Plastic is the fastest-growing pipe material through 2015

Plastic pipe will be the fastest-growing pipe material through 2015, continuing to steadily take share from competing materials in a range of markets, according to a new study from The Freedonia Group Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm. Rising demand for plastic pipe will be driven by resin improvements that enhance pipe performance in more demanding environments, while processing improvements will allow plastic pipe to be more cost-effective compared to other materials. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) will remain the leading resin used in plastic pipe through 2015, due to its dominant position in small-diameter applications such as potable water distribution, sanitary sewer, and agricultural markets.

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipe, however, has the best long-term growth prospects among major plastic pipe resins, said The Freedonia Group’s report. HDPE will continue to gain ground on concrete, steel, PVC, and other competing pipe materials, particularly in drainage, storm sewer, and water distribution markets.

Plastic pipe’s annual growth in the U.S. from 2010 to 2015 will increase by 8.2%—while steel will see only a 5.3% annual growth rate—representing $11.25 billion in sales for that period, according to The Freedonia Group’s projections. —PlasticsToday Staff