PLASTIC PIPES
PVC still the dominant material / European market with 2.3% annual growth / Boom on global pipe market / PE-HD showing biggest increase / Water resources as the driving force
The European market for plastics pipes is steadily gaining in volume. According to a study by management consultants Frost & Sullivan (D-60329 Frankfurt; www.frost.com), sales are set to increase at an average growth rate of 2.3% per year over the period 2000 to 2006. The prime growth factors are the substitution of conventional materials and the continuous further development of pipes and fittings in plastic.
Plastic pipes are continuing to gain ground over pipes made of conventional materials. The manufacturers stand every chance of acquiring an even greater market share with improved products. A very high market penetration has already been achieved with domestic drains and waste pipes, for example, while the study highlights considerable potential in the field of underfloor heating.
When it comes to the different polymer raw materials, PVC pipes have so far accounted for by far the biggest sector, with a market share of 53.8% (1999). According to the study, however, the biggest advances in product development are to be found in PVC-free plastics. These are benefiting from the endeavours to replace PVC by other plastics. While the polybutylene sector is still operating at a low level, it ought to display the most rapid growth. The study forecasts average growth of more than 15% per year. Polypropylene is not only displacing conventional materials but is also gaining market shares from PVC, which has so far been the predominant material here.
Despite the increase in “PVC-free” segments, there are still enough opportunities left open to PVC manufacturers. Frost & Sullivan forecast that just above 50% of all plastic pipes will be produced in PVC by 2006. In value terms, a share of just under 50% is to be expected.
The European market leaders for PVC are EVC, Solvin and Vinnolit. As with the majority of other PVC producers, these companies are specialised solely in PVC products. Only Solvay and TotalFinaElf constitute exceptions here, marketing both polyolefins and PVC. The biggest polyolefin manufacturers are Borealis and Basell.
According to surveys conducted by the British market research company, Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI, GB-Bristol; www.amiplastics.com), the European plastics pipe market was worth around EUR 11bn in 1999, at approximately 2.8 m.t. Since 1993, annual growth has worked out at around 4%. This same source shows an increase in the market share for polyolefin pipes from 31% to 35% over the period 1993 to 1999. For details see Plasteurope.com 17, 2000.
According to an estimate by Solvay Polyolefins Europe S.A. (B-1050 Brussels; www.solvay.com), the world market for plastic pipes will grow by approximately 7% per year up to 2006. Growth of the entire global pipe market, by contrast, will “only” be 4%. The biggest markets for plastic pipes are Europe, NAFTA and the developed countries of Asia. In its electronic newsletter at www.eltex-pipe.com, Solvay writes that expansion of the infrastructure will provide the key market impulses in these regions in future too. And, all over the globe, the prime driving force will be the preservation and tapping of water resources. In the case of plastic pipe materials, Solvay is expecting a major increase for PE-HD, with world demand set to rise from some 2.5 m.t. to around 3.6 m.t. over the period 2002 to 2006.
Plastic pipe market booming in China
In the People´s Republic of China, the construction industry consumes a total of some 2m t of plastics, with plastic pipes accounting for some 600,000 t of this. These figures have been compiled by the Beijing Plastics Industry Association (BPIA, PRC-Beijing). Production has increased threefold since 1990. A market volume of approximately 1.2m t plastic pipes is expected by 2005. In China too, PVC is the main pipe material used, accounting for a share of 240,000 t (1996), followed by PE at 180,000 t and PP at only 15,000 t. For details see Plasteurope.com 03, 2001.
Reader Service: Plasteurope.com publication “Market Research on Plastic Pipes in China”, in cooperation with the Beijing Plastics Industry Association, 2000, 26 pages DIN A4, many tables and graphs, price EUR 70.00 + postage/VAT: PIE-No. B 45045.
Plastic pipes are continuing to gain ground over pipes made of conventional materials. The manufacturers stand every chance of acquiring an even greater market share with improved products. A very high market penetration has already been achieved with domestic drains and waste pipes, for example, while the study highlights considerable potential in the field of underfloor heating.
When it comes to the different polymer raw materials, PVC pipes have so far accounted for by far the biggest sector, with a market share of 53.8% (1999). According to the study, however, the biggest advances in product development are to be found in PVC-free plastics. These are benefiting from the endeavours to replace PVC by other plastics. While the polybutylene sector is still operating at a low level, it ought to display the most rapid growth. The study forecasts average growth of more than 15% per year. Polypropylene is not only displacing conventional materials but is also gaining market shares from PVC, which has so far been the predominant material here.
Despite the increase in “PVC-free” segments, there are still enough opportunities left open to PVC manufacturers. Frost & Sullivan forecast that just above 50% of all plastic pipes will be produced in PVC by 2006. In value terms, a share of just under 50% is to be expected.
The European market leaders for PVC are EVC, Solvin and Vinnolit. As with the majority of other PVC producers, these companies are specialised solely in PVC products. Only Solvay and TotalFinaElf constitute exceptions here, marketing both polyolefins and PVC. The biggest polyolefin manufacturers are Borealis and Basell.
According to surveys conducted by the British market research company, Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI, GB-Bristol; www.amiplastics.com), the European plastics pipe market was worth around EUR 11bn in 1999, at approximately 2.8 m.t. Since 1993, annual growth has worked out at around 4%. This same source shows an increase in the market share for polyolefin pipes from 31% to 35% over the period 1993 to 1999. For details see Plasteurope.com 17, 2000.
According to an estimate by Solvay Polyolefins Europe S.A. (B-1050 Brussels; www.solvay.com), the world market for plastic pipes will grow by approximately 7% per year up to 2006. Growth of the entire global pipe market, by contrast, will “only” be 4%. The biggest markets for plastic pipes are Europe, NAFTA and the developed countries of Asia. In its electronic newsletter at www.eltex-pipe.com, Solvay writes that expansion of the infrastructure will provide the key market impulses in these regions in future too. And, all over the globe, the prime driving force will be the preservation and tapping of water resources. In the case of plastic pipe materials, Solvay is expecting a major increase for PE-HD, with world demand set to rise from some 2.5 m.t. to around 3.6 m.t. over the period 2002 to 2006.
Plastic pipe market booming in China
In the People´s Republic of China, the construction industry consumes a total of some 2m t of plastics, with plastic pipes accounting for some 600,000 t of this. These figures have been compiled by the Beijing Plastics Industry Association (BPIA, PRC-Beijing). Production has increased threefold since 1990. A market volume of approximately 1.2m t plastic pipes is expected by 2005. In China too, PVC is the main pipe material used, accounting for a share of 240,000 t (1996), followed by PE at 180,000 t and PP at only 15,000 t. For details see Plasteurope.com 03, 2001.
Reader Service: Plasteurope.com publication “Market Research on Plastic Pipes in China”, in cooperation with the Beijing Plastics Industry Association, 2000, 26 pages DIN A4, many tables and graphs, price EUR 70.00 + postage/VAT: PIE-No. B 45045.
12.04.2001 Plasteurope.com [16782]
Published on 12.04.2001