Thanks to the large-scale construction and development activity in the recent past, the pipes and pipe fittings industry is a rapidly growing industry. Pipes are essential for connectivity, be it for water supply inlets to provide for clean and waste water distribution systems, agricultural watering system, liquid discharge installations, water sprinkling and dropping systems, sanitation and sewerage disposal etc.
Together with pipes, pipe fittings are equally important because no pipes can be installed without the use of fittings. Pipe fittings are essential to connect pipes together. There are various types of pipe fittings like adapters, couplings, elbows, tees, flanges, valves, reducers, sleeves etc. which are used to connect pipes, tubes, flared, pneumatic and other fittings for various configurations.
Pipe and pipe fittings are manufactured from a wide variety of materials including stainless steel, brass, copper, carbon steel, cast iron, bronze etc. With the change in time and and advancement and improvement in technology, high performance polymers, rubber and plastics are also being increasingly used with the conventional materials.
Factors affecting the pipe fitting industry:Pipe fitting manufacturing and material specifications are application-dependent. User consultation with the suppliers of pipe fittings is typical for optimization of component selection. There are certain safety and environment related issues facing the pipe fitting industry. This is an important factor influencing buyers to select or buy only quality products and the best fittings for specific applications. Pipe fittings manufacturers are responding by devoting more time and resources to product development and service. There is also a recent trend to give more importance in the design process of these highly demanded fittings. The growth area for pipe fittings manufacturers is in manufacturing high-tech and developed products, rather than making commodity-type products.
Pipe fittings of all types, materials and sizes are critical in construction, building, chemical, energy, and other industrial applications. According to a recent estimate, the pipe fitting industry witnessed a growth of close to 8-10% globally in the last few years. The global export market of the metal pipe fittings comprises US, Western Europe, Australia, and Japan. India is one of the major exporting nations. The pipe fitting industry is expected to experience considerable change and varying growth rates in coming years.