The global demand for plastic pipes has been forecasted to increase over 5% per year through 2003 to 4.6 billion metres. This increase would lead to an increase in the demand for plastic resins, creating a market for 13.8 million tons. The pace of construction activity in Europe and Asia/Pacific region in the areas of conduit, drainage and sewers and natural gas distribution would further generate technological advances in this field. In 1998, 30% of the global market for pipes was consumed by the U.S. North America is the largest regional market for plastic pipes followed by Asia/Pacific and Western Europe. These three regions account for over four-fifth of the world's total market togther. China's achievement of double-digit annual growth through 2003, would make it the biggest consumer of pipes in the world. Replacement of cast iron pipes in residential building drainage, and extension of municipal water systems in both rural and urban areas, would fuel the already existing demand for PVC pipes in the country. PVC is the chief plastic resin used for manufacturing plastic pipes, accounting for 8 million tons in 1998. However, through 2003, the prime plastic resin to be used for manufacturing plastic pipes would be HDPE, which will advance 7% per year to 2.4 million tons. The new millenium has opened up several new applications for plastic pipes in Asia. The growing emphasis on infrastructure development and the infotech boom has created an immediate requirement of over 4,00,000 kms of optic fibre piping network in India.