Borouge addresses the world's toughest water challenges at Singapore International Water Week 2009

For the second year running, SIWW brings together experts and policymakers to address the world’s toughest water challenges and showcase the latest technologies in the water world. This year, the main Water Convention is themed "Sustainable Cities - Infrastructure and Technologies for Water" and Borouge’s technical paper highlighted how high-quality innovative plastics pipe systems can substantially contribute to sustainability initiatives.

Aging water supply systems in modern cities can lose up to 40% of their water due to leaks and cracks. Borouge’s polyethylene, based on its unique enhanced Borstar technology, can improve by a factor eight the water efficiency of distribution networks.

While presenting its broad range of plastic pipes solutions at the concurrent Water Expo, Borouge is also showcasing its Water for the World™ field projects. Through this unique initiative, Borouge, together with Borealis, contributes to addressing the challenge of providing clean and safe drinking water and sanitation to areas in need. Water for the World leverages the expertise of the two companies, and fosters local knowledge and partnerships throughout the value chain to deliver sustainable solutions for the availability of clean and safe drinking water and sanitation.

Since its inception in October 2007, Borouge and Borealis have successfully completed several Water for the World field projects in distressed areas around the world and specifically in China.

Water for the World brings hope to Sichuan and Malkapur
In May 2008, Borouge brought its Water for the World efforts to Sichuan, China through the Drop of Hope project to benefit the many villagers affected by a major earthquake in the region. In a matter of days after the disaster, Borouge and its partners – which included the Singapore Water Association and Lien Aid, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) – provided a new water system that supplied about 60,000 litres of safe, clean drinking water a day to some 10,000 displaced victims.

Borouge has also helped enable the delivery of tap water to some 3,000 homes in Malkapur in India’s Maharashtra state. Durable pipes made from Borouge’s high-quality polyethylene material now provide every household in the village with fresh water around the clock, seven days a week. The new system is designed to support a population projected to grow to 67,000 by 2030.

To further drive sustainable water and sanitation projects around the world, Borouge and Borealis co-founded the Stockholm Water Prize to honour outstanding achievements in water-related activities. In March 2009, Dr Bindeshwar Pathak, renown for his work in sanitation and founder of Sulabh Sanitation Movement in India, was announced as the 2009 laureate.

Leading the world with innovative pipe systems
In order to extend the reach of Water for the World, Borouge continues to seek close collaboration with partners to realise more high-quality, sustainable solutions. Through close dialogue with customers and industry stakeholders, such as water and sanitation network owners and government authorities, Borouge continuously invests in helping to establish quality standards that ensure customers’ requirements are met under the most rigorous conditions and over long periods of time.

Borouge also recently participated in the Water Malaysia 2009 Conference and Exhibition, which took place from May 19 to 21 at the Putra World Trade Center, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

"We are very proud of our Water for the World initiative and what we have achieved thus far," says William Yau, Chief Executive Officer of Borouge’s Marketing Company. "However, there is much more that we can do to provide access to clean drinking water and basic sanitation to billions of people throughout Asia as well as upgrading inefficient water supply systems. Through ongoing innovation and close partnerships with key players in the water industry, as well as our durable, cost-effective and corrosion-free plastics solutions, we hope to continue to bring sustainable solutions that will address the water and sanitation challenges throughout the region."

Earlier this year, Borouge strengthened its commitment to its customers in the South East Asia region by investing in a logistics hub in Singapore that will provide local logistics and distribution services when it becomes operational in mid-2010. This hub will provide packaging and warehousing facilities for a total annual volume of approximately 330,000 tonnes of polyolefins per year.


Contact:
Borouge Pte Ltd
Craig Halgreen, Vice President Global Communications Borouge
1 George Street
Singapore 049145
PH.: +971 2 6070807
FAX: +971 2 6070889
E-Mail: craig.halgreen@borouge.com
Internet: www.borouge.com