U.K. Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation and New Installation Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Type (Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation and New Installation and Inspection), By Size (< 18 Inch Pipes Line, 18-36 Inch Pipes, and > 36 Inch Pipes), By Application (Water Main Pipes, Wastewater Pipes, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2026-2034

The U.K. trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation market size was valued at USD 565.79 million in 2025. The market is projected to grow from USD 625.70 million in 2026 to USD 1,069.32 million by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 6.93% during the forecast period.

A mix of economic, regulatory, and infrastructure issues is driving the rapid growth of the U.K.'s trenchless pipe rehabilitation industry. As a large portion of the nation's underground water and sewage infrastructure is aging and becoming more susceptible to leaks, corrosion, and failure, there is a high demand for contemporary repair methods that prolong the lifespan of assets without the disturbance caused by open-cut excavation. Trenchless technologies, such as cured-in-place pipe CIPP lining, pipe bursting, and slip-lining, enable municipalities and utilities to upgrade vital pipelines with less surface disruption, reduced traffic impact, and lower restoration costs, which is particularly beneficial in crowded metropolitan environments. The potable water segment is increasingly adopting trenchless pipe rehabilitation solutions to upgrade aging distribution networks, thereby minimizing service disruptions. The growth of cost-effective trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation is driven by the rising need to upgrade aging pipelines while avoiding high excavation and restoration costs. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation technologies are applied across a wide range of pipe diameters, materials, and end-use applications.

In October 2025, PrimeLine Products, Inc. (PrimeLine), a well-known national supplier of trenchless technologies, equipment, and materials to the plumbing and utility contractor sector, was acquired by The Vortex Companies (Vortex), a worldwide pioneer in trenchless pipeline rehabilitation solutions. This acquisition is a great match for the MaxLiner division and advances our long-term plan for the small-diameter segment of the trenchless rehabilitation market.

U.K TRENCHLESS PIPE REHABILITATION AND NEW INSTALLATION MARKET TRENDS

Aging Infrastructure, Environmental Compliance, and Storm Overflow Challenges to Fuel Market Expansion

Another major driver for the U.K. trenchless market is the growing need to rehabilitate aging pipeline infrastructure and address rising environmental pressures, particularly around storm overflows, pollution incidents, and network deterioration. Much of the U.K.’s water and wastewater network was constructed several decades ago, with many pipelines now operating beyond their intended design life. Aging assets are becoming increasingly susceptible to corrosion, infiltration, structural cracks, blockages, and collapse, leading to more frequent service failures and environmental breaches. High-profile sewage discharge incidents and overflow spills have brought national attention to the vulnerability of the wastewater network, prompting calls for systematic rehabilitation and expansion of sewer capacity. These challenges have forced utilities to accelerate planned upgrades, reinforce critical sections of the network, and invest in new pipelines to divert excess flow and prevent pollution.

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MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Rising Regulatory Pressure and Expanding Utility Investment to Lead Market Growth

A major growth driver for the U.K. trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation market is the significant regulatory pressure placed on water utilities to modernize aging infrastructure, reduce leakage, and improve service reliability. The U.K.’s regulated water sector operates under periodic Asset Management Plan (AMP) cycles, where Ofwat sets strict investment expectations and performance targets for each utility.

In recent cycles, the regulator has intensified its focus on areas such as leakage reduction, supply resilience, customer service, and environmental compliance, which directly depend on the condition and performance of underground pipeline networks. As a result, utilities have been compelled to increase spending on mains replacement, sewer rehabilitation, and network upgrade programs. The overall water-sector capital expenditure has steadily risen to multi-billion-pound levels annually, with utilities committing substantial budgets to maintain or replace buried infrastructure.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

High Upfront Cost and Technical Complexity to Limit Market Growth

One of the major restraints for the U.K. trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation market growth is the high upfront cost and technical complexity associated with advanced trenchless technologies, which often limit adoption, particularly among smaller utilities, local authorities, and contractors. While trenchless methods offer long-term savings through reduced surface disruption and faster project timelines, the initial capital investment for specialized equipment, such as micro tunneling rigs, HDD systems, robotic cutters, and CCTV inspection units, is significantly higher than that for traditional open-cut methods. This creates a barrier for smaller organizations that lack the financial flexibility to acquire or maintain such equipment, leading them to rely on established contractors, which can increase the time and cost of project tendering.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Rising Investment in Infrastructure Programs to Amplify Market Growth

A major growth opportunity for the U.K. trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation market lies in the rapid expansion of long-term infrastructure investment under the upcoming AMP8 cycle (2025–2030), which is expected to be the largest water sector investment program ever proposed in the country. Water companies have announced plans to significantly increase capital spending to address leakage, treatment capacity, storm overflow reductions, and network renewal—areas that directly require extensive pipeline maintenance and repair work. With utilities proposing multi-billion-pound upgrades, including thousands of kilometers of mains and sewer improvements, the demand for trenchless solutions is expected to increase sharply, as they minimize public disruption, shorten project timelines, and reduce the carbon footprint compared to open-cut excavation. Growing commitments to cut storm overflow spills, meet climate-resilience targets, and modernize sewer networks also create opportunities for large-diameter microtunneling and HDD installations. As utilities scale up their renewal programs, trenchless technologies are poised to capture a significantly larger share of upcoming pipeline investments across both water and wastewater systems.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Limited Availability of Skilled Labor and Trained Operators to Limit Market Growth

The lack of trained operators and competent labor capable of managing cutting-edge trenchless technologies is a major obstacle to the trenchless pipe rehabilitation business. Specialized technical knowledge, precise handling, and unwavering adherence to safety and quality guidelines are essential for methods such as high-pressure jetting, robotic cutting, pipe bursting, and cured-in-place pipe lining. Nevertheless, many areas' workforces are aging, and the number of newly trained individuals entering the workforce is still insufficient to meet the growing demand for infrastructure rehabilitation initiatives. The skills gap is exacerbated by inadequate training courses and the lengthy and expensive process of obtaining operator licenses.

Segmentation Analysis

By Type

Rising Regulatory Focus on Reducing Leakage Boosted Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation Segment Growth

Based on the type, the market is segmented into trenchless pipe rehabilitation, new installation, and inspection. Trenchless pipe rehabilitation dominated the U.K. trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation market share with 64.20%, driven by the advanced age of the country’s water and wastewater infrastructure, and regulatory emphasis on reducing leakage, maintaining sewer integrity, and ensuring service reliability. Utilities prefer rehabilitation methods, such as CIPP lining, pipe bursting, slip lining, and robotic repairs, as they extend asset life at a lower cost and with significantly less surface disruption than full pipe replacement.

New installations and inspections account for a significant share of the market. This segment encompasses HDD and micro tunneling for new pipeline construction, network diversions, and capacity expansion, as well as CCTV inspection, robotic surveys, and condition assessment services. While installation projects are fewer in number than rehabilitation works, they are typically higher in value, especially for large-diameter pipelines and complex urban crossings. The new installation and inspection segment is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.36% during the forecast period.

By Size

<18 Inch Pipes Led Market as They are Ideally Suited for Cost-effective and Minimally Disruptive Trenchless Repair Methods

Based on size, the market is divided into <18 inch pipes, 18-36-inch pipes, and > 36 inch pipes.

<18 inch pipes represented the largest share of the trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation market in the U.K. with 57.66% in 2025. This dominance reflects the structure of the U.K.’s water and wastewater networks, which are heavily weighted toward small-diameter distribution mains, local sewers, and service connections. Growth in the smaller pipe segment is driven by the rising need to repair deteriorating service lines using trenchless pipe rehabilitation techniques.

> 36 inch pipes are projected to grow at a CAGR of 9.11% during the forecast period. This segment includes major wastewater interceptors, strategic water transmission lines, and stormwater tunnels. Projects typically involve complex trenchless techniques such as microtunnelling and large-diameter HDD, with high technical and capital requirements.

By Application

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Wastewater Pipes Dominated Market Due to Ageing Sewer Network

Based on the application, the market is segmented into water main pipes, wastewater pipes, and others.

Wastewater pipes accounted for the largest market share of 61.70% in 2025. Wastewater pipe trenchless rehabilitation is growing in the U.K. due to the ageing sewer network, much of which was installed decades ago and is now experiencing structural deterioration, blockages, infiltration, and leakage. Increasing urbanization and population density place additional stress on wastewater systems, while stricter environmental regulations require utilities to reduce pollution incidents and sewer overflows.

Water main pipes account for the second largest share of the U.K. trenchless market. This dominance is driven by persistent leakage challenges, ageing distribution networks, and regulatory pressure on utilities to improve supply reliability. The water main pipes market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 7.56% during the forecast period.

U.K Trenchless Pipe Rehabilitation and New Installation Market Country Outlook

By country, the market is categorized into the U.K.

U.K.

Due to the aging water and wastewater infrastructure, much of which was built 50 to 100 years ago and now needs immediate repair, the U.K. trenchless pipe rehabilitation and new installation market is expanding at a consistent rate. Utilities are increasingly favoring trenchless methods, such as CIPP and spray-in-place lining, since they extend asset life while reducing surface disturbance in heavily populated metropolitan areas. Additionally, the water authorities' strict regulatory pressure to minimize leakage, infiltration, and environmental contamination is driving adoption.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Vendors are pursuing acquisitions to enhance their technology and expand their market reach.

Vendors are adopting acquisition strategies to enhance technological capabilities, broaden geographic reach, and accelerate growth in the trenchless pipe rehabilitation market.

In May 2025, Adler & Allan, a leading environmental services firm backed by Goldman Sachs, acquired Glanville Environmental, a specialist in drainage and civil engineering, to enhance its ability to address environmental challenges in the Southwest, including water resource management and pollution reduction. In addition to drainage civil engineering, installation, and remediation, Glanville Environmental specializes in geospatial surveys, CCTV surveying, high-pressure water jetting, gully cleansing, liquid waste movement, and septic tank emptying. It serves a diverse customer base, including those in the water, rail, and construction sectors, as well as domestic customers.

LIST OF KEY U.K TRENCHLESS PIPE REHABILITATION AND NEW INSTALLATION COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Pipe Testing Services Limited (England)
• DASA (U.K.)
• Jet Aire (DC) Ltd. (U.K.)
• Insituform (K.)
• Glanville Environmental (England)
• Vortex Companies (U.S.)
• ASOE Pipe (U.S.)
• BRAWO Systems GmbH (Germany)
• OnSite Central Ltd. (U.K.)
• McBreen Enviro UK (U.K.)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS

• In December 2025, IPP Solutions established a solid reputation in pipeline rehabilitation and continues to lead the industry by offering spray-in-place (SIPP) solutions to a broad range of residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal projects in the U.S. and abroad. For many years, the firm has provided trenchless pipe rehabilitation services, helping clients repair broken pipelines without the expense and inconvenience of digging. Through ongoing innovation in SIPP technology, IPP Solutions enhances trenchless pipe rehabilitation by enabling efficient, non-disruptive pipeline repairs.
• In November 2025, BRAWO Systems introduced a novel light-curing technique called BRAWO Remote LC, enabling the immediate repair of connecting pipes from the main sewer. Contractors can now access and repair connection lines that were previously difficult to reach with greater independence and reliability, thanks to the system's focus on efficiency, practicality, and cost-effectiveness.
• In October 2025, PrimeLine Products Inc., a national distributor of trenchless technologies, equipment, and materials to the plumbing and utility contractor industries, was purchased by The Vortex Companies. The MaxLiner division is a great match for this acquisition. It complements Vortex's global vision and MaxLiner's business model, as well as PrimeLine's extensive product line, in-depth knowledge, and long-term client relationships. PrimeLine's deep expertise, vast product range, and long-term customer relationships are a good fit for MaxLiner's business strategy and Vortex's global objective.
• In September 2025, OnSite, a renowned U.K. provider of specialized water and railway infrastructure contracting services and a member of South Staffordshire Plc, is happy to announce that it has formed a new relationship with Wessex Water. OnSite's Sewer Rehabilitation team, a member of Wessex Water's Critical Asset Services division, has been rehired by the company to support the implementation of its capital investment and maintenance projects. Wessex Water provides water and wastewater services in the south-west. This will be made possible by Onsite's involvement in the sewage rehabilitation services framework.
• In September 2024, the K-Prema Mechanical Seal and McBreen Enviro U.K.'s S1E support effectively tackled groundwater penetration. In Gloucester, McBreen Enviro U.K. encountered an issue when groundwater seeped into a newly constructed, separate sewage system. The integrity and efficiency of the new drainage systems were compromised by the high rate of water intrusion into this network, which consisted of 120-meter lengths of concrete pipes with a diameter of 1,500 mm.

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