Plastics are on track to outperform competitive materials in the U.S. market for large-diameter pipe. The market overall, which includes concrete, ductile iron, steel, and clay, is projected to grow at a modest annual rate of 2.4% over the next three years. The annual growth rate for plastics pipe, however, will be almost double that, 4.7%, because of the benefits it provides in performance, environmental quality, handling, and installation economy.