Flexible Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Plastics, with Fittings Market

The global market for flexible tubes, pipes, and hoses of plastics with fittings is expected to continue growing over the next eight years, with consumption forecasted to increase at a CAGR of +1.3% and market volume projected to reach 1M tons by 2030. In value terms, the market is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of +3.5%, reaching $13.8B by 2030. The highest volume of consumption in 2022 was recorded in China, the United States, and India, while the largest markets in terms of value were the United States, Japan, and China. Import and export trends show a steady increase in both volume and value, with notable growth rates in certain countries such as Spain and the UK. Overall, the global market for flexible tubes, pipes, and hoses of plastics with fittings is set to see continued growth in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.5% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $13.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Flexible Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Plastics, with Fittings

For the fourth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in consumption of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings, which increased by 1.7% to 925K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2017 when the consumption volume increased by 5.5% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

The value of the market for flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings worldwide declined modestly to $10.5B in 2022, waning by -1.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $10.7B in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (198K tons), the United States (129K tons) and India (80K tons), with a combined 44% share of global consumption. The UK, Japan, Brazil, Germany, the Czech Republic, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Iran and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of fittings, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by Ireland (with a CAGR of +34.9%), while fittings for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings markets worldwide were the United States ($3.1B), Japan ($2.6B) and China ($874M), together accounting for 63% of the global market. The UK, India, Germany, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Ireland, the Czech Republic, Italy and Iran lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 21%.

Ireland, with a CAGR of +29.8%, saw the highest growth rate of market size among the main consuming countries over the period under review, while fittings for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings per capita consumption in 2022 were Ireland (3,237 kg per 1000 persons), the Czech Republic (2,460 kg per 1000 persons) and the UK (561 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Ireland (with a CAGR of +33.6%), while fittings for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Flexible Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Plastics, with Fittings

For the fourth year in a row, the global market recorded growth in production of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings, which increased by 0.8% to 920K tons in 2022. In general, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 with an increase of 5%. Over the period under review, global production of reached the maximum volume in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, production of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings dropped modestly to $9.4B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when the production volume increased by 14%. As a result, production reached the peak level of $10.5B. From 2020 to 2022, global production of growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (229K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of production of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings, comprising approx. 25% of total volume. Moreover, production of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (101K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (80K tons), with an 8.7% share.

In China, production of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (-3.5% per year) and India (+2.2% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Flexible Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Plastics, with Fittings

In 2022, supplies from abroad of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings increased by 0.8% to 167K tons, rising for the seventh consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, total imports indicated a temperate increase from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +53.1% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when imports increased by 15%. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, imports of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings expanded remarkably to $1.9B in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed resilient growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when imports increased by 28% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports of attained the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in years to come.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (35K tons), distantly followed by Germany (15K tons), Belgium (8K tons) and the Netherlands (7.8K tons) were the main importers of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings, together committing 40% of total imports. Mexico (7.1K tons), the Czech Republic (6.1K tons), France (6.1K tons), the UK (4.8K tons), Spain (4.5K tons), Saudi Arabia (4K tons), Austria (3.7K tons), Canada (2.9K tons) and Switzerland (2.5K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into the United States increased at an average annual rate of +9.7% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Saudi Arabia (+24.6%), the Netherlands (+18.9%), the Czech Republic (+10.6%), Belgium (+8.1%), Canada (+7.2%), Germany (+5.2%), the UK (+4.2%) and France (+3.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Saudi Arabia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +24.6% from 2012-2022. Switzerland and Spain experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Mexico (-1.5%) and Austria (-2.0%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of the United States (+8.1 p.p.), the Netherlands (+3.4 p.p.), Saudi Arabia (+2 p.p.) and the Czech Republic (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global imports from 2012-2022, the share of Austria (-2 p.p.) and Mexico (-3.4 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the United States ($438M) constitutes the largest market for imported flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings worldwide, comprising 23% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Germany ($193M), with a 10% share of global imports. It was followed by the Netherlands, with a 6.4% share.

In the United States, imports of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings expanded at an average annual rate of +14.0% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+9.4% per year) and the Netherlands (+26.2% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings amounted to $11,212 per ton, rising by 13% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a prominent increase from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, import price for flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings increased by +57.1% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Switzerland ($27,566 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($3,675 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Switzerland (+16.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Flexible Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Plastics, with Fittings

After five years of growth, overseas shipments of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings decreased by -4% to 162K tons in 2022. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 when exports increased by 9.7% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 169K tons in 2021, and then dropped modestly in the following year.

In value terms, exports of flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings amounted to $1.8B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, continue to indicate a strong expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the global exports of attained the maximum in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports By Country

The biggest shipments were from China (32K tons), Mexico (27K tons) and Germany (19K tons), together reaching 48% of total export. It was distantly followed by Italy (10K tons) and the United States (7.9K tons), together creating an 11% share of total exports. The Czech Republic (6.1K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (5.4K tons), the Netherlands (4.7K tons), Spain (4.4K tons), France (4.4K tons), Slovakia (4.2K tons), North Macedonia (4K tons) and the UK (3.6K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main exporting countries, was attained by Spain (with a CAGR of +9.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($255M), Germany ($223M) and Mexico ($188M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 37% share of global exports. China, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Italy, Taiwan (Chinese), Spain, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and North Macedonia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 39%.

The UK, with a CAGR of +19.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average export price for flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings amounted to $11,100 per ton, picking up by 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, export price for flexible tubes, pipes and hoses of plastics, with fittings increased by +77.2% against 2012 indices. As a result, the export price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($33,645 per ton), while North Macedonia ($2,869 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the UK (+16.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform