European production up slightly in 2007 at 3.3m t / Germany is largest producer / PVC is clear leader but with slower growth than other materials / Subdued expectations / AMI guide

摘要

The pipe industry is one of the major plastic users in Europe with an annual volume in 2007 of 3.3m t, representing some 8% of total European consumption of polymeric materials. After a prolonged recession in the German construction industry and poor demand in many other countries, growth in the past few years has-recovered slightly on the whole, reports market research company Applied Market Information (AMI, Bristol / UK; www.amiplastics.com) in its fourth edition of "AMI'S guide to the thermoplastics pipe extrusion industry in Europe." The number of plastic pipe extrusion companies has risen very slightly - AMI has identified 559 companies active in this segment, compared with 545 companies listed in the third edition, published in 2005.