The World Economic Forum’s annual Global Risks Report reveals that water shortage poses the third most serious threat against social stability – coming in right behind economic volatility and unemployment/underemployment. The world’s water supply has been greatly affected by a variety of factors including the growing population, developing economies and climate change. Companies, advocacy groups and governments are all seeking new ways to conserve and sustain this limited natural resource. Plastic resins can play a vital role in combating this global crisis.
Farmer checking tube (photo: Dow)
One major component in the water scarcity issue is irrigation. According to the US Department of Agriculture, irrigated farms account for nearly 40%, or € 85.4 (US $118.5) billion, of the value of the country’s agricultural production. In 2007, there were nearly 23 million hectares (57 million acres) of irrigated lands in the US. With such astounding numbers, the technologies used to water crops begin to play a major role in how a country manages its water supply. Traditional irrigation methods, such as centre pivots, lateral moves and sprinkler irrigation, use high pressure systems to flush water onto crops. This system requires a lot of energy and in many cases, uses more water than needed. While farmers may see positive results, traditional irrigation methods can lead to overwatering, which can result in crop diseases, poor crop yield, evaporation and run-off.
Micro irrigation may serve as one of the ideal solutions for crops and landscapes that lack sufficient moisture. Micro irrigation, also known as drip irrigation, is a technology that transports minimal water and necessary nutrients through plastic pipes directly to a crop’s roots. The system offers a variety of benefits for farmers seeking cost-cutting measures as well as the opportunity to conserve water. This irrigation method gives plants the precise amount of water needed and enables farmers to maintain plants for healthy crop yields. Additionally, micro irrigation requires less maintenance when compared to watering systems, such as centre pivots, when installed properly.
Globally, agriculture accounts for 70% of the consumption of freshwater resources, and on average, 42% of total water abstraction in Europe is used for agriculture, reports the European Union’s 2010 edition of the Eurostat Statistic book “Environmental Statistics and Accounts in Europe”. Using micro irrigation instead of traditional methods helps farmers conserve precious water, resources and money. The plastic resins used to create long-lasting, high-quality irrigation products help improve the system’s strength and durability, generating pipes that withstand handling, installation and almost anything Mother Nature may throw at them.
Plastic resins in micro irrigation systems
Dow offers a portfolio of resins to help make micro irrigation possible for farmers. “Fingerprint” polyethylene (PE) resins are said to demonstrate significant dart impact resistance and improved Elmendorf tear properties in the machine direction. These resins offer good processability, tensile strength, toughness, stress crack resistance and slow crack growth resistance. As a result of the resins’ high-performing composition, Fingerprint can also lead to fewer leaks and cracks in tubing and tape, potentially lowering maintenance costs and minimising water loss, says Dow.
Beyond the resins’ performance capabilities, Fingerprint can also be identified by a special tracer element that helps Dow constantly evaluate and improve quality, consistency and performance attributes. Some performance highlights include flexural toughness, environmental stress crack resistance (ESCR), slow crack growth (SCG) resistance, impact and puncture resistance, burst strength and increased tape and tubing life cycle.
Dow’s Fingerprint portfolio offers two different resins that have been developed with specific characteristics in mind for micro irrigation applications in agriculture and landscaping industries, including: Fingerprint DFDA 7510 linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) resin suitable for tubing in orchards, vineyards and landscaping; Fingerprint DFDC 7525 MDPE resins suited for micro irrigation tape for a broad range of row crops.
With 80 to 90% of all consumptive water used in the US coming from irrigated agriculture, Dow claims that Fingerprint resins help to give farmers the technologies to combat the threat of water instability. Using micro irrigation and selecting a plastic tubing system made with high-performance resins can increase crop yields, help save money and support efforts in water conservation.
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