Cement Pipe Market

The global market for cement pipes is projected to see steady growth over the period from 2022 to 2030, with consumption and production expected to increase. Key findings include China leading in both consumption and production, followed by the United States and India. Import and export data reveal key players in the market, with China and the United States being major importers, and China and Malaysia being key exporters. The average prices for cement pipe imports and exports have seen growth trends, with notable fluctuations in certain years.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for pipes and other articles of cement worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to accelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 126M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $177B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Pipes and Other Articles of Cement

In 2022, the amount of pipes and other articles of cement consumed worldwide dropped slightly to 111M tons, shrinking by -3.3% compared with 2021. Over the period under review, consumption, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the consumption volume increased by 8.4%. Global consumption peaked at 125M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global cement pipe market value fell modestly to $129.6B in 2022, shrinking by -3.6% 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 +2.3% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. Over the period under review, the global market reached the maximum level at $145.9B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (29M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cement pipe consumption, accounting for 26% of total volume. Moreover, cement pipe consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (13M tons), twofold. India (11M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 9.8% share.

In China, cement pipe consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+5.3% per year) and India (+2.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($57.5B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the United States ($17.4B). It was followed by India.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China amounted to +3.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.9% per year) and India (+4.0% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of cement pipe per capita consumption was registered in the Netherlands (118 kg per person), followed by Italy (50 kg per person), the United States (40 kg per person) and South Korea (32 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of cement pipe was estimated at 14 kg per person.

In the Netherlands, cement pipe per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +7.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Italy (+1.1% per year) and the United States (+4.6% per year).

Production

World Production of Pipes and Other Articles of Cement

In 2022, the amount of pipes and other articles of cement produced worldwide declined slightly to 110M tons, which is down by -3.7% on the year before. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 8.1%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak volume at 125M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cement pipe production contracted slightly to $131.8B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output 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 throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 20%. Global production peaked at $152.6B in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of cement pipe production was China (30M tons), accounting for 27% of total volume. Moreover, cement pipe production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (11M tons), threefold. India (11M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

In China, cement pipe production expanded at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+4.5% per year) and India (+2.6% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Pipes and Other Articles of Cement

In 2022, global imports of pipes and other articles of cement stood at 8.3M tons, remaining constant against the year before. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 27% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cement pipe imports dropped to $6B in 2022. Overall, imports continue to indicate a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 37% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $6.1B, and then declined in the following year.

Imports By Country

The United States (2.1M tons) and the Netherlands (1.7M tons) were the largest importers of pipes and other articles of cement in 2022, resulting at approx. 25% and 21% of total imports, respectively. It was distantly followed by Singapore (923K tons), mixing up an 11% share of total imports. France (331K tons), Germany (231K tons), Austria (184K tons), Canada (184K tons), Indonesia (161K tons), Hong Kong SAR (160K tons), Switzerland (160K tons), Belgium (159K tons), the UK (144K tons) and Australia (135K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the key importing countries, was attained by Indonesia (with a CAGR of +42.4%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($2.7B) constitutes the largest market for imported pipes and other articles of cement worldwide, comprising 46% of global imports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Canada ($321M), with a 5.4% share of global imports. It was followed by Australia, with a 4.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in the United States totaled +12.2%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Canada (+14.2% per year) and Australia (+6.0% per year).

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average cement pipe import price amounted to $717 per ton, reducing by -2.8% against the previous year. Overall, import price indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +4.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, cement pipe import price increased by +5.2% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 16% against the previous year. As a result, import price attained the peak level of $763 per ton. From 2019 to 2022, the average import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Australia ($1,875 per ton), while the Netherlands ($102 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+10.0%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Pipes and Other Articles of Cement

In 2022, the amount of pipes and other articles of cement exported worldwide reduced to 6.9M tons, waning by -5.1% on 2021. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 16% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 7.3M tons, and then dropped in the following year.

In value terms, cement pipe exports reduced modestly to $7.3B in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, enjoyed a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $7.5B, and then dropped slightly in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2022, Malaysia (1,113K tons), China (1,078K tons) and Germany (719K tons) was the key exporter of pipes and other articles of cement in the world, comprising 42% of total export. Spain (468K tons) ranks next in terms of the total exports with a 6.7% share, followed by Belarus (6.3%) and India (6.3%). Poland (255K tons), Italy (241K tons), Vietnam (237K tons), Mexico (197K tons), Belgium (153K tons), the Czech Republic (116K tons) and Turkey (115K tons) held a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +21.4%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($2.9B) remains the largest cement pipe supplier worldwide, comprising 40% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Spain ($834M), with an 11% share of global exports. It was followed by Vietnam, with a 6.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in China amounted to +17.8%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+13.3% per year) and Vietnam (+23.3% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average cement pipe export price stood at $1,046 per ton in 2022, growing by 2% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a strong expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 when the average export price increased by 29%. The global export price peaked in 2022 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 China ($2,692 per ton), while Belarus ($185 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Turkey (+14.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform