Despite the current downswing in the construction segment, pipe demand is expected to turn around and grow 2.0 percent annually to 11.1 billion feet in 2013, according to the Freedonia Group (www.freedoniagroup.com). Freedonia predicts growth will be stimulated by recovery in the construction sector, the obsolescence of sewer and drainage systems, and the growing need to upgrade municipal water systems.
Plastic pipe is expected to advance at the fastest pace, with strong demand in the construction and energy markets. Demand for plastic pipe is predicted to advance 2.3 percent yearly to 5.0 billion feet in 2013, creating demand for 9.2 billion pounds of resin. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe is expected to remain the most highly demanded form of plastic pipe and, as it figures to benefit from improved joining technologies and resins such as molecularly oriented PVC.