Plastic pipe use to outpace competitors

Plastic pipe demand will significantly outpace other pipe materials with a 4Vo per year growth, reaching 3.7 billion feet in 1997, industry analyst William Weizer claims, attributing the growth to plastic's performance and installation cost advantages.

drainage and sewer systems, will increase needs. Other growth markets include the energy sector and agriculture.

Demand from the potable water and drain/sewer market will be the strongest for polyvinyl chloride, which will remain the mosf prominent pipe resin, increasing 4Vo a\nually to 4.4 billion pounds.

reports. In conduit uses, pvc pipe will grow at a4Vo annual pace to 633 million pounds in 1997, but increasing competition with polyethylene may limit its future growth.

Construction markets will provide the best opportunities due to rebounding building activity. Pohble water and drain/waste/vent pipe, as well as the rehabilitation and upgrading of

In cold water applications, pvc offers advantages over copper pipe such as lower cost and easy installation since it is solvent welded. However, it suffers from lack of a track record to prove its durability and a "metal mentality" among engineers, architects and construction workers which prevents them from embracing plastic pipe, Weizer

Polyethylene pipe demand is projected to grow 3.74o per year tbrough 1997 due to opportunities in pressure pipe for municipal and industrial applications and increased use of trenchIess pipe laying techniques. Drain and sewer uses, the largest market, will increase 4.3Vo annually to 231 million pounds in 1997 due to advances in dual-extrusion, dual-wall pipe featuring smooth interior and corrugated exterior surfaces. Small diameter polyethylene pipe for gas distribution will remain one of the largest individual applications due to its cost efficiency in perfonnance and installation.

Demand for all pipe will increase 2.5Vo per year to 10.2 billion feet in 7997 as construction rebounds and the economy improves, The Freedonia Group report concludes.