Structural Transformation of the Global Pipe Industry: Regional Differentiation and Technological Upgrading Opportunities under Slowing Growth

The global pipe industry is entering a “structural reshaping period”

In the past decade, the global pipe industry has achieved rapid growth through urbanization, infrastructure construction, and real estate expansion. But after entering 2024, the industry will gradually bid farewell to the extensive expansion stage and enter a new cycle of moderate growth and structural adjustment in parallel.

According to research data from multiple industries, the global pipe industry is expected to maintain a steady annual growth rate of approximately 3.8% in the coming years. This growth rate is not radical, but has qualitative characteristics: there is a significant differentiation in regional demand structure, technological barriers and green standards continue to rise, and the competitive logic of enterprises undergoes fundamental changes.

1.Analysis of the overall growth trend of the global pipe industry

1.1 Slowing growth rate but resilience still exists

The core driving force of global pipe demand is shifting from “new construction” to “renovation+energy efficiency upgrade”:

• Upgrading old urban pipelines has become a long-term demand
• Industrial and energy projects place greater emphasis on safety and lifecycle
• Continuous improvement in standards for water resources, gas, and heating systems

This has resulted in the industry exhibiting a “low-speed but long-term” growth characteristic, rather than cyclical fluctuations.

1.2 Upgrading of demand structure for pipe categories

The growth of traditional low-end pipes (ordinary PVC, low specification steel pipes) is slowing down, while the demand for the following products is significantly increasing:

• High performance plastic pipes (PERT, PEX, PB)
• Corrosion resistant and high-temperature resistant composite pipes
• New material pipelines that meet low-carbon and recyclable requirements

2.Regional Structural Differentiation: Different Logic of Asia Pacific vs European and American Markets

2.1 Asia Pacific region: the largest demand volume, still the global growth engine

The Asia Pacific region currently accounts for nearly half of the global demand for pipes, with core reasons including:

• Population size and urbanization continue to advance
• Infrastructure is still in the stage of filling gaps
• Intensive industrial manufacturing and energy projects

Among them, China, India, and Southeast Asian countries maintain high demand in municipal water supply and drainage, gas transmission and distribution, and industrial pipelines.

However, it should be noted that the Asia Pacific market is shifting from “quantity growth” to “quality screening”, and the pace of low-end capacity elimination is accelerating.

2.2 European and American markets: focusing on “green upgrading” and “stock replacement”

Unlike the Asia Pacific region, the European and American markets have limited new demand, with growth mainly coming from:

• Old pipeline network renewal
• Promoting Energy Efficiency and Carbon Emission Regulations
• High standard buildings and industrial projects

In these markets, product certification, environmental compliance, and brand reputation have become decisive factors, and the weight of price competition has significantly decreased.

3.Green and technological upgrading: a common direction for the global pipe industry

3.1 Changes in Material Selection under Carbon Neutrality Background

Countries are gradually raising the environmental threshold for construction and infrastructure projects, promoting:

• Increased proportion of recyclable materials
• Traceability of energy consumption and emissions in pipe production
• Life Cycle Cost (LCC) becomes a procurement reference indicator

This puts significant pressure on companies with insufficient technological accumulation and a single product line.

3.2 Penetration of Digitalization and Intelligent Manufacturing

More and more pipe companies are introducing:

• Automated extrusion and online detection system
• Product traceability and quality data management
• Digital Supply Chain and Delivery Capability

These abilities are becoming the ‘hidden thresholds’ in international project bidding.

4.Structural opportunities outweigh cyclical opportunities

The global pipe industry has not declined, but has entered a new stage of significant differentiation and increased barriers to entry. The future winners are more likely to be:

Enterprises that deeply cultivate regional markets and understand local regulations
Manufacturers with accumulated technology and certification system
A brand that can provide system solutions rather than a single product

Luoyang Datang Energy Tech Co.Ltd is a leading Chinese manufacturer specializing in high-quality plastic pipes and fittings. Equipped with state-of-the-art automated production lines and supported by a team of 200 professionals, we offer an extensive product line comprising over 150 types of plastic pipes and fittings designed for water supply and drainage systems, gas transmission, and floor heating systems. Our main products include PVC Pipes and Fittings, PE (HDPE) Pipes and Fittings, PPR Pipes and Fittings, and PEX Floor Heating Pipes.