- 6.7% annual growth
- To reach 19.3 Billion Meters in 2019
- PVC leading resin used in plastic pipe
- China the world’s largest plastic pipe market
World demand for plastic pipe is projected to rise 6.7 percent per annum though 2019 to 19.3 billion meters. Strong construction activity, particularly in the large markets of China and the US, will boost demand as plastic pipe sees intensive use in both building and nonbuilding construction applications.
PVC leading resin used in plastic pipe
Plastic’s performance, cost, and installation advantages will also spur its increasing use over competing pipe materials such as concrete, copper, and steel. PVC is the leading resin used in plastic pipe. The energy, agriculture, and industrial sectors tend to be less intensive users of plastic pipe than is construction. However, improvements in technology and plastic materials have helped plastic pipe increase its share in many of these markets. These and other trends are presented in World Plastic Pipe, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry research firm.
China the world’s largest plastic pipe market
Although construction spending will decelerate in China, the world’s largest plastic pipe market, demand for plastic pipe in the country will still rise over nine percent annually through 2019. In the US, the world’s second largest market, continuing recovery in construction spending and housing completions will support rapid advances for plastic pipe demand.
Potable water and sewage systems as growth drivers in developing countries
Growth in plastic pipe demand will also be robust in the developing countries of Africa, Asia, and South America due to efforts to expand access to potable water and sewage systems. According to analyst Mariel Behnke, “The market opportunity for water and sewer systems is large, as a considerable share of the population in these regions does not have reliable access to drinking water supply or improved sanitation.” The comparatively low cost and ease of installation of plastic pipe gives it advantages over other pipe materials in these regions.
Advances in plastic pipe demand in the more developed regions of Eastern and Western Europe are expected to accelerate through 2019, supported by recovering construction spending. Demand in both regions contracted following the global economic recession, but began to recover in 2013.
