Techniques for coating pipes

An insulating insert that is positionable around a field joint of a pipeline to insulate the field joint, wherein:

• the insert comprises a longitudinal series of annular or part-annular segments of insulating material, curved about a longitudinal axis, that are each joined to one or more adjacent segments of the series by at least one link;
• the links are flexible relative to the segments and defined by one or more flexible rods extending longitudinally between adjacent segments of the series to facilitate bending of the insert along the length of the insert by enabling relative angular displacement between adjacent segments of the series, the insert comprises two or more part-tubular shells that can be brought together around a field joint to form a generally tubular insert;
• and
• one of the flexible rods defines a hinge rod that pivotably couples the part-tubular shells to each other to form a hinge between the part tubular-shells for relative clam shell movement.