From the Middle East through the Indian Sub-Continent and Asia, PE pipes have expanded their applications in a big way for potable water supply, industrial effluents, corrosive chemical transportation, slurry transportation, city gas distribution network and agricultural irrigation usages over ductile iron, cast iron pipes etc. PE pipes have become the most preferred material of construction for intake/outfall and industrial use against the competing materials like rubber lined steel pipes and GRP/ FRP pipes. The successful use of PE pipes especially for industrial applications like intake and outfall lines for desalination plants, thermal power, nuclear power, industrial chemicals and effluent has increased demand for large diameter or thick wall pressure pipes, and in many cases both - in the aforementioned regions. PE pipe manufacturing capacity and capability has similarly progressed in these regions with diameters >630mm and more recently from 2000mm to 2500mm. Simultaneously considering higher temperature, pressure and safety factor requirements for pipes we have seen more prevalent use of SDR ratings <11, such as SDR9, 7.4. The production of pipes of large diameter and higher thickness is still considered the biggest challenge in the Indian market sector. The uniform wall thickness distribution achievement, optimization of production losses and jointing of non-uniform wall thicknesses in the field are also a big concern. Extra low sag pre-compounded material produced using Bi-modal technology has been successfully adopted for 1600-2500mm diameter pipe production. This paper will take you across the regions showcasing the challenges we have witnessed not only producing such large pipes but in some examples pushing the boundaries in SDR not previously possible with earlier generation PE100. It seems clear that a step change has been enabled with latest generation PE material bringing additional design safety factor and design versatility to the engineering equations that a modern urban underground environment or industrial process plant has demanded.