Oct 26, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Rigid Tubes, Pipes And Hoses Of Polymers Of Propylene – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK market for propylene polymer rigid pipes is forecast for modest growth, with a volume CAGR of +0.9% and a value CAGR of +2.4% from 2024 to 2035, reaching 26K tons and $359M respectively. Current consumption and production have declined significantly from their 2015 peaks. The UK is a net importer, with Ireland and Germany being key suppliers, while exports are directed to diverse markets like Norway and Germany, with Norway commanding the highest export price.
Key Findings
Market forecast to grow to 26K tons and $359M by 2035 with a value CAGR of +2.4%Domestic consumption and production have shown a perceptible decline from 2015 peaksThe UK is a net importer, with main suppliers being Ireland, Germany, and the NetherlandsExports are growing, with Norway, Germany, and the US as key destinationsSignificant price disparities exist, with Norway paying over $57,000 per ton for exportsMarket Forecast
Driven by rising demand for propylene polymer rigid pipes in the UK, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next decade. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.9% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 26K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $359M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Propylene
In 2024, the amount of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of propylene consumed in the UK dropped to 24K tons, standing approx. at the year before. Over the period under review, consumption saw a perceptible decline. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 53K tons. From 2016 to 2024, the growth of the consumption failed to regain momentum.
The revenue of the propylene polymer rigid pipes market in the UK amounted to $277M in 2024, approximately reflecting 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). Overall, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $530M. From 2016 to 2024, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Propylene
Propylene polymer rigid pipes production in the UK fell modestly to 23K tons in 2024, with a decrease of -1.5% against 2023. In general, production showed a noticeable slump. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 245% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 52K tons. From 2016 to 2024, production growth failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, propylene polymer rigid pipes production totaled $283M in 2024 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the production volume increased by 207%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $536M. From 2016 to 2024, production growth failed to regain momentum.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Propylene
In 2024, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas purchases of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of propylene, when their volume increased by 10% to 2K tons. Overall, imports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 with an increase of 22%. Imports peaked at 2.9K tons in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2024, imports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, propylene polymer rigid pipes imports expanded significantly to $13M in 2024. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when imports increased by 18%. Imports peaked in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.
Imports By Country
Ireland (627 tons), Germany (447 tons) and Italy (169 tons) were the main suppliers of propylene polymer rigid pipes imports to the UK, with a combined 61% share of total imports. The Netherlands, China, Spain, Poland, Romania, Austria, Belgium, France and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 32%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Romania (with a CAGR of +94.6%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($2.9M), Ireland ($2.2M) and the Netherlands ($2M) constituted the largest propylene polymer rigid pipes suppliers to the UK, with a combined 54% share of total imports. Italy, China, Spain, Romania, Poland, Belgium, France, Austria and Indonesia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.
Romania, with a CAGR of +60.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
The average propylene polymer rigid pipes import price stood at $6,462 per ton in 2024, with a decrease of -2% against the previous year. In general, import price indicated mild growth from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, propylene polymer rigid pipes import price increased by +65.4% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 when the average import price increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure at $6,595 per ton in 2023, and then shrank modestly in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($13,682 per ton), while the price for Ireland ($3,521 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Czech Republic (+26.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Rigid Tubes, Pipes and Hoses of Polymers of Propylene
In 2024, overseas shipments of rigid tubes, pipes and hoses of polymers of propylene were finally on the rise to reach 1.6K tons for the first time since 2021, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, exports continue to indicate a slight increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 80% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 3.2K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, propylene polymer rigid pipes exports expanded notably to $20M in 2024. In general, exports enjoyed a temperate expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 96% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $34M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
Exports By Country
Germany (274 tons), Ireland (262 tons) and the United States (173 tons) were the main destinations of propylene polymer rigid pipes exports from the UK, together comprising 45% of total exports. Spain, France, Italy, Norway, Turkey, China and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +19.4%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Norway ($3.8M), Germany ($2.6M) and the United States ($2.2M) constituted the largest markets for propylene polymer rigid pipes exported from the UK worldwide, with a combined 43% share of total exports.
Among the main countries of destination, Norway, with a CAGR of +23.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the average propylene polymer rigid pipes export price amounted to $12,639 per ton, picking up by 3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the average export price increased by 19%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($57,089 per ton), while the average price for exports to Spain ($5,051 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Turkey (+10.0%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.