On May 29, 2026, the technology assessment meeting for the "Spiral Wound Trenchless Renewal Technology for Ultra-Large Municipal Drainage Pipelines," hosted by the Science and Technology and Industrialization Development Center of the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD), successfully concluded in Taizhou, Jiangsu. Developed jointly by 5ELEM and 5ELEM Nuodao Pipeline Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd., the technology was rigorously reviewed by an authoritative expert committee and unanimously recognized as reaching an internationally advanced level, successfully passing the assessment.
Authoritative Review: Validating Core Technological Strength
The assessment committee, convened by the MOHURD center, comprised seven leading experts from prominent institutions, including the Plastics Piping Committee of China Plastics Processing Industry Association (CPPIA), Tongji University, and Shanghai Municipal Engineering Design Institute (Group) Co., Ltd. Their expertise spanned municipal water supply and drainage standardization, engineering construction, and material testing.
During the meeting, Chief Engineer Qin Qingwu presented the project's key achievements and technical advantages. The experts meticulously reviewed the comprehensive technical documentation and engaged in in-depth discussions on core aspects such as technical principles, process equipment, and practical engineering applications.
Following the evaluation, the committee unanimously concluded: The project demonstrates outstanding innovation, has achieved significant success in major engineering applications, and exhibits remarkable effectiveness. Its overall capability has reached an internationally advanced level, establishing it as a core technology for building the "Six Networks" infrastructure.
Three Core Innovations: Breaking Through Industry Bottlenecks Addressing the industry pain points of trenchless renewal for large-cross-section, non-circular, and long-distance municipal drainage pipelines, the assessed technology achieved three critical breakthroughs:
· 01. Synergistic Innovation in Material Formulation and Structure: Developed a specialized PVC-U formulation for profiles with high strength, high toughness, and exceptional deformation resistance. This synergistic integration of material formulation and structural design significantly enhances the hoop load-bearing capacity of the lining, meeting the demands for long-term use under complex conditions.
· 02. Independent R&D of Specialized Equipment: Engineered a complete set of mobile spiral winding renewal equipment, successfully overcoming the challenges of trenchless renewal for large, non-circular, and long-distance pipelines, while enabling automated and standardized construction operations.
· 03. Comprehensive Construction Process System: Developed a full suite of construction technologies for complex scenarios, including lateral reinstatement (branch opening), limiting support, and grouting. A full-process quality control system was established to effectively guarantee engineering safety and construction quality.
Currently, this technology has been successfully deployed in municipal drainage projects in Zibo, Chengdu, and Cape Town (South Africa), yielding substantial economic, social, and environmental benefits, and showcasing broad prospects for wider global application.
Industry Exchange: Exploring the Future of Trenchless Renewal Following the assessment, Edmund Luksch, Global Chief Scientist of 5ELEM Nuodao, shared insights with the experts on the current state of urban underground pipeline networks in Europe and the Americas, alongside the latest advancements and future trends in trenchless technology. The experts engaged in profound discussions on topics such as ultra-large diameter pipeline renewal, adaptation to complex working conditions, and the establishment of industry standards, offering valuable suggestions for the technology's future optimization and promotion.
As a global leader in trenchless pipeline renewal, 5ELEM Nuodao is consistently driven by technological innovation. Passing the MOHURD technology assessment serves as authoritative recognition of the company's R&D capabilities and provides an internationally advanced solution for the renewal of ultra-large municipal drainage pipelines. Moving forward, 5ELEM Nuodao will continue to delve into trenchless renewal technologies, leveraging its world-leading technological prowess to safeguard urban water infrastructure and empower the high-quality development of municipal infrastructure.