World Demand for Plastic Pipe to Reach 19.3 Billion Meters in 2019


World demand for plastic pipe is projected to rise 6.7% per annum through 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. 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.
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 9% 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.
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.                                  

World plastic pipe demand (million meters)

    2009    2014    2019    Annual growth 2009-2014    Annual growth 2014-2019
  Plastic pipe demand    9 600    13 930    19 300    7.7    6.7
    North America    1 440    1 720    2 455    3.6    7.4
    Western Europe    1 370    1 450    1 720    1.1    3.5
    Asia/Pacific    4 570    7 870    11 400    11.5    7.7
    Central & South America    650    875    1 115    6.1    5.0
    Eastern Europe    545    605    740    2.1    4.1
    Africa/Mideast    1 025    1 410    1 870    6.6    5.8