Freedonia expects almost 10% p.a. growth in large diameter pipes

Demand for large diameter plastics pipes in China is expected to grow by 9.7% per annum over the next few years, according to Freedonia. This would take demand to nearly 12 million metres by 2009. The growth rate would be faster than the average 8.8% for pipes made from all types of materials. The US research group expects the total Chinese market to reach 60.7 million metres in 2009, up from 39.9 million metres in 2004.

HDPE pipes will win a growing amount of applications in drainage and natural gas transportation. Freedonia also expects large diameter pipes made from reinforced thermosets to benefit from the manufacturing boom in China, as they are used in process industries such as chemicals. The group anticipates strong growth for large diameter pipes in drainage, water distribution and storm sewer applications.

Nonetheless Chinese demand growth will be slower than in the first part of the decade. In the earlier period, huge projects such as the west-east gas transmission pipeline boosted the use of large diameter pipes.