Vinyl Chloride Polymer Rigid Pipes Market

The global market for rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride is expected to continue growing over the period from 2022 to 2030. Market performance is forecasted to expand with a CAGR of +1.7% in terms of consumption volume and +3.9% in terms of market value. China leads the way as the largest consumer and producer of vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes, with significant growth rates over the past decade. The United States and India also hold significant shares of the market. Global trade in these products is also on the rise, with notable fluctuations in import and export volumes and prices. Overall, the market for rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of vinyl chloride polymers is dynamic and expected to see continued growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride 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 +1.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 11M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $31.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Vinyl Chloride

In 2022, the amount of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride consumed worldwide fell to 9.7M tons, with a decrease of -2.3% compared with the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at 10M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

The revenue of the market for rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride worldwide contracted to $23.4B in 2022, reducing by -3.2% against 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). In general, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $25.1B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (2M tons) remains the largest vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes consuming country worldwide, accounting for 21% of total volume. Moreover, vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (922K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (727K tons), with a 7.5% share.

In China, vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-2.7% per year) and India (+3.3% per year).

In value terms, the largest vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes markets worldwide were China ($3.7B), the United States ($3B) and Japan ($2.2B), together comprising 38% of the global market. India, the Philippines, South Korea, Brazil, Pakistan, Mexico, Russia, the UK, Spain and France lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Spain, with a CAGR of +7.8%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size 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 vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes per capita consumption in 2022 were Spain (4 kg per person), Japan (3.6 kg per person) and South Korea (3.4 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Spain (with a CAGR of +5.4%), 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 Vinyl Chloride

Global vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes production fell to 9.8M tons in 2022, waning by -2% on the previous year's figure. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 10M tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes production fell modestly to $24B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% 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 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $30.5B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (2.1M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes production, accounting for 22% of total volume. Moreover, vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (896K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by India (762K tons), with a 7.8% share.

In China, vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes production increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-3.1% per year) and India (+3.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Vinyl Chloride

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in supplies from abroad of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride, when their volume decreased by -5% to 730K tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 11%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 768K tons, and then reduced slightly in the following year.

In value terms, vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes imports expanded markedly to $2B in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a tangible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.8% 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 +45.3% against 2020 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 35%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, France (82K tons) and the United States (66K tons) represented the largest importers of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chlorideacross the globe, together committing 20% of total imports. Iraq (29K tons), Belgium (27K tons), Saudi Arabia (26K tons), Canada (24K tons), the UK (22K tons), Singapore (21K tons), Hong Kong SAR (14K tons), Germany (14K tons), the Czech Republic (14K tons) and Honduras (12K tons) took a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of +8.3%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($232M), France ($205M) and Canada ($131M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 29% share of global imports.

The United States, with a CAGR of +12.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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 import price for rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride stood at $2,672 per ton in 2022, rising by 13% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.5%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 22% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Canada ($5,385 per ton), while Hong Kong SAR ($1,396 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+6.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Vinyl Chloride

In 2022, approx. 834K tons of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride were exported worldwide; remaining constant against the previous year's figure. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being observed in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 14%. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 843K tons, and then shrank slightly in the following year.

In value terms, vinyl chloride polymer rigid pipes exports rose notably to $2.2B in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a measured increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% 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 +82.2% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 34%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

China (103K tons) and Italy (77K tons) represented roughly 22% of total exports in 2022. The Netherlands (48K tons) held a 5.7% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Spain (5.2%), the United States (4.7%) and Germany (4.7%). The following exporters - India (37K tons), Bahrain (33K tons), Malaysia (27K tons), Cote d'Ivoire (27K tons), Canada (27K tons), Guatemala (26K tons) and Turkey (25K tons) - together made up 24% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the key exporting countries, was attained by Cote d'Ivoire (with a CAGR of +12.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($248M), the United States ($221M) and Italy ($198M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 30% share of global exports. Spain, Germany, the Netherlands, Canada, India, Guatemala, Bahrain, Malaysia, Turkey and Cote d'Ivoire lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, India, with a CAGR of +12.6%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to 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 export price for rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of vinyl chloride amounted to $2,647 per ton, picking up by 15% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.8%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average export price increased by 18%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the maximum in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($5,620 per ton), while Cote d'Ivoire ($1,126 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 (+6.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform