Sewer, drainage, cable conduit. PVC-U dominant; structured-wall PP and PE for larger diameters.
Most modern sewer and gravity drainage pipes are PVC-U (unplasticised PVC), which dominates diameters up to 400 mm under EN 1401. For larger diameters and culvert applications, structured-wall PP and HDPE pipes (under EN 13476) are increasingly used because they combine the required ring stiffness with lighter weight and longer pipe lengths.
Plastic pipes are lighter, faster to install, and resist Hâ‚‚S corrosion better than concrete in sewer applications. Concrete still wins on very large diameters (>1200 mm) and where structural load capacity matters more than chemical resistance. For most municipal drainage and stormwater applications under 1000 mm, plastic has become the European default.
Corrugated cable conduit and ducting is typically made from polypropylene (PP) or HDPE. The corrugated profile gives crush resistance per EN 61386 while keeping the conduit flexible for trenching. Halogen-free variants are mandated for tunnels and underground railways. The recent FTTH broadband roll-out has driven demand for HDPE microducts (small-bore conduit for blown-fibre installation).
Yes — PVC, PP and PE pipes are all mechanically recyclable, and the European pipe industry runs an active take-back scheme (VinylPlus and similar). Recycled pipe content is most common in non-pressure applications (drainage, conduit). Pressure pipes for potable water typically use virgin material because traceability and regulatory approval are harder to maintain with recycled feedstock.