Policy & Funding
The IIJA water window has closed
Supplemental SRF funding ended on 30 Sept, and contractors are pushing Congress to reauthorise at IIJA levels. Without that, federal water funding could fall by about 60% in FY27.
Source: 12 Oct →Lead line money keeps landing
Rhode Island won $38.8M of DWSRF funding for lead service line replacement, 35% above its normal allotment, and Providence Water secured $26.2M for about 2,000 more replacements.
Source: 8 Oct →Supply, Resin & Demand
Westlake’s Longview PE plant stays open
A Texas judge refused to shut the ethylene pipeline feeding the plant, which protects 400+ jobs. An appeal is still possible.
Source: 23 Oct →Data centres are a new pipe market
Data-centre piping is forecast to grow from $1.6B to $4.5B by 2035. Thermoplastics are the fastest-growing material at a 19% CAGR, and North America accounts for 42% of spend.
Source: 22 Oct →Recycled HDPE ticks up
Natural PCR rose to 40.25¢/lb (from 36.50¢), and colour PCR to 11.13¢/lb.
Source: 14 Oct →Leadership & Deals
A quiet week for announced moves
Consolidation is still 2026’s big story: Infra Pipes (Fortress) bought Atkore’s HDPE pipe and conduit business in April, adding five US plants.
Source →One to watch
Advanced Drainage Systems reports Q2 FY27 results on 5 Nov. It's a useful read on plastic pipe demand, given ADS is targeting more than $4B in revenue by FY30.
Source →Talent Insight
Plant leadership is getting harder to hire
- US manufacturing openings hit 522K in August (from 416K a year earlier), and quits rose to 197K.
- Average hourly pay is $36.92, up 3.4%. Automation operators, quality engineers and maintenance techs are the hardest roles to fill.
- For 2027 plans: Plant Managers and VPs of Manufacturing who can keep teams stable while bringing in automation are scarce. Expect longer searches and stronger counter-offers.
joe.macklam@qpexec.com