Advance your UV LED operations

Over the years, Cured-In-Place Pipe (CIPP) technology has evolved exponentially. One of the most significant advancements, championed by RSM Lining Supplies, is the rapid progression of UV LED curing technology.

The first UV CIPP lining systems were developed back in 1990, offering faster curing times and enhanced strength in comparison to traditional hot water, steam, or ambient cure methods. However, early UV solutions still had inherent limitations: standard UV GRP liners are only suitable for straight runs and single diameters, meaning they cannot accommodate bends or pipes with varying diameters. In addition, the large site footprint, high energy consumption and resulting carbon emissions associated with the curing method, highlighted the requirement for a more sustainable approach. Furthermore, the substantial upfront investment in curing equipment posed a significant challenge for contractors.

Collectively, these constraints paved the way for a new generation of technology and thus, UV LED cure was born.

UV LED curing has fast become the most progressive, versatile curing method within the sewer rehabilitation market - offering a fast, safe, and simplified process with a significantly lower site footprint than all other curing techniques. It is uniquely capable of curing both traditional UV GRP liners and felt liners impregnated with a UV LED resin, providing contractors with greater flexibility across a wide range of site conditions.

Offering considerable benefits, UV LED technology significantly reduces curing times, improving contractor productivity and enabling multiple installations per day. Its lightweight and portable equipment is perfect for limited access sites, with much lower energy consumption than traditional UV systems resulting in significantly lower carbon emissions, therefore minimising site footprint.

Back in 2018 RSM partnered with Sewertronics to bring a new era of UV LED curing technology to the UK market. Today, RSM supplies both the SpeedyLight+ and SpeedyLight+ VX Systems, which have been widely adopted by the industry. 

The compact SpeedyLight+ VX system is an ideal entry level system for contractors starting out with UV LED technologies. Available with either 25 metres or 40 metres of cable to allow contractors to tailor their purchase to suit their individual requirements, the system is designed for versatility, portability, and ease of use. Suitable for pipes up to 225mm in diameter, it fits perfectly into hard-to-reach areas and requires limited engineers to operate. Its integrated CCTV camera ensures clear visibility during installation, and its curing head navigates bends up to 90°. The system is compatible with UV GRP liners and felt liners impregnated with either of RSM’s UV LED resins.

The full-size SpeedyLight+ has the additional capacity to cure liners in diameters up to 600mm. With curing speeds from 1.3 metres per minute, it can negotiate bends of up to 90° and cures both standard UV GRP liners and felt liners impregnated with RSM’s UV LED resins.

Over the past year, RSM has collaborated closely with Sewertronics to further enhance the system, focusing specifically on the development of an improved cable reel. Customer feedback plays a vital role in RSM’s continual development process, and although the SpeedyLight+ is widely praised by most users, some had reported occasional issues with the cable kinking during installation. These kinks could slow the curing process, impacting overall productivity, and in some cases resulting in additional costs associated with re-ending the cable or shortening it, ultimately reducing the maximum installation length of the system. 

To address these challenges, Sewertronics & RSM have introduced a new cable upgrade designed to eliminate these frustrations and optimise system performance. The upgraded cable incorporates a reinforced internal rod within the cable wall, providing the rigidity needed to smoothly guide the curing head through the pipe whilst maintaining full airflow. This design significantly reduces the risk of kinking, enhancing long-term durability and supporting consistently efficient installations with optimum productivity. As before, the system is available with 50m, 70m or 100m cable lengths, allowing you to select the option that best suits your requirements.

RSM offer two types of resin suitable for UV LED cure – UV LED Vinylester & UV LED LT. Both are styrene free (eliminating any odours during installation) and supplied as single-component resins – removing the requirement for mixing with hardener. They can either be factory impregnated by RSM’s experienced team or impregnated on site. Each resin delivers excellent mechanical properties, whilst UV LED LT additionally offers an IKT-tested leak tight finish, bonding directly to the host pipe to resist infiltration post-installation.

Phil Steele, RSM’s Sales Director, remarked: “As part of our continuous commitment to product quality, further development is already underway. We are currently undergoing testing and development processes to enable our UV LED LT resin to undertake the esteemed CP655 test, moderated by the WRc Group. This development will enable us to offer a fully certified UV LED system capable of forming a robust, reliable, leak-tight seal under challenging conditions. With UK water authorities placing increasing focus on infiltration reduction, a CP655-tested UV LED resin will offer significant value, improving network efficiency, reducing operational costs, and mitigating environmental impact.”

RSM’s ongoing investment in UV LED curing technology continues to accelerate industry standards. By delivering faster curing, lower energy use, and highly adaptable equipment and material options, RSM are helping contractors achieve greater efficiency than ever before. The recent introduction of the upgraded SpeedyLight+ cable reel addresses previous installation challenges by reducing kinking and improving durability to allow contractors to maximise productivity. With new developments on the horizon, including the forthcoming CP655-tested UV LED LT resin, the company remains firmly at the forefront of UV LED innovation in the CIPP sector. 

This article appeared in Issue 333 of Drain Trader magazine, January 2026. You can view it here.