Demand in China to grow over 9% per year through 2009
Demand for large diameter pipe in China is forecast to advance more than nine percent per annum through 2009 to almost 70 million meters, valued at more than ¥35 billion. Gains will be supported by a continuation of the rapid economic growth achieved over the past decade and by initiatives to upgrade and expand the infrastructure in China. For example, the South-North Water Diversion project, designed to transfer water from the Chang Jiang basin to the North China plain will spur use of pipe in associated water treatment facilities.
Drainage, water supply, sewer uses to grow the fastest
Among the various applications for large diameter pipe in China, particularly strong growth will be recorded in drainage, water distribution and sewer applications. Road building efforts, such as the "7918 Network" national highway system, will generate demand for large diameter pipe trunk lines to convey runoff from the roads and distribute it to existing bodies of water. Robust building construction activity, both in residential and nonresidential markets, will also support demand for large diameter pipe. Improvements to storm sewer networks will be required to deal with runoff from newly developed land, while expansion to water treatment facilities will require large diameter pipe for effluent intake. A concerted effort by the national government to improve potable water supplies will also aid large diameter pipe demand. For example, in November 2005, the Ministry of Water Resources launched a water supply project to ensure safe drinking water a significant fraction of the estimated 300 million rural inhabitants of China who currently do not have access to water safe for consumption.
Concrete pipe to remain dominant
Measured by weight, concrete pipe is the leading large diameter pipe material in China. Concrete pipe is used in sewer and drainage applications and in trunk lines to distribute water. Concrete provides the highest crush resistance at the lowest cost of all pipe materials, with a potential service life of 100 years and more. The Chinese government is promoting prestressed concrete cylinder pipe in water distribution applications as a means to increase the efficiency of water transport.
Plastic pipe to lead gains from small base
Plastic pipe is expected to post the fastest gains among large diameter pipe materials in China, growing from a small base in 2004. High density polyethylene pipe will gain applications in applications for drainage and natural gas transportation. Reinforced thermoset plastics will benefit from the manufacturing boom in China, as it is used in process industries such as chemicals.
Study coverage
Details on these and other findings are available in the new Freedonia industry study, Large Diameter Pipe in China. The study presents historical demand data (1994, 1999, 2004) and forecasts to 2009 and 2014 in linear meters or kilograms by market (storm sewers, drainage and irrigation, water distribution, sanitary sewers, district heating, natural gas, petroleum, and chemical and other process industries), by material (e.g., concrete, plastic, cast iron, steel) and by Chinese geographic region. The study also considers market environment indicators, evaluates company market share and profiles competing manufacturers. Inside pipe diameters covered range from at least 200 millimeters for cast iron soil pipe to at least 640 millimeters for steel pipe.
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