TPT September 2008

I ndustry N ews

Study and conference examines growth in pipe coating market

3-LPP) are seen as more robust and forgiving during pipe handling, transport and installation and are therefore preferred. However, epoxy formulators are fighting back by offering stand-alone epoxy-based dual and multi-layer systems. They also

The steel pipe coating market achieved double-digit annual growth rates between 2004 and 2007, according to the latest research from AMI Consulting. The study expects demand to reach 240 million square metres by 2010, more than 50 million above the 2007 volume. The strongest regional growth will be felt in Asia, Russia and the Middle East, but the more mature markets of NAFTA and Europe will continue to grow in absolute terms. Deep changes in the global economy are causing the energy supply and demand maps to be redrawn. In conjunction with high oil prices, this trend has generated a remarkable rise in pipeline construction activity. In turn, this is creating a multitude of exciting opportunities for well-positioned industry participants. As a result, the industry’s competitive landscape is changing, as historical market leaders are facing strong, capable clusters of regional players, many of them pipe mill- integrated. In addition, several technical

solutions are competing for growth in this profitable market. Besieged by safety and environmental concerns, the traditional

asphalt and coal tar-based coatings are losing ground to solutions based on polyethylene, polypropylene and stand-alone epoxy. In turn, these solutions are vying for supremacy, each backed by a number of raw material suppliers, coaters and technologists. Solutions based on polyethylene accounted for two-thirds of the market in 2007. Most coaters prefer MDPE/HDPE, which offers technical advantages and

 The dynamics of regional demand for steel pipe coating

point to potential risks associated with improperly applied 3-layer polyolefin systems, such as de-bonding. In conjunction with this Global Pipe Coating study, AMI will host a pipeline coating conference from 26-28 January 2009 at the Renaissance Hotel in Vienna, Austria. Applied Market Information Ltd – UK Fax : +44 117 311 1534 Email : sh@amiplastics.com Website : www.amiplastics.com

more suppliers, compared with LDPE. Polypropylene replaces polyethylene where temperatures are likely to exceed 70-80°C. Polypropylene is also used for thermal insulation, either as solid layer, foam, glass syntactic foam, or a combination of these. In this application, it competes mainly with polyurethane and epoxy-based insulation systems. In most geographical areas, polyolefin- based systems (especially 3-LPE and

Swagelok completes acquisition of Coreflex Swagelok Company, USA, has completed the acquisition of the assets of Coreflex LLC, USA. Located in Bowie, Maryland, Coreflex is a manufacturer of high-quality hose products used mostly in semiconductor, biopharmaceutical, and other demanding applications. The Coreflex product line broadens the Swagelok Company’s portfolio of high-quality hose products. Mr Arthur F Anton, Swagelok president and chief executive officer, says, “We are excited about this acquisition because these innovative hose products, combined with our network of authorized Swagelok sales and service centres, will help us provide better solutions to our customers worldwide.” Headquartered in Solon, Ohio, Swagelok Company is a major developer and provider of fluid system solutions, including products, assemblies, and services for the research, instrumentation, pharmaceutical, oil and gas, power, petrochemical, alternative fuels, and semiconductor industries. The company has manufacturing, research, technical support, and distribution facilities comprising a global network of over 200 authorized sales and service centres in 57 countries. Swagelok Company – USA Fax : +1 440 349 6678 Website : www.swagelok.com

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S eptember 2008

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