Corinth Pipeworks wins key Adriatica Pipeline contracts

Greek manufacturer Corinth Pipeworks has been awarded a series of high-value contracts by Snam, Italy’s largest energy infrastructure company, to supply over 180 kilometers of steel pipelines for the Adriatica Pipeline Project. These contracts signify one of the most important developments in Italy’s natural gas network in the past decade. The Adriatica Pipeline will serve as a pivotal corridor for gas transportation across the Italian peninsula, while also paving the way for hydrogen integration into national and European grids.

Pipeline types & advanced specifications

The awarded contracts include the manufacture and delivery of two main pipe types, 48-inch-diameter HSAW (Helical Submerged Arc Welded) pipes and 56-inch-diameter LSAW (Longitudinal Submerged Arc Welded) pipes. These pipes will be produced with high-strength steel grade L450ME, ensuring durability and pressure resistance. Notably, the pipelines are designed and certified for safe transportation of up to 100% H₂, reflecting the European Union’s strategy to decarbonize energy transportation systems.

World-class production in Greece

All pipeline production will be carried out at Corinth Pipeworks’ cutting-edge facilities in Thisvi, Greece. These include internal flow efficiency liquid epoxy lining and an external three-layer polyethylene coating for corrosion protection. The facility’s adherence to advanced quality protocols and modern coating techniques underscores Corinth’s ability to deliver to exacting standards. The project further strengthens the role of Greece as a key manufacturing hub for Europe’s clean energy infrastructure.

Hydrogen-ready infrastructure for tomorrow

Corinth Pipeworks has been at the forefront of hydrogen-compatible pipe development. For the Adriatica Pipeline, a thorough qualification program was initiated to ensure reliability and safety in hydrogen transport. This testing program goes beyond standard ASME B31.12 certification, incorporating elastic-plastic fracture mechanics (rising-load) and slow strain rate tensile testing. These tests simulate real high-pressure gas conditions, ensuring long-term resilience and hydrogen embrittlement resistance of the steel pipes.

Future-proofing Europe’s gas networks

The Adriatica Pipeline will link southern to northern Italy, reinforcing national energy security while enabling Snam to gradually replace natural gas with renewable gases. This infrastructure project is part of Italy’s broader ambition to diversify its energy mix and achieve its carbon neutrality targets by 2050. By integrating hydrogen-ready infrastructure, the pipeline will accommodate evolving fuel compositions without costly retrofitting. Such strategic foresight supports a seamless transition from fossil to renewable fuels.

Partnership built on long-term trust

The collaboration between Corinth Pipeworks and Snam is not new. With the active support of Italian business partner Pipex, Corinth Pipeworks has long served as a trusted supplier for major pipeline developments in Italy. Ilias Bekiros, General Manager at Corinth Pipeworks, stated, “We are honoured to receive these contract awards that verify the long-lasting cooperation with Snam in developing Europe’s future energy network.” The continued trust placed in Corinth affirms its role as a dependable partner in critical European energy projects.

Supporting Europe’s hydrogen ecosystem

Snam has been proactively investing in hydrogen infrastructure as part of its Net Zero strategy. The Adriatica Pipeline is considered a backbone of Italy’s hydrogen future, forming part of the potential “Hydrogen Backbone” network envisioned across the EU. The selection of hydrogen-certified materials from Corinth Pipeworks ensures readiness for this cross-border hydrogen corridor, which will allow Italy to import and export renewable hydrogen within the European Energy Union.

A paradigm shift in steel pipe manufacturing

The use of advanced testing methodologies and cutting-edge metallurgy represents a tectonic shift in pipeline manufacturing. Corinth Pipeworks is not only meeting current technical demands but also anticipating future regulatory and performance benchmarks. The steel pipes being manufactured today for the Adriatica Pipeline serve as a testament to the firm’s commitment to innovation and excellence in an evolving energy landscape.

Key Takeaways

• Corinth Pipeworks will supply over 180 km of hydrogen-compatible pipelines to Snam for Italy’s Adriatica Pipeline Project.

• The steel pipes include 48” HSAW and 56” LSAW types, made with L450ME grade and certified for 100% H₂ transport.

• Production and advanced hydrogen testing are conducted in Thisvi, Greece, positioning Corinth as a leader in Europe’s green energy infrastructure.