Pre-insulated pipes are widely used for district heating and hot water supply. These pipes primarily help maintain the temperature of the fluid present in them.
Pre-insulated pipe consists of three parts: carrier pipe, located inside, is typically made of steel, stainless steel, copper, or plastic; insulating layer of polyurethane foam, located over carrier pipe, is specially provided due to its high insulation qualities compared to mass and volume; and protective jacket of plastic or steel on the outside
Pre-insulated pipes are replacing traditionally insulated pipes in nearly all applications, as they provide enhanced insulation, efficiency, and physical performance
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Key Drivers of Pre-insulated Pipes Market
Rise in adoption of pre-insulated pipes and increase in awareness about energy-efficient products have boosted the pre-insulated pipes market across the globe
Implementation of stringent government regulations and initiatives in Europe, such as EPBD and NZEB, in order to reduce the carbon footprint and construct energy-efficient buildings is driving the pre-insulated pipes market. This is also leading to a surge in investments in replacement of existing less efficient district heating systems in the region.
Key advantages of pre-insulated pipes include excellent thermal efficiency, lower maintenance, reduced on-site labor, and improved safety. These pipes are better protected against leakages and offer superior quality insulation, which minimizes energy loss.
Pre-insulated pipes are more energy-efficient than traditionally insulated pipes and prevent heat losses by 40% over traditionally insulated pipes. This directly results in cost savings. This factor has fueled the adoption of pre-insulated pipes in various end-use industries in order to prevent heat loss and conserve energy.
Below Ground Segment to Dominate Market
Based on installation, the global pre-insulated pipes market can be classified into below ground and above ground. The below ground segment accounted for significant share of the market in 2018, as below ground installation reduces the required number of fittings, joints, and welding.
Below ground insulation is primarily used for media such as steam and hot oil. It consists of polyurethane with an inner layer of mineral wool. Mineral wool brings down the temperature to the permissible application temperature for polyurethane foam. The carrier pipe is supported by special spacers made of stainless steel.
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District Heating & Cooling Segment to Dominate Market
Pre-insulated pipe systems are used in chemical, pharmaceutical, petrochemical, and food industries for the transport of drinking water, wastewater, cooling water, hot water, steam, hydrocarbon, chemicals, oil, etc.
Pre-insulated pipes for heating supply networks can be used in different types of buildings such as hotel complexes, industrial facilities, single family houses, and multi-family living buildings
Pre-insulated pipes are ideal solutions to supply heat from the local boiler room directly into the building or an easy way to connect the pre-insulated pipe to the manifold of the underfloor heating system
Thus, large number of installations of district cooling and heating is expected to drive the the pre-insulated pipes market
High Cost to Hamper Market
High cost of insulation can act as a restraint to the market. Availability of substitutes such as electric trace heating is also anticipated to hamper the market.
Labor and installation costs of below ground installation systems are high, since these require digging, both during installation and maintenance
Thus, the factors given above are likely to hamper the global pre-insulated pipes market
Europe Expected to Hold Prominent Share of Global Pre-insulated Pipes Market
Based on region, the global pre-insulated pipes market can be segregated into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America
In terms of volume and value, Europe dominated the global market in 2018. The region is expected to maintain its dominance of the global market during the forecast period, due to the rise in demand for energy-efficient solutions and increase in number of initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the region.
District heating is used in commercial, industrial, and residential applications for space heating and domestic hot water supply. Increase in replacement of old district heating systems is expected to drive the market in Europe during the forecast period.
Various countries in Asia Pacific, such as India and China, are investing in public and private sector to boost the oil & gas industry. Thus, Asia Pacific has emerged as a rapidly expanding region of the global pre-insulated pipes market.
Key Players Operating in Market
The pre-insulated pipes market is highly fragmented, with the presence of many small scale and large scale manufacturers. In 2017, GF Piping Systems, a division of GF, acquired a stake of 49% of Urecon Ltd., Coteau-du-Lac, a specialist of pre-insulated piping systems for freeze protection and chilled water. This move is anticipated to allow GF Piping Systems to expand its footprint in North America and accelerate the introduction of its pre-insulated piping system package for cooling and air-conditioning.
