Plastic pipe industry recovering in Europe and NAFTA but booming in South America.In three new reports, leading plastics industry consultant, Applied Market Information Ltd. (AMI) has documented the established European and North American pipe extrusion industries, as well as the up and coming industry of South America. What these reports make evident is that the effects of global recession are still taking their toll on the plastics industry and that the pipe extrusion industry is no exception.
A 12% drop in the number of pipe extruders listed in AMI’s guide to the pipe extrusion industry in Europe, 5th Edition highlights the effects of the global economic crisis of the previous years on the European pipe industry. The remaining 493 listed production sites across Europe are estimated to have been responsible for the consumption of nearly 3 million tonnes of polymer in 2011.
The recovery in the building market in Europe from the recession has been slower and more cautious than for most other plastic market segments (e.g. automotive and packaging) resulting in only relatively modest gains in polymer demand for pipe applications in 2010 and 2011.
The North American market also saw declining sales volumes for pipe producers in 2008 and 2009 although, as in Europe, there has been a modest recovery in 2010 and 2011. The market there is estimated to account for over 3.6 million tonnes.
The aim of AMI’s guide to the pipe extrusion industry in NAFTA, 1st Edition is to provide accurate and up-to-date information on pipe extrusion plants in Canada, Mexico and the United States of America. This information has been compiled using AMI’s extensive knowledge of the industry on a global basis and not only provides a directory and listing of 520 pipe extruders within the NAFTA region, but also an overview and summary of the current status of the industry.
In contrast the demand for pipe extrusion in Latin America has been growing strongly, and AMI has accordingly seen fit to publish a brand new report detailing these developments: AMI’s guide to the pipe extrusion industry in South America, 1st Edition.
This shows that the region's committed development to improving infrastructure has had a resounding effect on the expansion of the pipe industry, with over 200 production sites listed within the report.
The size of the industry is however still considerably smaller than its North American and European counterparts with less than 1 million tonnes of polymer consumed in 2011.
