From supply to drainage: GF strengthens its role as a complete partner for building water systems

In modern buildings, hydraulic systems operate as a complex ecosystem that must perform reliably, safely and quietly for decades. While often invisible to occupants, drainage systems play a critical role in overall building performance, influencing acoustic comfort, long-term maintenance requirements, and regulatory compliance. With its portfolio of water supply and drainage solutions, GF – with Uponor as its product brand – reinforces its position as a partner capable of covering a broad range of building installations, offering engineers, developers, and installers an integrated approach supported by the expertise and technical support of a single manufacturer.

For engineers responsible for designing building systems, selecting a drainage solution goes far beyond simply conveying wastewater. Key considerations include acoustic performance, fire safety, chemical resistance, and the material’s behavior under elevated temperatures. European standards such as EN 1451 for drainage systems and EN 14366-1 for acoustic testing, along with DIN 4109 and VDI 4100 for acoustic performance in buildings, set strict requirements that installations must meet, particularly in residential buildings where acoustic comfort has become a defining quality factor.

Durability is another essential consideration

Drainage stacks for instance typically run through multiple apartments and remain embedded within the building structure, making future interventions complex and costly. As a result, engineers increasingly prioritize systems capable of delivering long service life, high impact resistance, chemical resistance across a wide pH range, and strong thermal stability, helping reduce the risk of failures and costly maintenance throughout the building lifecycle.

Broader portfolio with drainage solutions

GF’s drainage portfolio, including systems such as Silenta Premium, Silenta 3A and HT-PP, addresses these challenges with pipes and fittings manufactured from high-performance polypropylene (PP). This material combines lightweight handling with robustness and resistance to demanding operating conditions, while enabling secure connections and efficient installation, features valued by engineers and installers alike in both residential and commercial projects.

By integrating drainage solutions, GF is expanding its overall portfolio in building technology, which also includes water supply and plumbing systems. By doing so, GF enables professionals to work with fully compatible and coherent solutions under one technological umbrella. This integrated approach simplifies system design, reduces the risk of incompatibility between components and streamlines project planning and installation.

With the global expertise of GF and the specialist know-how of Uponor, professionals benefit from dedicated technical support across every phase of the project — from design and specification to on-site installation. Together, these capabilities position GF as a trusted partner for managing the complete flow of water within buildings, from supply to drainage.

“In today’s buildings, water systems must deliver far more than basic functionality. Engineers are looking for solutions that combine acoustic performance, regulatory compliance, and long-term reliability. By offering both water supply and drainage systems within one portfolio, GF enables professionals to design building installations with greater confidence and efficiency, supported by a single technology partner.” says Gerrit Schmidt, Head of Commercial Europe.

More information about GF’s drainage product portfolio here.