About Florian

As global product manager for Infrastructure, Florian has been an integral part of GF Piping Systems since 2016. He oversees critical tasks such as global portfolio management, technical product ownership, market cultivation, innovation, and customer support and training.

With a background in industrial engineering and innovation management, Florian combines his technical expertise with market support and sales efforts to drive growth potential within the company. His interest lies in the future of plastic in piping, fittings, and jointing technologies. Florian actively contributes to the development of plastic piping systems in the renewable energy market, including applications like hydrogen, geothermal energy, and district heating. Additionally, he aims to establish polyethylene (PE) as a leading material in the market.

As the leading flow solutions provider for the safe and sustainable transport of fluids, GF Piping Systems creates connections for life. The division focuses on industry-leading leak-free piping solutions for numerous demanding end-market segments. Its strong focus on customer centricity and innovation is reflected by its global sales, service, and manufacturing footprint and its award-winning portfolio, including fittings, valves, pipes, automation, fabrication, and jointing technologies.

What major trends are you seeing in the piping systems industry and how is GF Piping Systems addressing the growing demand for sustainability and environmentally friendly solutions?

A key global trend is the escalating need for clean drinking water and energy-efficient solutions for both residential and commercial structures. At GF Piping Systems, we’re dedicated to making flow sustainable.

Our core objective is to guarantee that our customers have access to continuous, sustainable supplies of water and gas within a landscape marked by dwindling resources. We’re committed to eliminating concerns over safety, preventing leaks, and averting other potential environmental issues. GF Piping Systems’ commitment to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals has earned us spots in top sustainability rankings in the last years, i.e. by the Financial Times and other renowned journals.

In addition to our efforts in developing Environmental Product Declarations and Life Cycle Assessments to enhance the transparency of our offerings, we are proactively adapting our portfolio to ensure the safe transport of hydrogen to align with our commitment to sustainability and innovation. 

Can you highlight some of the most innovative products in the utility fittings segment that GF Piping Systems is currently focusing on, and how these innovations benefit your customers??

We are at the forefront of innovation in utility fittings, particularly with our ELGEF Plus Y-Tapping Saddle. This Electrofusion saddle boasts a unique Y-design that significantly reduces pressure loss, ensuring efficient operation. This innovation not only simplifies the installation process but also enhances safety and durability.

Another standout is our NeoFlow polymer valve from GF Piping Systems. As part of a pressure management system, this Pressure Regulating Valve efficiently reduces non-revenue water. NeoFlow acts as an anti-aging solution for water networks, curbing flow rates from leaks and minimising stress, leading to extended asset life and reduced burst rates.

Implementing pressure management in water utilities not only conserves water but also preserves energy. By controlling pressure, less water requires treatment and pumping, resulting in significant CO2 emission savings. A mere 5% reduction in annual water leakages in the US could save approximately 225,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

What is your vision for the future of utility fittings and piping systems, and how do you see GF Piping Systems evolving to meet the challenges and opportunities ahead?

The vision of GF Piping Systems is to become a global leader in sustainability and innovation, providing high-quality solutions for the safe and sustainable transport of fluids and gases. But it's much more than that. It's about the full solution including machines and tools, not a single product or system. It's about solving a problem, innovating sustainably, and creating added value for our customers.

With the recent transition of Uponor Infra to GF Piping Systems, our division has broadened its offering with new product lines and services including Flowise and Stormwise, comprehensive solutions for drinking water and stormwater management.

With our people as our most important asset and our focus on innovation and sustainability we are resilient and prepared to overcome the current and future global challenges. 

Florian Albrecht will be speaking on Day 1 at the Innovation and Extrusion Theatre.