MLCP pipe is a strong choice for installers who need flexible, durable pipework for heating, water and retrofit projects.
Short for multilayer composite pipe, MLCP combines the handling benefits of plastic pipe with the stability of a metal layer. This makes it useful when pipework needs to be routed neatly, connected quickly and supported by a full range of press fittings, reducers, adaptors and tools.
At PressIT, you can shop MLCP pipe and fittings in popular sizes including 16mm, 20mm and 32mm, with options for non insulated coils, insulated coils, copper transition fittings, bends, tees, couplers, pipe clips and installation tools.
Browse the full MLCP and fittings collection for pipe, fittings, adaptors, tools and accessories.
What is MLCP Pipe Best Used For?
MLCP pipe is best used when you need a pipe system that is flexible to install, suitable for heating and water applications, and supported by reliable compatible fittings.
It is especially useful on jobs where long pipe runs, direction changes, retrofit routes or mixed pipe systems make rigid pipework more difficult to install.
Common Scenarios for Using MLCP Pipe
| Scenario | Why MLCP is useful | Product examples |
|---|---|---|
| Central heating pipework | Flexible coils can help installers route pipework neatly through floors, ceilings and service voids. | 16mm MLCP pipe, 20mm MLCP pipe, 32mm MLCP pipe |
| Underfloor heating and manifold feeds | MLCP is flexible, easy to route and available in practical coil lengths for continuous pipe runs. | Emmeti Gerpex 16x2 100m Coil, Emmeti Gerpex 20x2 200m Coil |
| Domestic hot and cold water | Compatible MLCP systems can be used for water installations when installed according to the correct system guidance. | PressIT 16x2.0 MLCP Coil, PressIT 20x2.0 MLCP Coil |
| Retrofit work | MLCP is useful where pipe needs to be routed around obstacles, through existing spaces or adapted to copper. | 16x2 to 15mm Copper Connector, 20x2 to 22mm Copper Connector, 32x3 to 28mm Copper Transition Fitting |
| Plant rooms and larger distribution runs | Larger MLCP sizes can help with main runs and distribution pipework where greater flow capacity is needed. | PressIT 32x3.0 MLCP Coil, 32x32 Straight Press Coupling |
| Chilled water and cooling pipework | MLCP pipe options are available for cooling and chilled water applications when used with compatible fittings. | Emmeti Gerpex 32x3 Coil, Gerpex 32x3 Blue Insulated Coil |
| Reducing from main runs to branch pipework | Reducer couplers and reducing tees make it easier to step down from a larger MLCP pipe to a smaller branch size. | 32x20 Reducer Coupling, 20x16 Reducer Coupling |
| Neat pipe support and clipping | Plastic flexi-hinged clips help keep pipe routes organised, supported and secure. | 19mm to 21mm Clip, 31.8mm to 35mm Clip |
When to Use 16mm MLCP Pipe
Use 16mm MLCP pipe for smaller heating and water routes where flexibility, neat installation and compact pipe sizing are important.
It is commonly suited to radiator drops, smaller branch pipework, underfloor heating, wall heating and domestic water pipe routes where 16mm is the correct design size.
- Best for smaller heating and water pipe runs.
- Useful where pipework needs to be routed through tighter spaces.
- Good for branch connections from larger pipework.
- Available in non insulated, insulated and conduit-protected options.
- Supported by couplers, bends, tees, stop ends, adaptors, copper transitions and tools.
Useful 16mm MLCP products:
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 100m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Red 100m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Blue 100m
- Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 16x2 - 100m
- Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 16x2 - 200m
- Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 16x2 - 500m
- Gerpex MLCP in Corrugated Conduit 16x2 Blue 50m Coil
- Gerpex MLCP in Corrugated Conduit 16x2 Red 50m Coil
When to Use 20mm MLCP Pipe
Use 20mm MLCP pipe where you need a step up from 16mm, such as larger branch routes, small distribution lines, manifold feeds or water pipework where the system design calls for a 20mm pipe.
It is a useful middle size for installations that need more capacity than 16mm, but still need a flexible and easy-to-route pipe.
- Best for medium heating and water pipe runs.
- Useful for manifold feeds and larger branch routes.
- Can be reduced down to 16mm with compatible reducer fittings.
- Can be transitioned to copper using suitable MLCP to copper connectors.
- Available with bending springs, deburring tools, calibration tools and pipe clips.
Useful 20mm MLCP products:
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 100m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 200m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Red 50m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Blue 50m
- Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 20x2 - 200m
- Gerpex Insulated MLCP 20x2 Blue 13mm Thick - 50m Coil
- PE-RT Barrier Pipe 20x2 5 Layer 500m Coil
When to Use 32mm MLCP Pipe
Use 32mm MLCP pipe for larger heating, water and distribution pipework where the system design requires a bigger pipe size.
32mm MLCP is suited to main runs, plant room routes, larger supply lines and installations where the pipe may need to feed smaller branches through reducers and tees.
- Best for larger heating and water distribution routes.
- Useful for main pipe runs before reducing down to smaller sizes.
- Available in non insulated and insulated coil options.
- Can be connected to 28mm copper with compatible transition fittings.
- Supported by 32mm couplers, bends, tees, reducers, calibration tools and clips.
Useful 32mm MLCP products:
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 50m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Red 25m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Blue 25m
- Emmeti Gerpex MLCP Coil 32x3 - 50m
- Gerpex Insulated MLCP 32x3 9mm Thick - 25m Coil
- Gerpex Insulated MLCP 32x3 Blue 13mm Thick - 25m Coil
MLCP Pipe Size Guide by Scenario
| Installation scenario | Size to consider | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Small radiator drops | 16mm MLCP | Compact, flexible and easy to route into tighter areas. |
| Underfloor heating routes | 16mm or 20mm MLCP | Useful for continuous pipe runs and flexible routing. |
| Medium domestic heating branches | 20mm MLCP | A practical step up when 16mm is too small for the design. |
| Manifold feeds | 20mm or 32mm MLCP | Useful where flow demand is higher before splitting into smaller circuits. |
| Larger heating distribution | 32mm MLCP | Better suited to larger main runs and distribution pipework. |
| Retrofit copper transitions | 16mm, 20mm or 32mm MLCP with transition fittings | Allows installers to connect MLCP into existing copper pipework. |
| Pipework requiring insulation | Insulated MLCP coils | Helps protect pipework and reduce heat loss where suitable. |
| Pipework in protective conduit | MLCP in corrugated conduit | Useful where additional pipe protection and colour identification are helpful. |
Featured MLCP Pipe and Fittings
 | PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 100mA flexible 16mm MLCP pipe coil for heating, cooling and potable water installations where neat routing and easy handling are important.
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 | PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 100mA 20mm MLCP pipe coil for heating, cooling and potable water systems where a medium pipe size is required.
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 | PressIT Heating/Water Coil Non Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 50mA larger 32mm MLCP pipe coil for heating, cooling and potable water systems where greater pipe capacity is required.
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 | PressIT Heating/Water Straight Press Coupling 16x16A straight press coupling for joining compatible 16mm MLCP pipe in heating and domestic water systems.
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 | PressIT Heating/Water Straight Press Coupling 20x20A 20mm straight press coupling for connecting compatible MLCP pipework in heating and water installations.
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 | PressIT Heating/Water Straight Press Coupling 32x32A 32mm straight press coupling for larger compatible MLCP heating and water pipework.
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 | Emmeti Connector - MLCP to Copper 16x2 - 15mmA useful transition connector for connecting compatible 16x2 MLCP pipework to 15mm copper pipe.
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 | Emmeti Gerpex MLCP to Copper Transition Fitting 20x2 - 22mmA Gerpex transition fitting for connecting compatible 20x2 MLCP pipe to 22mm copper compression or press fittings.
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 | Emmeti Gerpex MLCP to Copper Transition Fitting 32x3 - 28mmA transition fitting for connecting compatible 32x3 Gerpex MLCP pipe to 28mm copper compression or press fittings.
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When to Use Insulated MLCP Pipe
Use insulated MLCP pipe where pipe protection, heat loss reduction or colour identification is important.
Insulated MLCP coils are especially useful for heating pipework, longer routes and areas where pipework needs an added protective layer. Red and blue options can also help make pipe routes easier to identify during installation and maintenance.
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Red 100m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 16x2.0 Blue 100m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Red 50m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 20x2.0 Blue 50m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Red 25m
- PressIT Heating/Water Coil Insulated MLCP 32x3.0 Blue 25m
When to Use MLCP to Copper Transition Fittings
Use MLCP to copper transition fittings when a new MLCP pipe run needs to connect into existing copper pipework or a copper-based system connection.
This is common on retrofit jobs, heating upgrades, plant room alterations and partial system replacements where not every pipe run is being changed to MLCP.
| Transition scenario | Product option | Best use |
|---|---|---|
| 16mm MLCP to 15mm copper | Connector - MLCP to Copper 16x2 - 15mm | Small retrofit connections into 15mm copper pipework. |
| 20mm MLCP to 22mm copper | Connector - MLCP to Copper 20x2 - 22mm | Medium pipe routes connecting into 22mm copper. |
| 20mm MLCP to 15mm copper | PressIT Heating/Water Transition Spiggot 20x15Cu | Adapting 20mm MLCP to 15mm copper connections. |
| 20mm MLCP to 22mm copper | PressIT Heating/Water Transition Spiggot 20x22Cu | Adapting 20mm MLCP to 22mm copper connections. |
| 32mm MLCP to 28mm copper | Emmeti Gerpex MLCP to Copper Transition Fitting 32x3 - 28mm | Larger MLCP to copper transitions. |
| 32mm MLCP to 28mm copper spigot | PressIT Heating/Water Transition Spiggot 32x28Cu | Connecting 32mm MLCP to 28mm copper routes. |
When to Use Reducers and Reducing Tees
Use MLCP reducers when the pipe route needs to step down from one size to another.
This is common when a largerCP reducers when the pipe route needs to step down from one size to another.
This main run feeds smaller branch lines, or when a 32mm or 20mm pipe needs to connect into a smaller MLCP size.
- PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 20x16
- PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 32x16
- PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 32x20
- PressIT Heating/Water Reducer Press Coupling 32x25
- Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 20mmx16mm
- Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 32mmx16mm
- Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 32mmx20
- Emmeti Gerpex Reducer Coupler 32mmx26mm
When to Use MLCP Tools and Pipe Clips
Use the correct tools and accessories when preparing, bending and supporting MLCP pipe.
Calibration tools, deburring tools and bending springs help with cleaner pipe preparation and routing. Pipe clips help secure pipework to suitable walls, ceilings or boards and keep the installation tidy.
| Task | Useful product | Why it helps |
|---|---|---|
| Preparing 16mm Gerpex pipe ends | Emmeti Gerpex Pipe Calibration Tool 16mm | Helps prepare 16mm pipe before fitting. |
| Preparing 20mm Gerpex pipe ends | Emmeti Gerpex Pipe Calibration Tool 20mm | Helps prepare 20mm pipe before fitting. |
| Preparing 32mm Gerpex pipe ends | Emmeti Gerpex Pipe Calibration Tool 32mm | Helps prepare 32mm pipe before fitting. |
| Bending 16mm MLCP | Emmeti Gerpex External Bending Spring Tool 16mm | Helps form controlled bends without kinking pipe. |
| Bending 20mm MLCP | Emmeti Gerpex External Bending Spring Tool 20mm | Useful for routing 20mm pipe neatly. |
| Deburring 20mm pipe | 20mm Deburring for Drill | Supports cleaner pipe preparation before fitting. |
| Deburring 32mm pipe | 32mm Deburring for Drill | Useful for preparing larger 32mm pipe ends. |
| Supporting 20mm pipe | 19 mm - 21 mm Plastic Flexi-hinged Clip | Helps secure compatible 20mm pipework. |
| Supporting 32mm pipe | 31.8 mm - 35 mm Plastic Flexi-hinged Clip | Helps secure compatible 32mm pipework. |
When Not to Use MLCP Pipe Without Checking First
MLCP is versatile, but installers should always check compatibility before using it.
- Do not mix pipe and fittings unless the manufacturer confirms compatibility.
- Do not press fittings with the wrong jaw profile.
- Do not assume U Profile and TH Profile fittings are interchangeable.
- Do not use transition fittings without checking the connection type and pipe size.
- Do not install pipe without preparing the pipe end where calibration or deburring is required.
- Do not exceed the system guidance for temperature, pressure or application.
U Profile vs TH Profile: Why It Matters
One of the most important checks with MLCP systems is the pressing profile.
PressIT and Tweetop Heating/Water fittings commonly use U Profile. Emmeti Gerpex fittings commonly use TH Profile. The pipe, fitting and jaw must be compatible before pressing.
| Product range | Common profile | Example products |
|---|---|---|
| PressIT / Tweetop Heating/Water MLCP | U Profile | 16x16 Coupling, 20x20 Coupling, 32x32 Coupling |
| Emmeti Gerpex MLCP | TH Profile | 16mm Gerpex Bend, 20mm Gerpex Bend, 32mm Gerpex Bend |
Quick Answer: When Should You Use MLCP?
Use MLCP pipe when you need flexible, easy-to-route pipework for heating, water, cooling, retrofit or distribution systems, especially where long pipe runs, fewer joints, neat routing and compatible press-fit connections are important.
Choose 16mm MLCP for smaller branches and tight routes, 20mm MLCP for medium runs and manifold feeds, and 32mm MLCP for larger distribution pipework and main runs.
For the full range of pipe coils, fittings, adaptors, reducers and tools, shop the PressIT MLCP and fittings collection.