Plastics pipes and fittings market in the United States

Earlier Report Observations

The US plastics pipes and fittings market contracted in volume over 2019 and 2020, with market size falling from 1 732 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 435 thousand tons in 2020. In value terms, the market decreased from 12 370 million dollars to 11 394 million dollars over the same period. A strong recovery then took hold, reversing the earlier decline.

Market growth from 2021 was supported by industry moves toward sustainable products and increased demand from key sectors. In 2021, Westlake Chemical Corporation's acquisition of Dimex expanded production capacity for recycled PVC pipes, while its subsidiary North American Pipe Corporation launched a new low-carbon-footprint PVC-O pipe. The following year, continued demand from construction, oil & gas, and chemical industries, alongside government financial assistance for drip and sprinkler irrigation systems, drove the market size to 1 910 thousand tons and 18 556 million dollars in value by 2022.

Production plastics pipes and fittings in the United States

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

The United States saw its production volume of plastics pipes and fittings decline for the second year in a row. In 2020, production reached 1 339 K t, marking a significant 10.7% drop compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 7.1%, which translates to an annualized decline rate of 2.4%. The peak production was recorded in 2018 at 1 631 K t, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 13.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Production of plastics pipes and fittings in the United States fell for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 11 322 M $ US, reflecting a 3.1% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, production actually increased by 4.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 12 331 M $ US. That year also saw the largest increase of 14.3%, while the biggest decline occurred in 2019 with a 5.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of production in the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports plastics pipes and fittings from the United States

Exports in kind, K t

The United States experienced a second straight year of decline in its export volume of plastics pipes and fittings. In 2020, exports totaled 170.2 K t, showing a substantial 17.7% reduction compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 11.4%, with a compound annual decline rate of 4.0%. The peak export volume was in 2018 at 232.0 K t, which also recorded the largest increase of 20.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Canada, Mexico, and Saudi Arabia were the primary markets for U.S. plastics pipes and fittings exports in volume terms. Canada accounted for 45.0% of exports, Mexico for 26.4%, and Saudi Arabia for 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented 74.7% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Foreign supplies of plastics pipes and fittings from the United States declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the U.S. exported 1 439 M $ US worth of these products, indicating a 10.8% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 1 754 M $ US, with that year also seeing the largest increase of 22.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico, Canada, and China were the main destinations for U.S. plastics pipes and fittings exports in value terms. Mexico led with 30.4% of exports, followed by Canada at 27.5%, and China at 4.1%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 62.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from the United States in value, 2017-2020

Imports plastics pipes and fittings to the United States

Imports in kind, K t

Imported volumes of plastics pipes and fittings into the United States fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were recorded at 266.1 K t, representing an 8.0% contraction compared to the previous year. The peak import volume was in 2018 at 333.3 K t. That year saw the largest increase of 23.0%, while the biggest decline occurred in 2019 with a 13.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, Canada, China, and Mexico were the key partners for U.S. imports of plastics pipes and fittings in volume terms. Canada accounted for 30.0% of imports, China for 27.2%, and Mexico for 21.1%. Together, these three countries made up 78.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

The United States saw its import value of plastics pipes and fittings decline for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1 511 M $ US, showing a moderate 6.0% loss compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 8.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 1 792 M $ US. That year also saw the largest increase of 28.9%, while the biggest decline occurred in 2019 with a 10.3% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, China, Canada, and Mexico consistently remained the main sources for U.S. imports of plastics pipes and fittings in value terms. China accounted for 26.4% of imports, Canada for 20.9%, and Mexico for 13.1%. Together, these three countries represented 60.3% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to the United States in value, 2017-2020