Traditionally, metallic (steel, galvanised iron, cast-iron and electric resistance welded) pipes, plastic pipes, and cement (concrete cement and asbestos cement) pipes have been used in India.

“Today, for water supply systems, allied composites such as polybutylene, polypropylene random copolymer plastic (PPR pipes), chlorination poly vinyl chloride (CPVC), cross-linked polyethene (PEX, XPE or XLPE) and composites such as PE Al PE (polyethylene aluminium polypropylene) are in use,” observes Prakasan TP, CEO, MEP-IEPC Business, Sterling and Wilson. “PVC is an established material for drainage in external and concealed applications. PVC, HDPE, foam core and polyethylene are widely used for drainage.” 

For cold and hot water applications, multi-layered CPVC-aluminium-CPVC composite pipes have been introduced, which offer higher strength and good impact resistance, says BSA Narayan, Managing Director, Maple Engg-Design Services (India) and Director, Executive Board, World Plumbing Council.