The Canadian Commercial Research Agency (CCRA) publishes an Apparent Canadian Market – Volume Detail, which details the import and export volumes of jacketed pipe insulation from the United States and other countries. This table also includes imports of Manson jacketed pipe insulation from the United States. It is not possible to estimate the total size of the Canadian market, as that could reveal confidential sales data. However, the table below provides an indication of the market size, including imports of jacketed pipe insulation from the United States, Canada, and Europe.
CCRA’s analysis of production and capacity utilization performance of United States exporters of jacketed pipe insulation
The United States’ jacketed pipe insulation exporters face a number of challenges in the Canadian market. Canada is the United States’ largest export market, but its production capacity remains high, making it expensive to ship long distances. United States producers face a difficult choice: cut their prices or expand their exports to Canada, or do both. But in either case, CCRA’s analysis of production and capacity utilization performance of United States exporters of jacketed pipe insulation finds that the United States exporters face a significant competitive disadvantage in Canada.
The majority of sales from United States exporters of jacketed pipe insulators is made in the domestic market. This is the case despite the fact that exports to Canada accounted for 7% of total sales during POR. However, sales within the United States increased by 8% from 2000 to 2001 and 3% from 2001 to 2002. However, exports to Canada fell by 7% in 2002, a result of the slowdown in Canadian demand.
Despite the slowdown in the global economy, demand for jacketed pipe insulation is expected to remain high over the forecast period. This growth will be fueled by the rising consumer awareness regarding energy conservation and growing spending power. However, the global market for pipe insulation materials is expected to be challenged by the effects of the pandemic, a severe downfall in investment in the oil and gas sector, and the sudden drop in the price of crude oil, which decreased fiscal resources for many oil-producing nations.
Despite the high price of Canadian jacketed pipe insulation, United States exporters are unable to compete at undumped prices in the Canadian market. In addition, the United States producers’ inventory levels are high, making it more expensive to compete in the global market. If an Order is not issued, they are likely to reduce their selling prices in the Canadian market to recover lost market share.
Increasing demand for preformed fibreglass pipe insulation is a key factor for the industry’s continued growth. A new method of manufacturing the jacketed pipe insulation is a factory-applied jacketing process. This method simplifies material control, reducing the number of parts. Cacao silicate is used to create the preformed pipe insulation with a metal jacketing. While this method is generally preferred for pipes within an air plenum, it has a limited application for this type of insulation.
Importers’ response to ERQs
The Tribunal’s Order prohibiting importation of certain types of fibreglass pipe insulation from Canada has been in place since January 2003. The Canadian market remains the three exporters’ largest export market. As a result, Canadian distributors are facing very competitive pricing from Manson and other countries. The Tribunal is considering whether to issue a ruling requiring these importers to reduce their selling prices below the dumped levels.
The exporters of jacketed pipe insulation from the United States appear to have undercut the Canadian market, with their inventories higher than in 1997. As the export market for these goods in Canada is the largest, exporters there are likely to reduce their selling prices in order to maintain their capacity utilization. This is likely to increase the cost of making and selling these products in Canada. Until such a time, the Canadian market will remain the most profitable for US exporters.
In the United States, producers of jacketed pipe insulation are not able to compete at undumped prices in Canada. Moreover, due to their high inventory levels and limited production capacity, they are more likely to reduce their selling prices to dumped levels if the Order is not issued. Canada will likely encourage the exporters to lower their selling prices even more. The lack of an Order will only provide Canadian producers with a unique opportunity to increase their market share.
The R-Value of Fiberglass Pipe Insulation varies based on the pipe size. The smaller pipe is more insulated than the larger one, and the equivalent thickness is higher than the actual pipe insulation thickness. In most cases, pipe insulation with a higher R-Value will be more energy-efficient than a smaller one. It is also important to note that the R-Value of pipe insulation varies with the temperature of the pipes.
Influence of R-Values on R-Values for different pipe sizes
When choosing insulation, it’s important to understand the difference between pipe insulation and flat insulation. R-Value is the measure of a material’s resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the better. The higher the R-value, the more efficient insulation will be. And while both materials should have the same amount of insulation, pipe insulation is different.
To determine the R-value of a pipe insulation, know its true thickness, inner diameter, and outer diameter. Then, divide that value by the corresponding room temperature. Once you know the exact temperature of the pipe, you can calculate the R-Value of the piping material. This can be a simple calculation using the actual temperature of the pipe and the outside temperature.
The calculation for the R-Value of a pipe insulation is relatively easy. Usually, R-Value is proportional to its surface area. The greater the area, the higher the R-Value. However, a thicker pipe can have an R-Value of five or more. This difference between pipe insulation thickness and R-Value will influence your decision.
Cost of fibreglass pipe insulation
When you install fibreglass pipe insulation, you will need to pay close attention to its costs. This is because fibreglass insulation comes in different shapes, sizes, and widths. Prices for most of these products will be in the low single-digit range. For the best prices, shop around. There are many places to purchase fibreglass insulation online. Below are some of these resources. Read on to learn about the benefits of fibreglass pipe insulation.
The cost of plumbing insulation can vary, but the national average is $600 per hundred feet. Installation can be a do-it-yourself project, or it can be a large-scale project requiring an expert. You might also want to consider hiring a handyman to perform the job. Regardless, ensuring the pipes do not freeze is worth the cost. It will save you a lot of money and keep you from having to face frozen pipes down the road.
Fiberglass pipe insulation works well for both hot and cold water pipes. It works to preserve temperature better than any other material. It costs between $2.50 and $3 per linear foot, and is available in three to six-foot tubular pieces. Another affordable pipe insulation material is rubber. This versatile material can be used on copper, PVC, iron, and rubber pipes. However, it is not the best choice for tight quarters.
Fiberglass pipe insulation is made from high-density resin-bonded glass fibers and is designed for pipe thermal insulation. This product is rated to operate at temperatures between -20degF and 1000degF. It can be used for both hot and cold water piping, hot and cold condensate, and dual temperature applications. In addition, fiberglass pipe insulation comes with a self-sealing lap for easy installation.