the installation, with drainage protection and jointing methods considered against the work that the building actually requires.
Food, Beverage and Hospitality
Process pipework carries food products and soft drinks, making material characteristics important. Our ABS pressure pipework is non-toxic and taint-free, with widespread use in these applications. Customers seeking high-quality products can discuss material suitability with our team, keeping the intended contents at the centre of decisions about the proposed system.
Wastewater has a different requirement: contaminated kitchen discharge needs pre-treatment before entering the public sewer. We supply KESSEL EasyClean separators, from central units through to under-sink models for takeaways, food trucks and smaller kitchens. These product offerings address wastewater handling alongside the separate requirements of food and beverage process pipework.
Petrochemical and Fuel Handling
Closer scrutiny of health, safety and environmental requirements has made secondary containment an expectation in fuel handling. We supply DuoSafe PVC-U and PVC-C double containment, with DuoSafe FLEX for dosing applications. Poly-Flo twin-wall systems sit alongside AGRUSAFE fabricated systems and liners.
For above- and below-ground installations, PLX covers petrol, diesel and other fuel oils. Material compatibility and containment requirements guide the choice, keeping reliability central to discussions about the media being transferred and the protection required around it.
Power Generation, Pulp and Paper, and Mining
Highly corrosive and abrasive duties can exceed the capabilities of conventional materials, causing premature failure. We supply PTFE-lined valves and lined sampling systems for particularly aggressive applications, alongside standard thermoplastic pipework. The starting point is the duty itself.
Material selection advice helps customers consider compatibility before specifying equipment, while our supply and support services bring the relevant options together. This connects demanding process requirements with practical decisions about the systems used to handle them effectively.
Nuclear
Operational and decommissioning sites use corrosion-resistant thermoplastics for water treatment, effluent handling, dosing and demineralised water. Their light weight and long service life support these duties. Solvent cement and fusion jointing avoid hot works where permits are restrictive.
We provide material-selection and compatibility advice, available products with next-day delivery, documentation and customer-specific paperwork. Installer training delivered under ISO 9001 procedures supports installation, alongside manufacturer ranges already specified in power generation and heavy industrial applications with demanding service requirements.
Agriculture, Aquaculture and Irrigation
Fish farms, aquaria and growing operations form a long-standing market for IPS. We supply PVC-U and polypropylene systems, covering pipework, fittings and saddles alongside valves, filtration and microirrigation components.
Our comprehensive offering brings these elements together with material-selection support. Requirements evolve between applications, so the discussion starts with what the system must handle. Customers can draw on our technical guidance when matching components, with product supply supported by the same customer service available across sectors.
Gas, Potable Water and Heating Distribution
Press-fit jointing allows installations without hot works. Our inoxPRES stainless steel and aesPRES copper and bronze ranges carry DVGW test marks for relevant potable-water and gas installations. For closed hot-water heating systems, steelPRES provides the specified range.
Each has its own application. Customers can discuss material selection and jointing with our team, keeping best practices connected to the system being installed. Technical guidance and training support the practical work required to deliver the chosen installation.
Compressed Air
Compressed air is a cross-sector application, rather than an industrial sector. Metal air mains can corrode and scale, causing contamination and restricted flow that increases energy demand to maintain pressure. We supply AGRUAIR in blue PE100 and Durapipe Girair PVC.
AGRUAIR resists all common compressor lubricating oils and installs in a fraction of the time of metal, while Girair resists most common compressor oils. AGRUAIR’s clean bore suits food and pharmaceutical production areas, and both systems help maintain flow where contamination control and continuous system performance are considerations for users.
Fabrication and Machining
Sheet, rod and machining shapes sit alongside our piping systems, helping maintain material consistency throughout an installation. Our inventory covers PVC-U, Corzan PVC-C, polyethylene, polypropylene and PVDF for tanks, fume scrubbers, machined parts and subcomponents.
That consistency matters when fabrication and process systems come together. Collaboration around material selection can strengthen the connection between individual components and the wider installation, with technical support available to discuss compatibility and the conditions each material needs to withstand.
Energy Transition Infrastructure
Energy infrastructure needs corrosion resistance for process and treated-water duties, alongside attention to sustainability. Thermoplastics have lower embodied carbon than metal alternatives and a service life measured in decades.
We support material selection against the duty, with design guidance on expansion and pipework layout. Next-day availability is backed by installer training and site support. As projects develop, customers can continuously review their requirements with dedicated professionals, keeping practical material decisions connected to the proposed installation.
Data Centres
Cooling and process water systems face downtime risks from corrosion, scale build-up and leaks. Smooth-bore thermoplastic pipework resists corrosion and scaling, protecting flow performance throughout service. Our ranges, including AGRU thermoplastic piping systems, support these duties.
Material-selection and jointing guidance help customers address installation requirements and leak prevention considerations. Next-day delivery throughout the UK and Ireland supports availability, with responsive technical assistance to discuss the system and contribute to decisions about its long-term service requirements.
Technical Support for Every Sector
The service model stays consistent whatever the application. We support customers from material selection through to installation, with practical guidance at each stage. Some projects need jointing advice; others require equipment hire or help on site. Our team brings these services together around the requirements of the system being installed.
- Over 5,500 line items held in stock, with next day delivery across the UK and Ireland and sizes from 6mm to 1200mm
- 95 per cent of orders shipped complete and on time
- Long-standing relationships with leading global manufacturers, many of them held for the full life of the business
- Free, unbiased technical advice on material selection, compatibility, pressure and temperature limits, and expansion design
- Installation training on all piping materials, delivered under ISO 9001 procedures, covering CPVC, solvent cementing and welding machines, delivered on site or at Seaham
- Welding machine sale and hire, with expert consultation, flexible hire periods and support throughout the hire
- Free site visits, demo van visits and booked calls with sales engineers
- Handbook sections by product family in sterling and euro, plus webinars, case studies, podcasts and thought leadership
- An e-commerce platform for credit account customers, alongside the trade counter and sales desk
- Expert packing, documentation, customer-specific paperwork, bespoke packaging and delivery schedules
Standards, Certification and Industry Memberships
Our commitment to excellence is supported by the certifications and memberships below. Relationships built on trust also depend on professionalism in the service we provide. For customers seeking the highest quality products, industry standards form part of the discussion alongside application requirements. Our listed credentials sit within that wider context. Installer training is delivered under ISO 9001 procedures, with installation courses delivered on site or at our Seaham training location.
- ISO 9001 certified
- ISO 14001 certified
- Carbon Literate Bronze
- SafeSupplier verified
- Menopause Workplace Pledge signatory
- NEPIC member
- SNIPEF member
- BAFSA member
- Pump Centre member
- Part of the Indutrade Group since 2007
Discuss Your Application with IPS Flow Systems
New installations, upgrades and demanding process applications all start with understanding the duty. If you are looking for a leading supplier of pipes, choose IPS for product supply backed by practical support. Our dedication to delivering the best service starts with discussing material compatibility and installation requirements.
The highest standards matter in every aspect of that conversation, from jointing guidance to training. Speak with our team about the system you need and the conditions it will face. We can review material options, discuss expansion and layout, and arrange site support to help connect the proposed specification with the work ahead.
FAQs
Can IPS supply piping systems for semiconductor and electronics manufacturing?
Yes. IPS supplies high-purity piping, precision tubing and fittings for semiconductor and electronics applications, with double containment for aggressive acid service. Wet stations handling sulphuric, nitric and hydrofluoric acids require careful material decisions. Our support centres on compatibility and contamination control, reflecting the demanding purity requirements associated with these applications.
What piping systems does IPS provide for agriculture, aquaculture and irrigation?
IPS supplies PVC-U and polypropylene pipework for fish farms, aquaria and growing operations. The range includes fittings and saddles, together with valves, filtration and microirrigation components. Material-selection advice helps customers consider suitable options for the intended application, supported by product availability and technical guidance on the systems and components supplied.
