With a proven track record of supplying Cooling Water Piping to large-scale Energy projects in South-East Asia, PT RPC Indonesia was contracted to design, engineer, manufacture and supply the advanced GRP Cooling Water piping system for the BHCCPP-1 Power Plant, an impressive 450MW combined cycle plant built in Sumbawa Island, Indonesia.
RPC’s scope included the supply and manufacture from our PT RPC Indonesia plant, project managed by our RPC Singapore team, and designed by our team at RPC in Sydney, Australia. This a great example of our One RPC approach, where the capabilities across our company work together to provide our customers with the best engineered solutions available for complex projects.
RPC supplied approx. 900m of above-ground PN6 GRP pipes in various sizes from DN50 to DN1100, including associated GRP fittings, GRP vertical guide pipe supports and rubber-lined pump anchored spools. Engineering deliverables included the Design Report, Piping Flexibility Analysis, FEA Modelling for the branch joints, CAD Model, layout GA, Isometric drawings, erection procedures and the O&M Manual.
The plant was built as part of PT AMMAN’s strategy to increase the power supply to support its growing operations, including mining, processing, and smelting, in West Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province.
This was a complex project with a tight delivery deadline but working closely with our customers, JEL and PT JEL, RPC successfully delivered all components on time, significantly contributing to the projects overall success.
John brings deep and hands-on experience in the Defence sector after a career in the Australian Army. Post Army, John has held Business Development roles with EOS, Thales, CAT and XTEK before establishing his own consultancy working across both Land and Sea Defence capability.
Based in Canberra, John is available for all Defence-related enquiries regarding RPC’s Land and Sea capabilities and will be attending the Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney in November.
Welcome John!
Engineered in Australia, our advanced GRP solutions offer a superior, long-lasting alternative to traditional brick and concrete structures. Designed for a 100+ year asset life, they deliver superior durability and corrosion resistance, require less maintenance, and significantly reduce safety risks related to deep excavations, confined spaces, and lengthy installations—making them an innovative and efficient choice for asset managers and infrastructure owners.
Water Authorities including Yarra Valley Water, Melbourne Water, Queensland Urban Utilities, Brisbane Water, Sydney Water along with Watercare in New Zealand have all adopted GRP as a solution for large diameter access/Maintenance Shafts.
Acting as ‘insitu-cast-in place’ we have engineered and manufactured access/Maintenance Shafts up to 7.5m in diameter and over 100m deep.
Celebrating 50-years in business, we’re proud of the role our unrivalled expertise in GRP engineered solutions has played in enhancing project efficiency and safety — and even prouder of the partnerships we’ve built along the way with leading contractors and authorities.
As infrastructure needs continue to evolve, RPC remains committed to innovating and supporting sustainable, high-performance solutions for the next generation of projects.
For our customer, Voist Alpine Industries (VAI), RPC engineered and manufactured two wet gas scrubbers which were 8.2m in diameter and 26m high and an exhaust stack that measured a whopping 3.8m in diameter and 100m high. These are the largest GRP structures ever manufactured in Australia. They were designed and engineered in Seven Hills, NSW, and manufactured on our bespoke large diameter mobile GRP winder. The winder was relocated to Whyalla and installed near the site to manufacture these structures.
That winder is still in service at our Corio facility in Victoria. Today the winder is involved in manufacturing large diameter Infrastructure project requirements such as large diameter maintenance holes and water and wastewater piping and will soon be further upgraded to the latest technology.
No other company in Australia can engineer and manufacture large diameter GRP structures like RPC. With a successful 50-year track record we are the go-to company for the Mining, Water, Wastewater and Energy sectors.
RPC is a leader in the design, engineering and manufacturing of Glass Reinforced Polymer (GRP), and associated products and services operating across five countries and supported by five production facilities. We have a successful 50-year history of creating outstanding solutions for multiple sectors including Infrastructure, Water & Wastewater, Transport/Mobility, Defence and Asset Services/Condition Assessments.
To enhance our operational performance and provide a more integrated experience for our customers we operate as One RPC, a unified platform that brings together all aspects of our business under a streamlined team.
What is One RPC?
One RPC is a strategic initiative designed to further integrate our engineering, manufacturing and operations, standardise our processes, and enhance collaboration across our group and business sectors. By consolidating our expertise, technologies, and capabilities into a single cohesive framework we provide more efficient, consistent, and innovative solutions to meet the evolving needs of our customers.
What This Means for You as a Valued Customer –
- Consistency: A standardised approach to safety, quality, service, and communication across all our locations and business sectors.
- Innovation: A more collaborative environment that drives advanced engineering solutions tailored to your needs and those of the communities you serve.
- Efficiency: Optimised processes and systems that improve planning and project execution and enhance operational performance.
- Access & Communications: A unified communications platform for your enquiries to improve customer engagement and support.
Our Commitment to You
With One RPC, we reaffirm our dedication to delivering world-class solutions backed by 50-years of expertise in engineering and manufacturing advanced Composite solutions. Whether you’re engaging with our teams in Australia, NZ, India or South-East Asia, you can expect the same exceptional level of service and commitment.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with you under the One RPC umbrella.
Together, we are One RPC.
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Engineer of the Year – Simon Karpeles
Engineering Excellence for large Scale GRP Infrastructure Manufacturing of the Year –
Central Interceptor project (NZ) for the design, supply and installation of large diameter cascade shafts/maintenance shafts
Simon Karpeles – Engineer of the Year
A huge congratulations to our very own Simon Karpeles, Principal Engineer, who was recognised for his outstanding contribution to the Australian composites industry with the Engineer of the Year award.
With more than 30-years of experience in FRP and GRP engineering, Simon has led groundbreaking work across the water and wastewater, mining, power generation, and civil infrastructure sectors. His expertise in design, fabrication, project management, and quality systems has shaped many of the industry’s landmark projects.
Simon is not only a technical leader but a mentor and valued member of the RPC family. This award is a fitting tribute to a remarkable career and the ongoing impact Simon continues to make.
Central Interceptor (NZ) – Engineering Excellence for large Scale GRP Infrastructure Manufacturing of the Year
RPC was also honoured with the Engineering Excellence for large Scale GRP Infrastructure Manufacturing award of the Year for our work on the Central Interceptor project in New Zealand – one of the Southern Hemisphere’s largest wastewater infrastructure upgrades.
Over four years, we delivered eight large-scale GRP Cascade Shafts, working in partnership with the Ghella Abergeldie Joint Venture (GAJV) for Watercare Services Ltd. Designed in Seven Hills, R&D works at Broadmeadow and manufactured in Batam, Indonesia and Corio, Victoria, this project showcased our ability to engineer and deliver complex, high-performance composite solutions on a massive scale. A true example of our One RPC team approach.
A Milestone in our 50th Year
Tony Caristo, RPC MD said, ”As RPC celebrates 50-years in the composites industry in 2025, these awards reflect the dedication, technical depth, and innovation that continue to define who we are.
A big thank-you to Kerryn Caufield and Composites Australia for all you do for the Composites industry and for these awards, and congratulations to everyone across our RPC family who contributed to these achievements. This is a moment for all of us to be proud.”
L to R: Kerryn Caufield, CEO Composites Australia with Simon Karpeles; Gavin Engelsman, Tony Caristo and Simon Karpeles; Central Interceptor project – May Road Final Installation.
The post WHAT A NIGHT! RPC WINS TWO MAJOR HONOURS AT THE 2025 COMPOSITES AUSTRALIA INDUSTRY AWARDS -1/5/2025 first appeared on RPC Technologies.]]>Innovation is about turning ideas into practical solutions that enhance outcomes, improve lives, and create a more sustainable future. Whether it’s designing bespoke solutions for Defence, Transport and the Water and Wastewater sectors, or refining manufacturing techniques to improve efficiency, RPC remains committed to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
Our team of engineers, designers, and technicians continuously seek improvement and new ways to enhance performance, reduce environmental impact, and increase durability in everything we create. From lightweight, corrosion-resistant materials to cutting-edge manufacturing processes, innovation is what enables us to deliver world-class solutions for Australia’s most critical industries.
Our unique and innovative non-destructive testing technology, UltraAnalytix®, also keeps current FRP critical assets safe and operating at a capacity that returns significant benefits to Asset owners and managers and the communities they serve.
As we mark World Creativity and Innovation Day 2025, we celebrate the power of human ingenuity and the role of engineering and manufacturing in shaping a better, more resilient world.
Reinforced Plastic / Composites Pty Ltd commenced operations in Australia in 1975 with the original facility established by Enrico Piccioli at the Powers Road, Seven Hills Facility for Transfield. The Head Office for RPC is still in Seven Hills, across the road from the original facility.
Enrico Piccioli was a pioneering force in the Australian composites industry. An Italian engineer born in South Africa; he earned his Doctorate in Composites from Milan University before being recruited by Transfield in the early 1970s. At just 25-years-old he was tasked with building a company that would set the benchmark for reinforced composites in Australia. Under Piccioli’s leadership, RPC set new industry standards and laid the foundations in composites manufacturing and engineering in the infrastructure sector, a legacy that continues to shape the composite Industry today.
RPC’s commitment to engineering excellence has defined the development of Australia’s composite manufacturing sector, delivering critical infrastructure and technology solutions that continue to shape industries including transport, water and wastewater, mining, infrastructure, defence and asset services. Beyond its technical achievements, RPC has played a vital role in advancing regional industrial capabilities, creating skilled local employment and strengthening Australia’s sovereign engineering and manufacturing capacity. RPC has also expanded its footprint beyond Australia, establishing a strong presence in Southeast Asia and India, where it continues to drive advanced engineered solutions and industry leadership.
Tony Caristo, Managing Director of RPC since 1997, said, “It has been a privilege to partner with our valued customers for 50-years. We take immense pride not only in the advancements we’ve made in composite engineering and manufacturing but also in the skilled jobs we’ve created and our contribution to Australia’s industrial capability. As RPC looks to the next 50-years, our focus remains on pioneering new composite solutions, expanding our capabilities and supporting the next generation of engineers and manufacturers who will drive the industry forward.”
Enrico Piccioli
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At RPC we are proud of the incredible women who help drive our success every day—women from all walks of life, backgrounds, and roles, on the factory floor through to leadership positions. From engineers to managers and support staff, the women of RPC bring invaluable skills, perspectives, and dedication to every aspect of our manufacturing process. Their hard work and commitment are critical to our continued growth and success as a company.
International Women’s Day is a reminder of the importance of inclusion and diversity in the workplace. Statistics show that within the manufacturing industry, women make up the smaller portion of the workforce. At RPC we strive to create a truly supportive, family-friendly and empowering environment for women to grow and succeed.
RPC’s scope of work included the engineering, manufacture, delivery, installation and commission for odour control units, ductwork, covers and vent stack – a project that uniquely showcases our breadth of skills and capacity across all requirements for odour control projects.
Working with our customer AdaptJV; (Sydney Water, UGL and WSP) we supplied and installed three TR36-5 bio-trickling filters; four RPC2650D activated carbon units; GRP ducting ranging from DN100 to DN1200 (total 1750m) and dampers collecting foul air from the liquid stream (inlet works and primary treatment) and from the solids stream (dewatering plant); associated fans and instrumentation; and more than 1,500m2 of flat trafficable aluminum 5kPa covers and GRP non-trafficable covers.
The 42,900 litres/hr of foul air is collected from various areas of the plant then transported to the OCF through the GRP ducting network before venting out to the atmosphere through the 1.2m diameter x 18-metre-high GRP stack.
This varied and complex critical project beautifully showcased RPC’s engineering, manufacturing and installation credentials.
RPC’s MD, Tony Caristo said, “We are very proud to have been involved in delivering this challenging and vital complex project which commenced at the beginning of Covid-19 to the growing communities in NW Sydney.”
The post RPC Completes Major St Marys WRRF project – 26.2.2025 first appeared on RPC Technologies.]]>
Tony has been Managing Director of RPC Technologies since 2002. He began his career as a Civil Engineer with Transfield Australia in the 1980s and later worked as General Manager of PT Trans Bakrie, an Indonesian joint venture, for seven years. In the mid-1990s, he became General Manager of Transfield Corrosion Protection, which Including the Transfield RPC division and later converting to RPC Technologies Group in 2002. Under his leadership, and working with major Primes and Government, RPC has grown into an industrial powerhouse across Australia, South East Asia and India delivering advanced composite engineering and innovative manufacturing solutions across diverse sectors, including Defence, Water and Wastewater, Transport and Asset Services.
There is no doubt Tony’s exceptional experience will be a great benefit to both Composites Australia and the industry as a whole.
Every day, around your home, neighbourhood and city, some form of engineering has played a part in almost everything you touch or engage with. RPC celebrates and recognises the vital role engineers play in making ideas and visions a working reality and shaping our world for a better, more sustainable future.
RPC was born from engineering excellence and it remains at the core of everything we do. From advanced composite solutions to bespoke, cutting-edge manufacturing, our engineering teams continue to push boundaries, delivering amazing outcomes for Australia’s critical Water, Wastewater, Transport, mobility, Defence, and Asset Services sectors.
This year’s theme, ‘Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Engineering’, resonates deeply with our commitment to creating innovative, durable, and environmentally responsible solutions. Our engineers are making a real difference delivering outcomes to projects that make communities safer, healthier and more efficient.
Join us in celebrating the power of engineering to shape a better tomorrow – every day!