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Transcripción del abstract original del autor: With 2.5 MT/y of HDPE (High Density PolyEthylene) production capacity worldwide, including 1.5 MT/y in Europe, BPSolvay is the biggest producer of HDPE compounds for pipe application and the world leader in this business. For major gas companies in Western Europe, HDPE represents more than 90 % of all new distribution networks in the pressure range up to 10 bars. HDPE pipes are environmental friendly and inert for any living organism. Pipes and fittings are produced from HDPE without scraps, with minimum energy consumption. They provide at least 50 years of service life and then can be completely recycled to produce other plastic objects. At the very end of its life cycle HDPE still contains 80% of the energy content of the ethylene and can be used for energy production with no generation of toxic vapors or disposable waste. HDPE pipes are the best material to ensure safe pipelines for gas distribution as it is demonstrated by case studies on earthquakes; they are the obvious choice when hazards and harm to people must be put to a minimum. HDPE pipes are a reliable option that provides an excellent cost/benefit comparison with respect to other materials, not only for installation but also for operation of the pipeline. The use of HDPE pipes in gas distribution has been fostered by the introduction on the market of PE100 from BPSolvay Polyethylene. Since then BPSolvay Polyethylene has already sold more than 500.000 T of PE100 in more than 50 countries worldwide. PE100 can be proposed today as the best material to produce reliable and environmental friendly gas pipes.