March 2013 Tube Products International
51
plast ic and composi te innovat ions
High heat stability for
PPR pipes and fittings
SABIC has launched polypropylene
(PP) random copolymer grade PP651H
for pipes and fittings for the Asia
market. SABIC ismarketing the product
through its offices and providing close
technical support for customers in
the application of the new grade in
countries such as China, Vietnam and
Indonesia, amongst others.
The new grade, with high molecular
weight and special additive package,
provides high heat stability and high
extraction resistance for demanding
pressure pipe applications, especially
in the transportation of hot water
of up to boiling point. PP651H also
provides the benefits of durability and
resistance to corrosion.
Developed in response to the needs of
customers in the Asia markets, the new
grade demonstrates SABIC’s in-depth
understanding of pipe requirements
and the pipe manufacturing process.
“This new offering, together with our
existing high density polyethylene
pipe portfolio, reflects SABIC’s
ambitions and commitment to deliver
on customers’ needs for one-stop
solutions in the pipe industry,” said
Gary Lam, regional business manager,
PP, Asia Pacific.
SABIC
– Saudi Arabia
Global market for plastic pipes
Pipes made from plastics have
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 as
well as the simple handling increases
their importance in all application areas.
The market research institute Ceresana
is forecasting total global revenues of
more than US$80mn by 2019.
Plastic pipes are mainly used in the
areas of sewage, potable water and gas
supply, cable protection, agriculture and
industry; they are likely to gain further
importance in the future.
Depending on the application area, the
importance of 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,” said Oliver Kutsch,
Ceresana CEO.
During the upcoming years, the utilisation
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
speciality applications such as ceiling
cooling, compressed air systems,
heating installations, and construction
of automobiles and naval vessels.
However, PVC will remain the major raw
material for the pipe industry, with an
expected market share of more than 55
per cent.
The 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 per cent in 2011.
A major sales market for plastic pipes
is Asia-Pacific, which accounts for
just above 50 per cent of total global
demand.
North America ranks second, followed
by Western Europe. In the past,
developing countries in Asia-Pacific
have already been able to profit from the
dynamic development of sales markets
for plastic pipes.
Market researchers at Ceresana expect
Asian-Pacific countries to increase their
market share of global demand to more
than 60 per cent by 2019.
Ceresana’s report provides a
presentation and analysis of the market
for plastic pipes, including forecasts
up to 2019, with revenues as well as
production and demand split by product
type for every region.
It also examines the 16 largest countries
of the market in greater detail, with
substantiated analysis of individual
fields of application for plastic pipes, as
well as providing profiles of the largest
manufacturers.
Ceresana
– Germany
Pipe made with SABIC’s PP651H
