Rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE market in Norway

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2021, the production volume of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in Norway fluctuated, starting at 39 977 t in 2018, dipping to 34 144 t in 2019, then recovering to 46 421 t in 2020 before settling at 43 489 t in 2021. The market value, however, rose steadily from $101.8 million in 2018 to $139.9 million in 2021, indicating a shift toward higher-value products. Early regulatory factors included the introduction of detailed specification requirements for PP and PVC-U pipes and fittings, with standards such as NS-EN for PVC-U pipes allowing the use of SN 4 ring stiffness class, which influenced material choices. The launch of the PLASTICENE project in 2021 aimed at developing sustainable plastic use through increased resource efficiency and circularity, supported by collaboration between industry and research institutions like SINTEF and Norner.

From 2022 onward, circular economy initiatives gained momentum. In 2022, aquaculture company Arges began using recycled feed hoses as input for new plastic pipes, supported by the Trade Environment Fund, while pilot projects demonstrated the feasibility of recycling plastic pipes in construction. In 2023, persistent leaks in water supply networks, attributed to old and cracked pipes, drove demand for flexible and strong PE pipes. The SPARE project in 2024, led by ScaleAQ, increased the share of recycled plastic in PE pipes, and new environmental product declarations (EPDs) for Norwegian-made PVC pipes provided better sustainability data. By 2025, Norway opened its first national fine-sorting plant for plastic packaging, the EU's Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) came into force, and companies like Pipelife Norge launched fossil-free pipes, all reinforcing the trend toward recycled content and stricter material requirements. These developments contributed to a rise in production volume to 53 297 t in 2024.

Production rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in Norway

In value, 2018-2021, M $ US

Norway's production of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses made from polyethylene (PE) has grown for the second year in a row. In 2021, output reached 132.0 million US dollars, marking a 23.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production rose by 33.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 10.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 97.4 million US dollars, which saw a decline of 1.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

In kind, 2018-2021, t

In 2021, Norway produced 43 489 tonnes of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE, representing a 6.3% decrease compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 8.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest output was in 2019 at 34 144 tonnes, which experienced a significant drop of 14.6%. In contrast, 2020 saw the highest production at 46 421 tonnes, with a substantial increase of 36.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Norway in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE from Norway

Exports in kind, t

Norway exported 8 841 tonnes of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in 2021, a 14.2% decrease from 2020. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 6 495 tonnes, which fell by 25.4%. The highest was in 2020 at 10 308 tonnes, showing a sharp rise of 58.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom were the main markets for Norway's exports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 42.2% of exports, Bangladesh for 10.8%, and the United Kingdom for 9.9%, together making up 62.9% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values showed notable fluctuations during the period. The lowest point was in 2019 at 15 678 thousand US dollars, with a decline of 39.2%. The peak occurred in 2020 at 27 880 thousand US dollars, representing a 77.8% increase. In 2021, exports totaled 25 834 thousand US dollars, down 7.3% from the previous year, with a 1.8-fold difference between the trough and peak.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Sweden, Bangladesh, and the United Kingdom formed the primary markets for Norway's exports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in value terms. Sweden contributed 34.6% of export value, Bangladesh 11.9%, and the United Kingdom 11.1%, collectively accounting for 57.6% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Norway in value, 2018-2021

Imports rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE to Norway

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Norway's imports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE declined. In 2021, imports amounted to 8 352 tonnes, an 18.4% drop from the previous year. The highest import volume was in 2020 at 10 242 tonnes, which saw an increase of 16.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Sweden, Denmark, and Poland were the main sources for Norway's imports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in volume terms. Sweden accounted for 39.4% of imports, Denmark for 20.8%, and Poland for 13.7%, together representing 73.9% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of increase, Norway's imports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in value terms decreased. In 2021, import value stood at 33 739 thousand US dollars, down 8.6% year-on-year. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports rose by 16%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2020 at 36 918 thousand US dollars, which increased by 25.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

During 2018-2021, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany were the largest contributors to Norway's imports of rigid plastic tubes, pipes and hoses of PE in value terms. Sweden made up 27.8% of import value, Denmark 26.5%, and Germany 12.1%, jointly accounting for 66.4% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Norway in value, 2018-2021