TPi May 2014

Plast ic pipes

Comprehensive study on the European plastic pipes market

will not be reached again in Western European countries.

plastic pipes. Currently, however, the construction sector in many European countries is suffering from a crisis. Plastic pipes are able to profit from substitution effects nonetheless, at the expense of other materials. For example, pipes made from metal or concrete are replaced by plastic, as the material offers superior properties and processing options. In addition, the rising price of raw materials such as steel or copper plays an essential role in the substitution process. In the relatively saturated markets in Western Europe, demand for high- quality pipes made of polyethylene and polypropylene in particular is increasing, while the demand for PVC pipes is expected to develop at only very modest rates. Growth rates recorded on the market for plastic pipes during the boom of the construction sector prior to the economic crisis

Pipes made of plastics are becoming more popular in all sectors. They have important advantages compared to those made from other materials such as aluminium, concrete, cast iron, copper and steel. Due to their low weight, their resistance to corrosive effects and chemicals, and their simple handling such as trenchless installation, their importance in all application areas is increasing. Market research institute Ceresana expects revenues generated with plastic pipes in Europe to amount to approximately €12.7 billion in 2020. The importance that various application areas have for individual types of pipe varies considerably. For example, pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are relatively cheap and are 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. The utilisation of other plastics, such as polybutylene, polyamide and acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, is likely to become more widespread. “We expect demand to increase by, on average, 2.7% pa during the next eight years,” explained Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana. “Among others, these pipes are used for speciality applications such as ceiling cooling, compressed air systems, heating installations as well as the construction of automobiles and naval vessels and other industrial processes.” The utilisation of composite pipes (eg PE-X and aluminium) offers the chance to optimise specific properties of pipes. According to Ceresana, the most important sales market for plastic pipes is Germany, which accounted for 13.5 per cent of total European consumption in 2012. Russia ranked second, followed by Turkey, France and Italy. In the past, many Eastern European countries were able to profit from the highly dynamic development of important sales markets for

The situation varies when examining individual European countries. While a positive development is expected for Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, a number of southern European countries such as Greece and Spain are unlikely to recover in the near future. Ceresana’s study, which is available from the company’s website, includes chapters on the development of revenues generated with plastic pipes in 30 European countries; analysis of the development in individual sales markets for plastic pipes; data regarding demand for various materials; and profiles of the largest manufacturers.

Ceresana – Germany info@ceresana.com www.ceresana.com

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March 2014 Tube Products International