2 January 2007 – Plastics are set to see the fastest growth in demand in the US market for large diameter pipes, according to Freedonia Group.
This will come as a result of improvements in machinery and polymer materials, enabling greater penetration of water distribution, sewer and other applications.
The research firm forecasts demand for all types of large diameter pipe to grow by 2.3% per annum from 2005 to 2010. In volume terms, the US market will grow from 191.6 million feet in 2005 to 215.1 million feet in 2010.
Plastic pipes are forecast to increase by 4.3% annually from 36.0 million feet to 44.5 million feet over the same period. Concrete will retain the largest market share, accounting for 113.5 million feet in 2010, but is forecast to grow at the slower annual rate of 2.0%.
The demand for plastics will create a market for 1.2 billion pounds (544 million tonnes) of resin, Freedonia said. HDPE pipe will present the best opportunities, followed closely by PVC. HDPE pipe demand will be driven by rapid advances in water distribution and corrugated storm sewer applications.
