Ethylene Polymer Rigid Pipes Market

The global ethylene polymer rigid pipes market is expected to witness a positive trend in both consumption and production volumes over the next eight years. The market is projected to reach 12M tons in volume and $46.4B in value by 2030, with a CAGR of +1.6% and +4.0% respectively. China leads in both consumption and production, with significant growth rates in both aspects. Germany and the United States are major players in imports and exports. Price trends show some fluctuations, with Switzerland having the highest export price. Overall, the market is set to experience steady growth in the near future.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of ethylene worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 12M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $46.4B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Ethylene

Global ethylene polymer rigid pipes consumption rose to 11M tons in 2022, picking up by 2.1% compared with the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 9.6% against the previous year. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 11M tons; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

The global ethylene polymer rigid pipes market size was estimated at $33.8B in 2022, approximately equating the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the market value increased by 6.6% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Consumption By Country

China (2.5M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of ethylene polymer rigid pipes consumption, accounting for 23% of total volume. Moreover, ethylene polymer rigid pipes consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (1.1M tons), twofold. India (859K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with an 8.1% share.

In China, ethylene polymer rigid pipes consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-0.4% per year) and India (+5.2% per year).

In value terms, the largest ethylene polymer rigid pipes markets worldwide were China ($6.7B), Turkey ($4.9B) and the United States ($4.2B), together accounting for 47% of the global market.

Turkey, with a CAGR of +9.5%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of ethylene polymer rigid pipes per capita consumption in 2022 were Turkey (4.4 kg per person), Spain (4.4 kg per person) and Russia (3.5 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +7.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Ethylene

Global ethylene polymer rigid pipes production rose to 11M tons in 2022, increasing by 2.2% compared with the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the production volume increased by 9.7% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 11M tons; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

In value terms, ethylene polymer rigid pipes production shrank slightly to $33.9B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the production volume increased by 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum level at $41.5B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (2.6M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of ethylene polymer rigid pipes production, comprising approx. 24% of total volume. Moreover, ethylene polymer rigid pipes production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (991K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (875K tons), with an 8.2% share.

In China, ethylene polymer rigid pipes production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.7% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-1.3% per year) and India (+5.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Ethylene

Global ethylene polymer rigid pipes imports rose notably to 899K tons in 2022, increasing by 9.6% compared with the previous year. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a remarkable increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +28.6% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, ethylene polymer rigid pipes imports skyrocketed to $3B in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.0% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +46.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The United States (99K tons) and Germany (91K tons) represented roughly 21% of total imports in 2022. It was followed by France (56K tons), comprising a 6.2% share of total imports. Canada (31K tons), the Netherlands (31K tons), Iraq (28K tons), Austria (23K tons), the UK (20K tons), Poland (20K tons), Belgium (18K tons), Denmark (17K tons), Switzerland (16K tons) and Bulgaria (15K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the United States (with a CAGR of +17.8%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest ethylene polymer rigid pipes importing markets worldwide were Germany ($357M), the United States ($263M) and France ($163M), together accounting for 26% of global imports.

The United States, with a CAGR of +15.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, in terms of the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average ethylene polymer rigid pipes import price stood at $3,313 per ton in 2022, rising by 5.8% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the average import price increased by 9% against the previous year. Global import price peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($4,503 per ton), while Iraq ($1,698 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+6.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Ethylene

For the third consecutive year, the global market recorded growth in overseas shipments of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of ethylene, which increased by 10% to 957K tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 14%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, ethylene polymer rigid pipes exports expanded markedly to $3.1B in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +38.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China (113K tons), Germany (91K tons), Italy (90K tons), Mexico (61K tons), Turkey (57K tons), Poland (48K tons) and the United States (38K tons) represented roughly 52% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Denmark (24K tons), Canada (21K tons), Spain (20K tons), Belgium (20K tons), India (19K tons) and Switzerland (17K tons) - together made up 13% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +53.7%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest ethylene polymer rigid pipes supplying countries worldwide were Germany ($380M), China ($332M) and Italy ($304M), with a combined 32% share of global exports. The United States, Poland, Mexico, Turkey, Denmark, Switzerland, Canada, Belgium, Spain and India lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Mexico, with a CAGR of +51.9%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average ethylene polymer rigid pipes export price amounted to $3,284 per ton, with an increase of 2.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 9.6%. The global export price peaked at $3,284 per ton in 2013; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($5,053 per ton), while Turkey ($2,045 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform