TPT March 2018

I NDUS T RY

A study of the European market for plastic pipes from Ceresana

compared to the west. The analysts at Ceresana expect higher growth rates of plastic pipe consumption for Eastern Europe in the future, especially because the networks for water supply and sewage continue to have a high backlog demand. Chapter 1 of Ceresana’s study provides a description and analysis of the European market for plastic pipes, including forecasts up to 2024. Chapter 2 deals with the different application areas of plastic pipes within individual countries, while Chapter 3 provides an overview of the demand for individual types of pipes split by the national markets. Chapter 4 provides company profiles of the largest manufacturers of plastic pipes, arranged according to contact details, revenues, profit, product range, production sites and profile summary.

used in the energy industry. The pipe mills have a combined capacity of 250,000 tonnes per year. Mr Annal, who has already assumed his position as chief executive of Liberty Pipe, is a prominent and experienced leader in the global steel industry’s pipe sector, having been chief executive of tubular products across Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia for steel company ArcelorMittal. Following completion of the Hartlepool acquisition, Liberty House Group executive chairman Sanjeev Gupta said, “This is an important first step in our ambition to become a world leader in energy pipe and we are already looking at plants in other countries. The acquisition of this high-calibre business and its skilled workforce gives us the basis to upgrade the liquid industry, where plastic has turned into a real alternative to other materials. The degree of importance various applications areas have for different types of pipes, however, varies considerably. For example, pipes made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) are relatively cheap and are used extensively in the sewage, potable water and cable protection sectors. Pipes based on polypropylene and polyethylene take a more important role in applications in potable water, gas supply and industry. Demand for high-quality pipes made of polypropylene and polyethylene is particularly increasing in the relatively saturated markets of Western Europe, while demand for PVC pipes is barely growing. In Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, for instance, the demand for plastic pipes is developing positively. Some southern European countries, such as Spain, are not expected to see any significant recovery in the short term. In Eastern Europe, PVC pipes are experiencing even higher growth

METALS and industrials group Liberty House is targeting a key role in the global oil and gas pipeline sector, after completing the purchase in August of two pipe mills from Tata Steel UK, and appointing steel pipe specialist James Annal to head its new pipe and tube division. Liberty, part of the GFG Alliance, intends to rebuild the previously struggling operation in Hartlepool, UK, adding around 100 new jobs to the existing 140-strong workforce, and to give the group a strong position in the global oil and gas pipe market. The group aims to supply the 84" and 42" longitudinal submerged arc welded (LSAW) mills in Hartlepool with steel from its plate facilities in Scotland, where it plans to develop the capability to make heavy duty API grade steel ALTHOUGH sewage systems have been around for about 5,000 years, they are not available everywhere. In France, for instance, more than five million households are not connected to the public sewage network. In rural areas in particular, the sewage infrastructure in Europe still has to be expanded. In cities, it is less about new construction than replacing old piping systems. For sewage, potable water, cable protection, gas piping and other applications, pipes made of plastic are becoming more popular. They are lightweight, robust and handy, and are increasingly replacing aluminium, concrete cast iron, copper or steel. The market research company Ceresana has analysed the European market for plastic pipes for the third time, and has forecast demand to increase to over 5.2mn tonnes until 2024. The demand for plastic pipes particularly depends on the development of the construction

Ceresana – Germany Email: info@ceresana.com Website: www.ceresana.com

Liber ty completes Har tlepool acquisition from Tata Steel UK

steel production facilities we’re buying at Whyalla, South Australia, and our plate mills at Dalzell and Clydebridge in Scotland to make high-value-added API grade plates that can be rolled at Hartlepool to supply pipeline projects worldwide.” Under the planned agreement, the neighbouring 20" mill, which makes high frequency induction (HFI) pipe, would remain in the ownership of Tata Steel UK, as it is linked to the company’s strip products business centred on steelmaking in Port Talbot. Liberty House Group – UK Email: contactus@libertyhg.com Website: www.libertyhousegroup.com

Tata Steel UK Website: www.tatasteel.com

46

www.read-tpt.com

MARCH 2018