Report: Not enough industrial pipe is plastics

Bristol, UK -- Penetration of thermoplastic pipes in industrial applications is only a fraction of the total market, which continues to use often over-specified steel products, according to Applied Market Information Ltd -- a Bristol-based market research firm.

In a new report, AMI identifies 132 kilotonnes of plastics pipe consumption in industrial applications, a market share of just over 5%. The study comments: “Surprisingly few pipe producers have made a serious effort to explore the potential offered by industrial applications.”

Industrial processes are major users of pipe systems ­ essential for the transportation of a wide variety of liquids and gases. In these applications, the ‘default’ option for specifiers is normally stainless steel pipes of one grade or another, AMI noted.

However, said AMI, this ignores the advantages offered by plastics pipe systems­ for industrial applications such as light weight, ease of installation and corrosion resistance. Moreover, it added, as the corrosion resistant properties of stainless steel vary with the grade and price there are many applications for which plastics pipes could provide a very efficient, cost effective alternative.

“The fact that corrosion resistant 316 grade stainless steel pipes are up to three times as expensive as their equivalents in standard thermoplastics gives weight to the potential scope for substitution,” AMI stated.

Rising standards of health and safety are creating particular opportunities for plastics pipe in potable and process water supply and gas supply, the report continued. Pipes in the 200-500 mm diameter range and polyethylene systems are very well placed to compete, as are multilayer barrier pipes for potable water networks over polluted land.

Above ground, AMI sees potential mostly for smaller diameter pipes in applications such as the supply of high purity water to specialised industries. These, it said, include semiconductors, pharmaceuticals and food & beverage, as well chemical dosage applications, especially acid lines, cleaning-in-place lines and refrigeration.

Chemical drainage is another potential area depending on the chemical effluent and its temperature. This is an area in which stainless steel’s poor resistance to acids and chlorinated/brominated solutions could be challenged, said AMI .

Despite the various potential drivers identified in the report, AMI forecast growth of just 6% per annum for plastic pipe systems in industrial applications over the next five years.