Sectors
The different applications of stainless steel in multiple sectors have been made possible, over the years, due to its chemical and mechanical properties.
Viferinox, thanks to its accumulated experience through the years, has managed to establish itself and its products in the main industries listed below, constantly paying close attention to innovation within the industry.
Chemical and Petrochemical Sector
Thanks to significant investments made in recent years, Viferinox can provide an increasingly essential range of products for the manufacturers of the following refinery plants: pressure, petroleum, biochemical, chemical reactors, heat exchangers and for the generation of electrical energy. In these types of plants the operating conditions for steel are very demanding due to the aggressiveness of the treated liquids and high operating temperatures. Therefore, stainless steel is present as one of the best solutions in avoiding breakage and excessive maintenance due to corrosion. All materials are thoroughly tested and accompanied by all necessary European and American standards certifications (PED Directive 97/23/EC, VSR, EN 13445, EN 13480, ASME, DIN).
Industrial Plants
Today Viferinox, taking full advantage of its extensive warehouse, can satisfy all requests relating to the industrial plant sector. The versatility of stainless steel allows for a wide range of applications in numerous divisions: from air-conditioning to heating, transportation of various kinds of liquids to sanitation systems, filtration to pipeline construction. With the availability of pipes and fittings even of larger diameters, Viferinox also supplies to plants of the paper and air/vapor industries.
Water Treatment
The use of Viferinox products in water treatment plants is extremely diverse and therefore the company can satisfy every application need in this field. Due to the constant pursuit for innovation, accumulated experience and a successful system of supply for over the last 10 years, the company now covers majority of the needs related to the following types of plants: civil and industrial wastewater treatment, sewage treatment, filtration systems and mobile water purification units. Water treatment is an industry in which stainless steel is increasingly required due to the fact materials such as PE, HDPE, PVC and carbon steel do not always satisfy the need for corrosion resistance. Over the last several years the European Union has provided funding to countries where potable water systems are absent or obsolete in order to allow them to reach the required level of community standards.
Food Processing Plants
The supply of DIN 11851 fittings allows the company to become trading partners with the most prominent companies in the beverage and canning industries and the food and dairy industry in general. In addition to robustness and functionality considerations, the main reason for the widespread use of stainless steel in the food sector is related to its hygienic properties. It is important to note that stainless steel is one of the few metals that was incorporated into the Minister of Health Decree of 21 March 1973 on "Hygiene rules for packaging, containers and utensils intended to come into contact with foodstuffs or personal-use products" along with some plastics, rubbers, cellulose, paper/cardboard and glass.
Pharmaceutical Sector
Thanks to its attention to detail and precision of workmanship, Viferinox provides custom made pipes and fittings modified specifically for pharmaceutical processing machines. Also due to its accumulated know-how experience, Viferinox has all the components, as well as PED and ISO certifications, for the construction of hospital, biopharmaceutical and cosmetic facilities for major corporate groups operating in the industry. As noted in the food industry stainless steel is also chosen in this field due to its hygienic properties. The fittings used have extremely smooth, low level corrugation finish which fulfills the specific requirements of these systems.
Shipbuilding Industry
The dominant material in shipbuilding is steel, with extensive use in the structure (hull, deck) and fitting out of the ship (railings, superstructures etc.) and in the pipelines. Relying on fundamental experience gained from the collaboration with national and international leaders in the industry, Viferinox today provides solutions for the discharge of water, supply and transport of liquids for passenger, merchant and military vessels, private yachts and offshore projects. Stainless steel 316L is often preferred in the shipbuilding industry as it is substantially more resistant to the corrosive marine environment.