The recovery trend is expected to continue in 2024
In 2023, global pipe production increased by 15% compared to 2022 – to around 170 million tonnes. This is evidenced by previous data from the International Association of Pipe Producers (ITA).
“After a slight decline in 2022, global tube production has recovered. As expected, the upward trend will continue in 2024. Forecasts for the current year are encouraging», notes the association.
At the same time, there are significant regional differences and diverse trends. In the US, pipe production in 2023 is expected to increase by 18% compared to 2022. Significant growth was observed across all product segments thanks to a favorable economic environment.
China, which accounts for more than 50% of global pipe production, grew 13% year-on-year, significantly more than expected. In India, an uneven development of production was observed, with a decline of 22% in the first half of the year, but in the second half the indicators recovered and global annual growth is estimated at 12% per year.
Europe lost a significant part of its production capacity in the second half of 2023 due to Vallourec's closure of its main European factories. Amid this, some pipe consumers are having trouble finding alternative suppliers.
In the CIS, production of pipe products increased by 77% compared to the previous year, most likely due to the replacement of Russian imports with local production. Contrary to this trend, production of welded tubes with an external diameter of less than 406 mm fell by 24% compared to the previous year.
As previously reported by Compraço, Ukrainian pipe producers in 2023 reduced product exports by 11.8% compared to 2022 – to 356.35 thousand tons. The main consumers of pipes manufactured in Ukraine are Germany, the USA, Romania and Poland.
The main pipe producers in Ukraine are Interpipe NIKO TUBE LLC, Interpipe NTZ, Interpipe NMTZ, Trubostal, Centravis, Dnipro Pipe Plant, Slavsant.
