• Desk-based market analysis to identify state of art (conception, innovative research and commercialised) plastic pipe mechanical jointing systems (inclusive of tapping tees, end caps, couplers, elbows, equal tees, reducers and transition fittings). A summary report will be produced.

• A feasibility review and gap analysis of the potential products and systems will be undertaken.

• A final report will be produced recommending which technologies should be developed and progressed to field trial.

The objective of the project is to identify state of art (conception, innovative research and commercialised) plastic pipe mechanical jointing methods that could be utilized in the UK gas network to improve pipeline performance.