Global revenues from plastic pipes to reach more than $80 million in 2019

Pipes made from plastics have advantages compared to those made from other materials such as aluminum, concrete, cast iron, copper, and steel. Due to their low weight, their resistance to corrosive effects and chemicals as well as the simple handling increases their importance in all application areas. The market research institute Ceresana, in a new study, is forecasting total global revenues of more than US$80 million in 2019.  

Plastic pipes are mainly used in the areas sewage, drinking/potable water and gas supply, cable protection as well as in agriculture and industry; they are likely to gain further importance in the future. Depending on application area, importance of the different types of plastics used varies considerably. For example, pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are relatively cheap and are thus used extensively in the sewage, potable water and cable protection sectors. “While pipes based on polypropylene and polyethylene are still in the process of challenging the dominance of PVC-pipes in potable water supply, they are already playing a notable part in both gas supply and in industrial applications”, explains Oliver Kutsch, Ceresana CEO.  

During the upcoming years, the utilization of other plastics, such as polybutylene, polyamide and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, is likely to become more and more widespread. Among others, these pipes are used for specialty applications such as ceiling cooling, compressed air systems, heating installations as well as construction of automobiles and naval vessels. Yet PVC will remain the major raw material for the pipe industry with an expected market share of more than 55%. Second most important material is polyethylene, HDPE in particular. For this type, forecast market shares vary greatly depending on region and were between 28% and 45% in 2011.