Pipe Products & Markets

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Pipe

Through 2026, demand for pipe products in the US is forecast to increase 2.2% per year to $57.9 billion, equivalent to 12.9 billion linear feet. Growth in value terms is projected to decelerate significantly due mostly to the expectation that average prices of plastic and metal pipe will moderate going forward. However, volume gains will be driven by:

a rebound in oil and gas drilling activity
increasing water and sewer construction
healthy growth in transportation equipment manufacturing
rising production of air conditioners and refrigerators, particularly larger and higher end models that require more tubing

Major Spike in PVC, Steel, & Copper Prices in 2021 Leads to Record Year in Value Terms

In 2021, average prices of PVC, steel, and copper pipe spiked 38%, 48%, and 49%, respectively. The significant increase in prices was due to a number of factors including:

major increases in raw material prices, as inflation reaches the highest levels in the US in over 40 years
significant supply chain issues and shortages

These price increases led to a massive spike in value demand in 2021 that was boosted by a return to growth in pipe usage. In linear feet terms, demand accelerated from a nearly flat 2020, as the oil and gas drilling, industrial processing, and structural and mechanical markets rebounded due to rising gas prices and increasing durable goods production.

Oil & Gas Market Rebound to Support Growth

The oil and gas market is expected to be the fastest growing pipe market, supported by a significant rebound in the number of wells drilled in the US as oil and natural gas prices increase from very low levels in 2020 and early 2021. Oil and gas drilling activity has increased significantly in 2022, as international production has not been able to keep up with demand and sanctions against Russia have limited the supply of available oil, causing prices to increase at a rapid pace.

HDPE & PEX Continue to Gain Market Share

Demand for HDPE and PEX pipe is expected to grow rapidly due to a number of performance advantages enabled by the flexibility of these materials. HDPE will find the greatest sales opportunities in the storm and sanitary sewer market, while PEX will continue to gain share in potable water distribution:

HDPE’s flexibility makes it well suited for trenchless installation methods such as slip lining and horizontal directional drilling.
PEX’s flexibility also facilitates installation in the water distribution market, as it can be bent around obstacles and cut easily.

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Table of Contents

1. Executive Summary

2. COVID-19 Pandemic

Overview

Impact on the Economy

Impact on the Construction Industry

Impact on the Pipe Industry

Impact of Pipe Price Inflation

3. Overview

Study Scope

Historical Trends

Supply & Demand

Foreign Trade & Impact of Tariffs

Demand by Market

Market Value

Demand in Linear Feet

Demand in Pounds

Demand by Material

Market Value

Demand in Linear Feet

Demand in Pounds

Pricing Patterns

Sustainability Initiatives

Recycling & Reuse

Water Conservation Efforts

4. Structural & Mechanical Pipe

Scope & Definitions

Factors Impacting Structural & Mechanical Pipe Demand

Structural & Mechanical Pipe Demand Outlook

Demand by Material

Plastic Structural & Mechanical Pipe Demand by Resin

Mechanical Pipe

Demand by Application

Refrigeration Equipment, HVAC Equipment, & Appliances

Transportation Equipment

Other Mechanical Pipe Applications

5. Potable Water Pipe

Market Scope & Definition

Potable Water Infrastructure Construction Overview

Potable Water Pipe Demand Outlook

Demand by Material

Plastic Potable Water Pipe Demand by Resin

Applications

Demand by Application

Water Distribution Pipe

Water Transmission Pipe

Other Potable Water Pipe (Service & Rural)

6. Oil & Gas Pipe

Market Scope & Definitions

Factors Impacting Oil & Gas Pipe Demand

Drilling & Hydraulic Fracturing Activity

Oil & Gas Pipeline Construction

Oil & Gas Pipe Demand Outlook

Materials

Demand by Material

Plastic Oil & Gas Pipe

Steel OCTG & Line Pipe

Applications

Demand by Application

Oil & Gas Drilling Pipe

Oil & Gas Transmission Pipe

Natural Gas Distribution Pipe

Oil & Gas Pipe Suppliers

7. Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe

Market Scope & Definitions

Sewer Infrastructure Construction Overview

Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe Demand Outlook

Demand by Material

Plastic Storm & Sewer Pipe Demand by Resin

Applications

Demand by Application

Storm Sewer Pipe

Sanitary Sewer Pipe

8. Conduit Pipe

Market Scope & Definitions

Telecommunications Construction Overview

Conduit Pipe Demand Outlook

Demand by Material

Plastic Conduit Pipe Demand by Resin

9. Industrial Processing Pipe

Market Scope & Definitions

Process Manufacturing Outlook

Industrial Processing Pipe Demand Outlook

Demand by Material

Plastic Industrial Processing Pipe Demand by Resin

10. Drain, Waste, & Vent (DWV) Pipe

Scope & Definitions

Building Construction Outlook

Drain, Waste, & Vent Pipe Demand Outlook

Demand by Material

Plastic Drain, Waste, & Vent Pipe Demand by Resin

11. Irrigation Pipe

Scope & Definitions

Agricultural Industry & Land Usage Trends

Irrigation Pipe Demand Outlook

Demand by Material

Plastic Irrigation Pipe Demand by Resin

12. Metal Pipe

Scope & Definitions

Demand by Material

Steel Pipe

Supply & Demand

Demand by Market

Steel Pipe Applications, Drivers, & Restraints

Market Share

Copper Pipe

Demand by Market

Market Share

Ductile Iron Pipe

Demand by Market

Market Share

Aluminum Pipe

Demand by Market

Aluminum Pipe Applications, Drivers, & Restraints

Market Share

Other Metal Pipe (Titanium, Nickel)

Demand by Market

Market Share

13. Plastic Pipe

Scope & Definitions

Plastic Pipe Applications, Drivers, & Restraints

Demand by Resin

Demand Overview

PVC

HDPE

PEX

CPVC

Fiberglass

ABS

Other Resins (Polypropylene, LDPE, & Other)

Demand by Market

Market Share

14. Concrete & Clay Pipe

Concrete

Scope & Definition

Demand by Market

Market Share

Clay

Scope & Definition

Demand by Market

Market Share

15. Industry Structure

Key Findings & Industry Composition

Market Share

Mergers & Acquisitions

List of Industry Participants

16. Appendix

Report Details

Definitions

Abbreviations

Freedonia Methodology

Study-Specific Methodology

Sources

Associations & Agencies

Related Studies & Reports

Macroeconomic Assumptions

Economic Environment

Demographic Trends

Building Construction

Residential Building Construction

Residential Improvements & Repairs

Commercial Building Construction

Commercial Building Improvements & Repairs

Nonbuilding Construction Expenditures

List of Tables

2. COVID-19 Pandemic

Table 2-1 Macroeconomic Indicators, 2019 - 2023 (billion 2012 dollars)

Table 2-2 Construction Expenditures, 2019 - 2023 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

Table 2-3 Annual Pipe Demand by Market, 2019 - 2022 (million linear feet)

Table 2-4 Annual Pipe Demand by Material, 2019 - 2022 (million linear feet)

3. Overview

Table 3-1 Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2021 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 3-2 Pipe Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 3-3 Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 3-4 Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet)

Table 3-5 Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million pounds)

Table 3-6 Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 3-7 Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet)

Table 3-8 Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million pounds)

Table 3-9 Average Pipe Prices by Material, 2011 - 2031 (dollars per pound & dollars per linear foot)

4. Structural & Mechanical Pipe

Table 4-1 Structural & Mechanical Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 4-2 Structural & Mechanical Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 4-3 Plastic Structural & Mechanical Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 4-4 Mechanical Pipe Demand by Application, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

5. Potable Water Pipe

Table 5-1 Potable Water Applications & Definitions

Table 5-2 Potable Water Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 5-3 Potable Water Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 5-4 Plastic Potable Water Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 5-5 Potable Water Pipe Demand by Application, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 5-6 Water Distribution Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 5-7 Water Transmission Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 5-8 Other Potable Water Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

6. Oil & Gas Pipe

Table 6-1 OCTG & Line Pipe Applications & Definitions

Table 6-2 Oil & Natural Gas Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 6-3 Oil & Natural Gas Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 6-4 Plastic Oil & Natural Gas Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 6-5 Steel Oil & Natural Gas Pipe Demand by Application, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 6-6 Oil & Natural Gas Pipe Demand by Application, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 6-7 Oil & Gas Drilling Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 6-8 Oil & Gas Transmission Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 6-9 Natural Gas Distribution Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

7. Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe

Table 7-1 Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 7-2 Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 7-3 Plastic Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 7-4 Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe Demand by Application, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 7-5 Storm Sewer Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 7-6 Sanitary Sewer Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

8. Conduit Pipe

Table 8-1 Conduit Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 8-2 Conduit Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 8-3 Plastic Conduit Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

9. Industrial Processing Pipe

Table 9-1 Industrial Processing Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 9-2 Industrial Processing Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 9-3 Plastic Industrial Processing Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

10. Drain, Waste, & Vent (DWV) Pipe

Table 10-1 Building Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

Table 10-2 Drain, Waste, & Vent (DWV) Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 10-3 Drain, Waste, & Vent Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 10-4 Plastic Drain, Waste, & Vent Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

11. Irrigation Pipe

Table 11-1 Irrigation Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 11-2 Irrigation Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

Table 11-3 Plastic Irrigation Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million linear feet & million dollars)

12. Metal Pipe

Table 12-1 Metal Pipe Demand by Material, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 12-2 Steel Pipe Supply & Demand, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Table 12-3 Steel Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 12-4 Steel Pipe Markets: Major Applications, Drivers, & Restraints

Table 12-5 Copper Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 12-6 Ductile Iron Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 12-7 Aluminum Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 12-8 Aluminum Pipe Markets: Major Applications, Drivers, & Restraints

Table 12-9 Other Nonferrous Metal Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

13. Plastic Pipe

Table 13-1 Plastic Pipe Markets: Major Applications, Drivers, & Restraints

Table 13-2 Plastic Pipe Demand by Resin, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-3 PVC Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-4 PVC Pipe: Performance Factors vs. Competitive Materials by Market

Table 13-5 HDPE Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-6 HDPE Pipe: Performance Factors vs. Competitive Materials by Market

Table 13-7 PEX Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-8 PEX Pipe Performance Factors vs. Competitive Materials by Market

Table 13-9 CPVC Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-10 CPVC Pipe Performance Factors vs. Competitive Materials by Market

Table 13-11 Fiberglass Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-12 Fiberglass Pipe: Performance Factors vs. Competitive Materials by Market

Table 13-13 ABS Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-14 ABS Pipe: Performance Factors vs. Competitive Materials by Market

Table 13-15 Other Plastic Pipe Demand by Resin & Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 13-16 Plastic Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

14. Concrete & Clay Pipe

Table 14-1 Concrete Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

Table 14-2 Clay Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars, million pounds, & million linear feet)

15. Industry Structure

Table 15-1 US Pipe Sales by Company, 2021 (million dollars)

Table 15-2 Selected Mergers & Acquisitions

Table 15-3 Selected Industry Participants

16. Appendix

Table 16-1 Relevant Industry Codes

Table 16-2 Relevant HS Codes

Table 16-3 Abbreviations & Acronyms Used in Study

Table 16-4 Macroeconomic Indicators, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

Table 16-5 Population & Households, 2011 - 2031 (million persons)

Table 16-6 Building Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

Table 16-7 Residential Building Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

Table 16-8 Residential Improvement & Repair Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

Table 16-9 Commercial Building Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

Table 16-10 Commercial Building Improvement & Repair Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

Table 16-11 Nonbuilding Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars & billion dollars)

List of Figures

1. Executive Summary

Figure 1-1 US Pipe Products & Markets

2. COVID-19 Pandemic

Figure 2-1 Real GDP by Economic Sector, 2020 - 2023 (% annual change)

Figure 2-2 Pipe Length Demand by Market, 2019 - 2022 (annual percent change)

Figure 2-3 US Pipe Market Volume Growth vs. Price Volatility, 2019 - 2022 (% annual change)

3. Overview

Figure 3-1 Pipe: Product Examples

Figure 3-2 Pipe Demand, 2001 - 2021 (million linear feet)

Figure 3-3 US Pipe Imports: Share by Source & Material, 2021 (billion dollars)

Figure 3-4 US Pipe Exports: Share by Destination & Material, 2021 (billion dollars)

Figure 3-5 Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

4. Structural & Mechanical Pipe

Figure 4-1 Refrigeration Equipment, HVAC Equipment, & Appliance Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2026 (million dollars)

Figure 4-2 Transportation Equipment Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2026 (million dollars)

Figure 4-3 Other Mechanical Pipe Demand, 2011 - 2026 (million dollars)

5. Potable Water Pipe

Figure 5-1 Potable Water Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

6. Oil & Gas Pipe

Figure 6-1 Annual Oil & Gas Wells Drilled, 2011 - 2021 (thousand wells)

7. Storm & Sanitary Sewer Pipe

Figure 7-1 Sewer Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

8. Conduit Pipe

Figure 8-1 Telecommunication Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

9. Industrial Processing Pipe

Figure 9-1 Process Manufacturers' Shipments by Type, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

10. Drain, Waste, & Vent (DWV) Pipe

Figure 10-1 Building Construction Expenditures, 2011 - 2031 (billion 2012 dollars)

11. Irrigation Pipe

Figure 11-1 Cropland Planted, 2011 - 2031 (million acres)

12. Metal Pipe

Figure 12-1 Steel Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 12-2 Steel Pipe Market Share by Company, 2019 (billion dollars)

Figure 12-3 Copper Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 12-4 Copper Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)

Figure 12-5 Ductile Iron Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 12-6 Ductile Iron Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)

Figure 12-7 Aluminum Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 12-8 Aluminum Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)

Figure 12-9 Other Nonferrous Metal Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 12-10 Other Nonferrous Metal Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (million dollars)

13. Plastic Pipe

Figure 13-1 Plastic Pipe: Product Examples

Figure 13-2 Plastic Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 13-3 Plastic Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)

14. Concrete & Clay Pipe

Figure 14-1 Concrete Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 14-2 Concrete Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)

Figure 14-3 Clay Pipe Demand by Market, 2011 - 2031 (million dollars)

Figure 14-4 Clay Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (million dollars)

15. Industry Structure

Figure 15-1 US Pipe Market Share by Company, 2021 (billion dollars)

Figure 15-2 Projected US Pipe Market Share by Company, 2022

Figure 15-3 US Pipe Market: Leading Supplier, 2021

Figure 15-4 US Pipe Market: Second Leading Supplier, 2021

Figure 15-5 US Pipe Market: Third Leading Supplier, 2021

Figure 15-6 US Pipe Market: Fourth Leading Supplier, 2021

Figure 15-7 US Pipe Market: Fifth Leading Supplier, 2021