Abstract
World growth to approach 4% annually through 2010
Worldwide demand for plastic pipe is projected to increase 3.9 percent
annually through 2010, representing a considerable improvement over the growth
posted in the 2000 to 2005 period. This will be primarily due to increased
construction activity, expanding use of plastic pipe in crop irrigation and
natural gas distribution, replacement of competitive pipe materials and
recovery in electrical conduit applications.
China, developing regions to pace overall growth
In North America, Western Europe and Japan, growth will derive from expanding
construction activity and marginal increases in market penetration.
Nevertheless, these geographic markets for plastic pipe are well established
and comparatively mature. As a result, gains in these regions will trail
overall growth.
Developing markets, such as the Asia/ Pacific, Latin America, Eastern Europe
and Africa/Mideast regions, will continue to post above average gains as
plastic pipe materials displace other materials. Growth will benefit from a
range of factors, including rapidly growing construction activity, increased
market penetration by plastic materials, expanding irrigation of crop land and
greater use of plastic pipe materials in natural gas transmission. In
particular, China will continue to post outsized gains through 2010,
reflecting strong building construction, infrastructure modernization,
expanded crop irrigation and the displacement of other pipe materials.