PVC Pipes Market

Market Overview

The global PVC pipes market size was valued at USD 25,484.20 million in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 42,690.83 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 5.90% during the forecast period (2023-2031). For instance, a manufacturer of PVC resin with a base in Europe named Vynova has introduced a line of bio-attributed PVC resins. Compared to conventionally manufactured PVC, the company asserts that using renewable ethylene in producing PVC resin cuts CO2 emissions by more than 90%.

PVC pipe is a white plastic pipe used in plumbing and drainage systems. PVC has become a common substitute for metal piping. Due to its strength, durability, ease of installation, and low cost, PVC is one of the most widely used plastics worldwide. The thermoplastic polymer PVC is used to manufacture pipes, fittings, valves, and other liquid-handling equipment. Throughout the forecast period, the demand for PVC pipes will be driven by the expansion of the building, construction, and irrigation industries. Future PVC pipe market growth is anticipated to be driven mainly by an increase in the construction industry's preference for PVC pipes over metal and concrete pipes. The benefits of PVC pipes, such as installation simplicity and durability, are expected to increase demand for PVC pipes.

Highlights

• The post-chlorinated segment is the highest contributor to the market by type.
• The water supply segment is the highest contributor to the market by application.
• The agriculture segment is the highest contributor to the market end-use.
• Asia-Pacific is the most significant revenue contributor by region.

Market Dynamics

Global PVC Pipes Market Drivers:

Industry Growth in the Construction Sector

Pipes are essential to the building sector. They bring in the main water supply lines and transport sewage and wastewater from the building. In addition, pipes are employed in interior plumbing systems to circulate water within building frameworks. Concrete and galvanized iron are classic materials used to make pipes for the building sector. PVC pipes, however, quickly displace these conventional pipes due to their strength, durability, lightweight, and ease of installation features.

Complete corrosion resistance is provided by PVC pipes, which also have a lower vulnerability to thermal expansion or contraction. Consequently, these pipes can be employed for warm or cold water applications depending on the PVC variation. PVC pipes are available in various lengths, wall thicknesses, and diameters depending on the requirements of the individual application. Additionally, the availability of PVC fittings makes installation quick and results in significant labor and time savings.

Global PVC Pipes Market Restraint:

Changing Prices for Raw Materials

The primary basic materials needed to make PVC pipes are PVC resin and additives like plasticizers, stabilizers, and lubricants. One of them is PVC resin, created by polymerizing vinyl chloride monomer. The electrolysis-extracted chlorine from sea salt is then combined with ethylene feedstock produced from hydrocarbon raw materials to develop vinyl chloride monomer. Thus, the cost of PVC resin is closely related to the price of crude oil worldwide. Due to the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' (OPEC) significant influence, which has 40% of the world's oil supply under control, crude oil prices are highly volatile. OPEC determines production levels and can affect oil and gas prices by lowering or raising output.

Global PVC Pipes Market Opportunities:

Growing Use of PVC with Bio-Attributes

Traditionally, ethylene, a hydrocarbon-based feedstock, has been used to create PVC resins like the majority of hydrocarbon-based feedstocks; the production of ethylene results in significant greenhouse gas emissions. Furthermore, the process of oil and gas exploration and production has a very negative impact on the environment and dramatically contributes to the issue of global warming. Growing public concern over environmental pollution and its effects on the climate drives demand for sustainable materials. Additionally, over the forecast period, the need for sustainable building materials is driven by the global expansion of various green building requirements.

Many PVC resin producers use renewable ethylene with good results. The production of renewable ethylene uses second-generation biomass feedstock that has been verified to not compete with the food chain. With the help of this bio-based feedstock, PVC resin producers can drastically cut the amount of hydrocarbon feedstock that is typically required in the PVC production process.

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

The global PVC pipes market is bifurcated into four regions: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific is the most significant revenue contributor and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.30% during the forecast period. Regarding revenue, Asia-Pacific amassed the largest share of the PVC pipe market in 2021, equaling 44.20 percent. The region is projected to maintain its dominant position during the forecast period. This can be linked to the rise in building projects in this area. As a result of an increase in the number of initiatives and activities related to maintenance undertaken by the government, there has been an uptick in the number of construction-related maintenance and repair jobs, which has further contributed significantly to the expansion of the PVC pipe market.

Additionally, Asia Pacific will see the highest market growth in the coming years due to the deployment of several infrastructure projects and the need for rainwater harvesting to cater to the need for water in rural areas for a longer duration. These factors are expected to drive increased demand for rainwater storage systems. SANDEE stands for the South Asian Network for Development and Environmental Economics. It is a regional network that addresses environmental issues by bringing together economists and policy experts from various countries in South Asia. 

The Middle East and Africa is the region that is currently driving the market with its massive investments in the construction and oil and gas industries worldwide. In addition, the Saudi Vision 2030 program is quickly becoming the most critical growth factor for the development of the construction sectors of the GCC and the major countries of the Middle East and Africa. This is because the Middle East and Africa is the most critical production region for oil and gas, and it also has the highest trading of these commodities anywhere in the world. Investing in construction and refurbishing projects across Latin America increased the region's demand for piping and fittings; it was discovered that the region's GDP and trading activities benefited.

Segmental Analysis

The global PVC pipes market is segmented by type, application, and end-use.

The global PVC pipes market is bifurcated based on type into post-chlorinated, plasticized, and unplasticized. 

The post-chlorinated segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.20% during the forecast period. Pipes made of post-chlorinated PVC are produced when PVC is chlorinated. These pipes are notably more flexible than pipes made of ordinary PVC and can resist relatively high temperatures. Most of their applications involve providing hot and cold water to various commercial and industrial facilities. This is one of the common uses for them. In addition, it is permissible to transport and use potable water in this manner, given the current circumstances.

Plasticized PVC pipes begin with modifying the PVC compound by incorporating plasticizers, such as dioctyl phthalate. It is followed by incorporating a range of additives into the mixture. This procedure is repeated several times until the required degree of smoothness is achieved. PVC can be made more flexible with plasticizers such as this one. The material produced after this process is typically referred to as flexible PVC. In addition to its usage in irrigation and several other contexts, this material is frequently used for insulating electrical components with this kind of PVC. Other applications include:

PVC pipes that have not been plasticized are PVC pipes that were not constructed with the use of any plasticizers in any part of the manufacturing process. Their primary benefits include the transportation of drinking water, soil, waste, sewage, and subsurface drainage, as well as applications in the industrial sector. They are also known as stiff PVC. The substance that is more commonly known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can also be referred to by its more technical name, rigid PVC (PVC).

The global PVC pipes market is bifurcated based on applications in sewerage, plumbing, water supply, oil and gas, irrigation, and others.

The water supply segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.80% during the forecast period. Polyvinyl chloride pipes are the most common type of piping used to transport water for the delivery of potable water to homes and businesses, as well as for the transportation of water for agricultural purposes such as irrigation. These pipes are also the most common piping used to transport water for industrial purposes, such as wastewater transportation. These pipes are used to carry both hot and cold water as they go throughout the building. The water supply category achieved the top ranking in the global market and was responsible for 22.63 percent of the total market share.

A well-organized network of drainage pipes is utilized in sewage and drainage piping systems, which dispose of human waste through sewerage and drainage piping systems. Sewerage and drainage piping systems are used to dispose of human waste. In sewage systems, pipes constructed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic, are typically utilized for collecting and transporting wastewater. It is estimated that there will be a rise in the demand for PVC pipes in the sewerage market due to an increase in the number of municipal projects, particularly in the Asia-Pacific area, as well as government investments to expand the country.

Plumbing systems supply buildings with potable water, which can be used for drinking and other purposes. This water can also be used for cooking, cleaning, and washing dishes when hot enough. This requires the installation of a network of pipes that function as a distribution system to carry water to the kitchen and bathroom faucets. Pipes of this nature are commonly referred to as plumbing pipes. With 19.97% of the total market share in 2020, the plumbing market remained the second-largest proportion of the overall market.

PVC pipes are often used in oil and gas transportation because of their extended lifespan, corrosion resistance, and capacity to handle high temperatures. In addition, PVC pipes may be recycled. Pipes constructed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), also known as vinyl chloride, have a wide range of possible applications in the industrial sector. Some of these include the transportation of gasoline and oil and the transmission of gas and air.

Based on end-use, the global PVC pipes market is bifurcated into agriculture, building and construction, telecommunications, and others.

The agriculture segment is the highest contributor to the market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.10% during the forecast period. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipes are commonly used in the agricultural industry on a vast scale to transfer water from the city to the farms. This is done to provide water to the fields. By 2020, the agricultural industry had captured a market share of 44.69%, establishing itself as the most significant one in the world. During the period under review, it is projected that factors such as an increase in the world population, an increasing demand for food supply, and increased development in the agriculture industry will all contribute to the segment's expansion.

PVC pipes are in high demand in construction and building because of their durability and low maintenance requirements. Most of their applications can be found in domestic plumbing systems, plumbing and sewerage systems for wastewater management, and domestic piping systems. There are many examples, some of which include potable drinking water sources, plumbing and sewerage systems, and domestic piping systems. Building and construction was the industry that held the second-largest market share in 2020, accounting for 27.44% of the total.

PVC pipes often install conduits and cables in residential and commercial structures. This is mainly because PVC pipes have good insulating capabilities, are flexible, and weigh very little. The "others" segment of the market comprises many end-use industries, including the oil and gas industry, the healthcare industry, and the industrial sector, amongst others. 

Recent Developments

• March 2023: Finolex Industries announced that it commenced commercial operations of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) fittings at a new manufacturing facility in Pune, Maharashtra.