New sales data from REHAU reveals a move towards flexible district heating design, with its CLIP-FLEX shroud increasing its share of REHAU shroud sales from 40% to over 75% in the UK over the course of 2025. The figures indicate that designers and installers are increasingly favouring adaptable, sustainable solutions as the UK accelerates its transition to low-carbon heat networks.
The CLIP-FLEX shroud is unique in that it offers a 22.5° range of motion in all directions, facilitating greater flexibility for both installers and designers when faced with complex ground conditions or constrained sites. Combined with flexible district heating pipework systems such as RAUVIPEX, the solution can work around the unique demands of a site, as opposed to a steel system which requires a much more angular and rigid network.
With low-carbon heating on the rise, powered by ambitious network targets. The industry is accelerating this transition by using innovative components like the CLIP-FLEX shroud, which provides enhanced flexibility, ease of installation and reliability.
Steve Richmond, Sales and Marketing Director at REHAU Water Technologies, said: “The move towards flexibility in district heat network design has been clear to us for a long time, but it’s great to see this reflected in the numbers. The increased awareness and adoption of low carbon heating of course plays a role, but the shift demonstrates clear trust in these new innovations developed on the back of decades of experience.
“It was designed not only with flexibility in mind, but safety, adaptability and efficiency. Our aim is to keep innovating, keep delivering solutions that are ahead of the curve, and keep supporting our customers to deliver quality heat networks.”
CLIP-FLEX, is manufactured with over 80% recycled material, boasts an externally certified watertightness rating of 0.3 bar, giving customers extra piece of mind for long-term reliability. For installers, the lack of hot works required brings the advantage of improved health and safety on site.
Another key area of improved health and safety is the use of 2KD foam cans with the shroud system. This technology is used to add PU foam insulation to the shroud, ensuring heat losses are minimised across the network. Traditionally PU foam has been supplied in bottles or bags where contractors are required to mix chemicals on site. The new cans are designed for ease-of-use, with activation triggered by rotating the base and shaking the can, removing the need for open mixing.
CLIP-FLEX also offers up to 20% more room for fittings and installations, due to a combination of compact shroud half-shells and integrated connecting branches. This means it can be used for all REHAU district heating pipes with outer diameters from 90 to 250 mm.
Installation of CLIP‑FLEX shrouds can be carried out by a mechanical or utility contractor who have completed REHAU’s installer training. This training ensures contractors have the knowledge and hands‑on guidance needed to install all REHAU systems correctly, with full support from REHAU throughout the process.
"We recognise that network professionals require flexibility and simplicity. To accelerate heat network deployment, innovating in line with feedback of all stakeholders is key. Shrouds are a vital component in all networks and an area the REHAU development team have not overlooked, ensuring functionality from not only a design perspective but also operational efficiency."
For more information on the CLIP-FLEX shroud, visit: https://water.rehau.com/uk-en/solutions-for-building-technology/district-heating/clip-flex-shroud
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