Plastic Pipes Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Adoption of water treatment plants - The demand for water is exceeding its supply, leading to limited access to clean water for agriculture, drinking, sanitation, and industry. As per the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) data published in 2020, at least two-thirds of the global population experiences water scarcity for almost one month every year. Thus, water treatment plants play a crucial role in disinfecting water for different purposes, and mitigating the repercussions of water scarcity. Plastic pipes are sustainable solutions for the transport of wastewater to treatment plants, and then to the discharge point.
• Recyclability of plastics - APP, PE, and PVC are the most common thermoplastics used to make pipes. They are easily reprocessed and recycled since they can be cut, remelted, and reformed. Off-cuts can be easily recycled into new pipes with a service life of over 100 years as they are 100% recyclable. For instance, in 2024, the MPA Skills Plumbing and Plastics Industry Pipe Association of Australia (PIPA), Vinidex, and Pipemakers collaboratively established a wide PVC and PE pipe and fitting recycling program in Washington. This is aimed to facilitate off-cut disposal of PVC and PE plastic pipes, diverting them from landfills and recycling them into new long-lasting pipes.
• Growing government initiatives - Farmers and agricultural businesses receive government-funded incentives to buy drip irrigation systems, sprinklers, and other water-efficient irrigation equipment. Various schemes and programs are formulated and implemented by the government for the development of infrastructure for drinking water, and irrigation supplies in underdeveloped areas.
  
  As part of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana, the Department of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare in India introduced the CSS of Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) from 2015 to 2022. This scheme is being executed under the Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana, since 2022-23. PDMC works with plastic pipe and Micro Irrigation (Drip and Sprinkler) systems to improve farm water use.

Challenges

• Environmental hazards - The extensive use of plastics end up accumulating in landfills and waterways. In 2021, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) mentioned that 12.5 million tonnes of agricultural plastic products were used in 2019. Concerns about improper plastic waste disposal have impelled the adoption of more responsible models in agriculture, including sustainable and circular bioeconomy.
• Strict rules & regulations - The implementation of stringent regulations regarding the utilization and disposal of plastics impede market growth. The increasing awareness of plastic pollution and its environmental impact may lead to a widespread public nonacceptance of plastic products thus deteriorating the plastic pipe market growth.