PLASTIC POOL COVERS SAVING WATER AND ENERGY AROUND AUSTRALIA
One of the best environmental uses of plastics is one rarely thought of: and that is in swimming pool covers. Plastic pool covers are a common sight in backyards around Australia and Qenos polyethylene (PE) has been used to manufacture Australian plastic pool covers for many years.
“Bubble” type pool covers are made of specially designed and manufactured layers of PE plastic film. This film needs to be durable and long lasting and outdoor swimming pools present a challenging chemical and physical environment. The polymer properties of PE film make it very well suited for these challenges. The PE film can be UV stabilised to cope with long term sun exposure and it is inherently resistant to damage from long term contact with pool chemicals.
Australians have become more water conscious in recent years – and swimming pool covers are now an important and widespread part of meeting water restrictions and managing our precious water resources. For an uncovered domestic pool in Melbourne evaporation can cause an annual water loss of 55,000 litres. A properly fitted plastic pool cover can reduce this loss by 38,500 litres. That’s 38,500 litres per pool that won’t need to be topped up each year.
As a local supplier, Qenos has a long history of working collaboratively with the Australian plastics industry to meet local needs. Alkathene® PE film grades from Qenos offer exceptional resistance to chemical degradation allowing covers to stay strong and flexible in years of use in swimming pool environments. PE film is not only strong but also lightweight ensuring that plastic pool covers are manageable in everyday use.
It’s not just water being saved when plastic pool covers are used. With less water lost through evaporation there is also less loss of the chemicals used in keeping the pool clean and healthy. There is also less energy used running pumps as there are less hours of filtration required.
Plastic pool covers – of the PE film bubble type - also have an insulating role and a positive heating effect on the pool water when the sun shines. This allows for the pool water to be kept warmer with less additional heating – saving more energy in not running solar heating pumps or gas heating units.
Australian plastics helping Australians conserve water and energy – and enjoy their backyard pool.
Film Extrusion Grades