The U.S. Market for Plastic Pipe

Report Highlights

Total plastic pipe and tubing in the U.S. was more than 9 billion pounds in 2011 and is projected to reach nearly 10 billion pounds in 2016, a CAGR of 2%.

SCOPE AND FORMAT

This study provides in depth coverage of many of the most important economic, technological, political, regulatory and environmental considerations involving domestic markets for U.S. production and use of materials and equipment in the plastic pipe and tubing industries.  Pipes and tubes are made from materials ranging from inorganic clays and concrete to iron and steel, and to commodity and specialty polymers.  This study focuses on plastic pipe and tubing, with reference in many places to older competing materials.

This report includes key technologies (and new technologies), the markets and some key companies that make up the U.S. plastic pipe and tubing industry and all its ramifications.  This primarily is a study of U.S. activities and markets, but because of the global nature of most industries, it touches on some noteworthy international activities.  These primarily are those that could have an impact on domestic business and markets and include actions by foreign-based companies in U.S. markets and the effects of imports.

Demands are estimated for the base year of 2011, and forecast for five years through 2016.  All market volume figures usually are rounded to the nearest million pounds.  All five-year growth rates are compounded (signified as compounded annual growth rates or CAGRs).  Because of this rounding, some growth rates may not agree exactly with figures in the market tables, especially for differences in small volumes.

This report in segmented into 10 chapters, with this being the first.

The summary encapsulates findings and conclusions, and includes summary major market tables.  It is where a busy executive can find the study’s key findings in a condensed format.

This is followed by an overview of the plastic piping and tubing industry.  It begins with a historical perspective, then defines and describes the major materials used in pipe and tubing, discusses factors such as regional distribution and the importance of P/T to the U.S. economy, and introduces the major markets, primarily in building and other construction.

Next is the first of the market analysis sections, this one devoted to analysis by the particular plastic resins used in pipe or tubing, with breakdown sections for each resin and its primary market applications.

In the next section, the market analysis is turned on its side, so to speak.  It examines and estimates plastic P/T markets according to applications and end uses in a number of areas including building/construction (covering uses ranging from water transmission to sewers and storm drain pipes); petroleum service pipe (both “upstream” and “downstream”); machinery, process and other equipment; electronics and telecommunications; mechanical and structural uses; and specialty and other uses.

The next section discusses technology, with portions devoted to the manufacture and technology for each major piping material, including brief elaborations for older materials that compete with plastics.  Several important and more recent technological developments for the use of plastic pipe are noted, especially for trenchless technology and the use of pipe linings for repair, instead of replacement of leaking or otherwise worn-out piping.

The study then looks at the structure, competitive factors and trends in the U.S. pipe industry.  Major emphasis is given to competition between piping materials, a major factor is this industry.

In the next section, there is a discussion of environmental and regulatory factors that affect the P/T industry.  The main thrust of this portion focuses on the impact of regulatory and environmental issues on pipe markets, especially those for plastic pipe.

The final narrative section is devoted to information about U.S. suppliers to this large industry, with profiles of some of the leading companies.

Finally, there is an appendix with a glossary of important terms, abbreviations, acronyms, etc. used in the pipe industry and related technologies. 

Analyst Credentials

Dr. J. Charles Forman has been a research analyst for BCC Research covering polymers and chemicals for more than two decades. His work in the industry includes 21 years at Abbott Laboratories in R&D and manufacturing management. Dr. Forman has researched and written more than 70 multi-client market research reports on a variety of subjects, ranging from building construction materials and spectroscopy to several studies on plastic packaging. He holds a B.S. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University, all in chemical engineering. He is also a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.).