U.K. MDPE Pipe Market Insights, 2031

Manufacturers Focus on Understanding Competitive Cost Position during COVID-19 Crisis

As the impacts of COVID-19 ripples across the globe, pipe manufacturers find themselves operating in a fundamentally new reality. In response to supply chain interruptions, companies in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply are either relocating or ramping up the production of critical products for healthcare and residential sectors.

Stakeholders in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply are entering into merger & acquisition (M&A) deals to cater with mission-critical projects in sewage and agricultural applications. Companies are seeking secondary manufacturers who can produce pipes during the ongoing pandemic so that the former can focus on marketing and distribution of pipes. Manufacturers are increasing efforts to understand their competitive cost position and break-even point.

Resistance to Cracks, Easy Installation Compensate for High Cost of MDPE Pipes

MDPE (Medium-density Polyethylene) pipes are being increasingly used in home installations and commercial establishments. However, the cost of buying MDPE is a little higher as compared to ordinary pipes. As such, the total cost of ownership in the long-run is benefitting customers. Advantages such as high resistance to cracks, changes in temperatures, and easy installations are compensating for its high cost price.

MDPE pipes are emerging as an alternative to galvanized steel pipes, owing to the advantage of easy installation. Manufacturers in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply are increasing the availability of pipes that can withstand any kind of shock, leading to few incidence of cracking.

Distribution Mains, Above Ground Services Trigger Demand for MDPE Pipes

There is a growing demand for MDPE pipes for connections between the distribution mains to individual properties and for above ground services, if the pipes are installed within protective ducts. Build Plumb Plastics Ltd. - a building materials supplier in England, is recognizing this demand and building a comprehensive product portfolio in MDPE water pipes across various diameters and coil lengths.

The U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply is predicted to reach an output of 41,031.49 tons by the end of 2031. Manufacturers are increasing production of pipes that are WRAS (Water Regulations Advisory Scheme) approved and conform to BS EN 12201 specifications.

MDPE Pipes with Excellent Technical Characteristics Meet Demands in Sewage Applications

The U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply is projected to reach US$ 113.19 Mn by 2031. Weatherproof and long service life features are being preferred in MDPE pipes to achieve high stress cracking resistance. Sewage, seawater, and corporations are catalyzing the demand for these pipes. Manufacturers are increasing their R&D capabilities to produce pipes with best technical and operational characteristics.

Residential colonies and housing societies are creating stable revenue streams for manufacturers in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply. Manufacturers are using special sky blue color in MDPE pipes to indicate that the material does not contain any impurities and is made of 100% virgin material.

Copolymerization of Ethylene, Other Comonomer Increases Tensile Strength of MDPE Pipes

The U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply is slated to register a CAGR of 1.66% during the forecast period. Potentially fragmented nature of the market has led to increased competition and increasing number of supplier leading to accelerated oversupply of pipe products. Hence, stakeholders are anticipated to diversify their production capabilities in other polyethylene pipes to expand revenue streams.

High tensile strength and superior rigidity are being preferred in MDPE pipes. Manufacturers in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply are gaining proficiency in changing the density of polyethylene through copolymerization of ethylene and other comonomer. This change leads to the addition of new cross-linking among polymers, which helps to increase the tensile strength of MDPE pipes.

Analysts’ Viewpoint

Companies in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply are focusing on value creation by establishing customer integration in various end-use applications during the COVID-19 crisis. MDPE pipes are being augmented with special polyethylene additives, which make it immune to harmful UV rays of the sun and make it an ideal choice for over the ground open laying of water pipelines.

Slow crack growth (SCG) remains one of the most common failure modes in long-term loaded plastic structures such as pressure pipe. Hence, manufacturers in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply should use special imported raw materials, which are certified for slow crack resistance.

U.K. MDPE Pipe Market for Water Supply: Overview

• According to Transparency Market Research’s latest research report on the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply for the historical period of 2020 and forecast period of 2021 to 2031, growth in the construction sector and investments in infrastructure development are boosting the demand for MDPE pipes that distribute water across the country, as MDPE pipes offer corrosion resistance properties
• In terms of value, the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply is estimated to exceed US$ 113.19 Mn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 1.66% during the forecast period. Construction is one of the major industries in the U.K. Investment in the construction industry is rising significantly in the U.K. due to the increase in the number of new construction orders in public and private sectors.
• According to the Office for National Statistics, the expenditure on new construction in Great Britain was valued at US$ 151,756.4 Mn in 2019, i.e. new construction work grew by 5.2% (US$ 7,531.9 Mn) in 2019 compared to that in 2018. New construction work in the public sector rose by 10.8% (US$ 3,836.7 Mn) in 2019, which mirrored the 2018 annual growth and was the largest annual growth in public new work since 2010 when it rose by 24.6%. Private new work rose by 3.4% (US$ 3,695.2 Mn) in 2019 compared to that in 2018.
• The trend is expected to continue due to the rise in new construction work orders. The U.K. Government expects 60% of all new housing developments to be built on brownfield sites by the end of 2021. Thus, significant growth of the building & construction sector is anticipated to boost the demand for MDPE pipes for water supply in the U.K.

Quality of MDPE to Impart Better Properties to Pipes Employed in Various End-use Industries: Key Driver of MDPE Pipe Market for Water Supply

• Benefits of MDPE pipes are expected to fuel the overall demand for MDPE pipes in the near future, as MDPE pipes are low-cost alternatives for other pipes. MDPE pipes are affordable for usage in agriculture and other end-use sectors, due to the following properties:
  • Corrosion Resistance: Rise in deterioration of water pipelines due to corrosion in old iron pipes hampers their capability to provide safe drinking water. It is a complicated issue faced by several regions across the world. MDPE pipes are resistant to underground external corrosion as well as internal pipe corrosion.
  • Chemical Resistance: MDPE pipes are inert and exhibit excellent resistance to a wide range of chemical reagents and disinfectant chemicals. MDPE pipes are highly suitable for usage in water infrastructure projects, as they can carry a majority of strong acids, alkalis, and aqueous solutions; aliphatic hydrocarbons; fluorides; photographic and plating solutions; brine; mineral oils; fats; and alcohols.
  • Decrease in Failures, Blockages in Wastewater Pipelines: Pipe blockage is a major concern associated with any pipeline system. It can cause substantial damage and incur high cost of repairs. Water flowing slowly through a pipeline increases the risk of blockages and failures in a system with several connections. The extremely smooth lining of PE pipes can be compared to copper, clay, or concrete pipes. It reduces resistance to water flow and ensures that the water reaches its intended destination at a proper pressure. PE piping allows water to flow freely and maximizes water pressure.
  • Low Cost: MDPE pipes offer significant cost savings for projects in terms of quick installation, low breakage rates, and low lifecycle costs. The longevity of MDPE pipes also implies that pipes function more efficiently, thus reducing maintenance of pipes and making them more affordable over time.
  • Ideal Choice for Pipes under Load: MDPE pipes are extremely flexible. They can flex without breaking when loaded externally by soil weight and heavy-duty traffic. Rigid pipes, such as those made of concrete, clay, or ceramic, cannot flex when loaded. They experience wall crushing and collapse when their load limit is reached. The diameter of an MDPE pipe begins to increase when the pipe encounters external loading. If a pipe is buried in supportive soil conditions, stiffness of the soil combined with that of the pipe resists deflection.
  • Light Weight: MDPE pipes offer significant weight advantage over other piping materials. Low weight of MDPE piping implies that installers are less likely to get injured. A team of workers or mechanical hoists may be required to carry a large section of a metal pipe, while an MDPE pipe is so light that a single person can easily move a long piece of the pipe. Thus, fewer numbers of installers are required. Furthermore, MDPE piping can be installed quicker than iron or steel piping. Low weight also leads to inexpensive transport, as a majority of transport companies charge by weight.

U.K. MDPE Pipe Market for Water Supply: Competition Landscape

• Detailed profiles of providers of MDPE pipe for water supply have been provided in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply report to evaluate their financials, key product offerings, recent developments, and strategies
• Key players operating in the MDPE pipe market for water supply in the U.K. are
  • Borealis AG
  • INEOS
  • LG Chem
  • Dow
  • SCG Chemicals Co.
  • NOVA Chemicals Corporate
  • Westlake Chemical Corporation
  • BASF SE
  • LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.
  • SABIC

U.K. MDPE Pipe Market for Water Supply: Key Developments

• Key providers of MDPE pipe for water supply in the U.K., such as SABIC and LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., are focusing on designing advanced and cost-effective solutions to attract higher number of customers. Major developments in the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply are highlighted below:
  • In July 2021, SABIC launched its certified circular polycarbonate (PC) resin and blends made from the upcycling of post-consumer mixed plastic. This solution, based on advanced recycling, demonstrates SABIC’s ongoing commitment toward a circular economy for plastics. Post-consumer mixed plastic is used as feedstock to produce polycarbonate.
  • In June 2021, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. announced commencement of Ulsan PP Co., Ltd.’s 400 kiloton per annum (KTA) polypropylene production facility. The facility, located in the southeastern port city of Ulsan, South Korea, is one of the largest of its kinds in Asia. Ulsan PP Co., Ltd. is a joint venture between PolyMirae Company Ltd., a 50:50 partnership of LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V. and DL Chemical, and SK Advanced. The facility uses Industries Holdings B.V.’s fifth generation Spheripol PP process technology.

U.K. MDPE Pipe Market for Water Supply Snapshot

U.K. MDPE Pipe Market for Water Supply – Segmentation

TMR’s research study assesses the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply based on end-use. The report presents extensive market dynamics and progressive trends associated with different segments and how they are influencing growth prospects of the U.K. MDPE pipe market for water supply.