2010-07-21 [Source: Market Publishers]

Australia is among well-developed countries (such as Western Europe and North America, as well as Japan), which have the highest levels of pipe use intensity. However, Australian pipe market is also comparatively mature market, where growth in construction activity tends to be well below the global average, inhibiting growth rates for pipe.

In Australia the first four months of the 2009 financial year saw very strong market demand for steel pipes and tubes driven by solid construction and manufacturing activity, building of market channel inventories and tight international supply.

Australia internal demand for steel pipes in 2009 was $1,511.8 million. Domestic production of steel pipes, including welded, seamless and stainless steel pipes and fittings, achieved $407.8 million. The gross product doesn't cover country's demand. 80% of steel pipes are imported. It is worth mentioning that welded pipes and tubes of small and large diameter dominate on Australian market.

Australia total consumption of plastic pipes, tubes and plastic fittings in 2009 was $469.5 million. Imported plastic tubes accounted for 50% on Australian market. Australia exports 30% of plastic tubes produced in the country – the biggest consumer is New Zealand.

As a result Australia is a country with high demand for pipes. At the same time the country posses mature market pipes, and therefore annual demand growth will account for 2-3% in future.

Due to global financial crisis in the beginning of 2009 demand for pipes deteriorated. A number of projects were postponed, that ceased the consumption on the pipes and fittings market in Australia. But according to the forecast, the demand will recover in 2010. The most fast-growing segment is plastic one which follows international trends.

In Australia the requirements for the design and installation of pipelines are specified in a number of Australian Standards that relate to the pipe type and material to be used. As important engineering projects, the structural performance and in-service life of pipelines are dependent on the achievement of the specified design and installation requirements appropriate to the selected pipe material and the available site conditions.

The requirements for each pipe alternative need to be assessed properly by the specifier, manufacturer and the installer as the diversity influences the immediate installed cost of the pipeline and any comparative analysis of the life cycle cost of the resulting asset.