From Downturn to Stabilization: a Visible Transition

According to the study published by Interconnection Consulting, the European sanitary pipes and fittings market has gone through an exceptionally demanding phase between 2023 and 2025. While the prolonged slowdown of the construction sector remains a central driver, market developments cannot be attributed to construction activity alone. Across Europe, country-specific geopolitical tensions, macroeconomic uncertainty and divergent policy frameworks have further weighed on investment decisions and market confidence. In addition, government-supported renovation schemes and the postponement of construction projects have disrupted the traditionally stable relationship between building activity and demand for sanitary pipes and fittings, resulting in a markedly less predictable market environment. In the Top 20 European countries, sales reached approximately 2.01 billion meters of sanitary pipes and 1.50 billion units of sanitary fittings in 2024. The overall market situation in 2025 remains challenging, although the pace of decline is expected to moderate compared to 2024. Current estimates point to a volume contraction of around -5.1% for sanitary pipes and -5.7% for sanitary fittings. Beyond the short-term pressure, however, the medium-term outlook shows signs of stabilization.  

Diverging Paths Across Europe´s Largest Markets 

The European sanitary pipes and fittings market is led by Germany followed by the UK, Poland, France, and Russia. While each of these countries is influenced by distinct internal factors that shape local demand and supply, they share a common role as trendsetters for the overall European market due to their significant market weight. Collectively, these five countries account for 61% of total market share, highlighting their outsized influence on market dynamics. Within this apparent commonality, however, substantial divergence exists: uneven infrastructure investments, fluctuating energy costs, and country-specific regulatory changes drive contrasting market developments. This divergence reinforces that a “one-size-fits-all” approach is no longer appropriate, and strategies must be carefully adapted to the specific dynamics, risk profiles, and growth potential of each market. 

Structural Differences: Nordics Markets vs. the Rest of Europe 

The Nordic countries display a markedly different performance compared to other European markets. In 2024, Scandinavia region experienced the sharpest declines among the Top 20 European countries, with Finland registering the most severe contraction, approximately -42.5% decline, making it the worst-performing market of the year. Norway, while facing a more limited decline, nonetheless recorded its highest drop in recent years. These negative outcomes are primarily driven by a significant slowdown in investments in the construction sector and in issuing permits, particularly residential construction, influenced by the post-pandemic normalization of building activity and national housing policies. At the same time, high interest rates also played a significant role. While the magnitude of the decline varies, the common factor underscores the sensitivity of sanitary pipes and fittings demand to structural shifts in construction activity and policy frameworks, highlighting the heterogeneous nature of market developments across Europe. 

Applications and Materials: From Standard Solutions to System Thinking 

The European sanitary pipes and fittings market in 2025 shows moderate fluctuations across its three main application segments. Hot and cold water installations maintain the leading position with a 39.7% market share, though closely contested by surface heating and cooling systems, which are gaining ground and are expected to occupy the first position in terms of quantity market share from 2026 onwards. Radiator connection pipes remain the smallest segment. In the Nordic countries, surface heating and cooling systems continue to dominate due to historical adoption patterns, energy efficiency priorities, and building practices. 

Material-wise, plastic remains the predominant choice for pipes across Europe, appreciated for its cost-effectiveness, light weight, ease of installation, and chemical resistance. For fittings, however, multilayer solutions take the lead, accounting for an estimated 32.5% market share in 2025 according to Interconnection data. These multilayer fittings combine the benefits of polymers flexibility, non-toxicity with those of metals, pressure and temperature resistance, dimensional stability, achieving optimal performance and enhanced durability, particularly in complex systems. Material selection is inherently linked to the type of application and is expected, according to industry experts, “to increasingly favor climate-friendly technologies in the coming years”. 

Outlook: A Gradual Rebalancing Rather then a Rapid Rebound 

The European sanitary pipes and fittings market is expected to stabilize in the coming years, with 2025 likely marking the end of the three-year negative trend observed across most countries. Looking ahead, the future looks bright and the market is expected to recover gradually. Interconnection projects a CAGR of 5% for sanitary pipes and fittings from 2025 through 2028, reflecting a steady rebound in demand across Europe. From 2027 onwards, a period of stronger short-term recovery is anticipated, driven by renewed investments in infrastructure and sustained expansion in both the construction and industrial sectors. Overall, the outlook points to a favorable market environment, characterized by stable and growing demand, an increasing preference for high-performance and sustainable materials, and continued adoption of system-oriented solutions.