Definition of Welded Steel Pipe Industry:

Welded steel pipes, commonly referred to as welded pipes, are metal pipes manufactured through a series of process steps. Starting materials include steel strips or steel plates, which are bent and formed into various shapes such as round, square, etc. They are then connected and formed using welding techniques, leaving a welded seam on the surface. In the manufacturing process, the main raw materials used are steel plates or steel strips, which are carefully selected and prepared for the production of various types of welded steel pipes. Based on the form of the welded seam, welded pipes can be classified into two main types: straight seam welded pipes and spiral welded pipes.

Depending on the application area, welded steel pipes can be further categorized into different types, such as electric resistance welded thin-wall pipes, electric resistance welded profile pipes, etc., each optimized for their respective applications. Furthermore, based on the welding method employed, welded pipes can also be divided into gas welded pipes, furnace welded pipes, bondi pipes, etc.

Welded Steel Pipe Industry Upstream, Midstream, and Downstream:

In the upstream segment of the welded steel pipe industry, the primary raw materials include hot-rolled steel strips, zinc ingots, as well as welding materials, anti-corrosion coatings, etc. Among these, the costs of hot-rolled steel strips and zinc ingots account for over 90%. Regarding downstream applications, welded steel pipes are predominantly used in industries such as petroleum, natural gas, heating, water supply pipelines, construction, electricity, etc. For instance, they are utilized in manufacturing scaffolding pipes to provide stable structural support for construction projects. They are also employed in producing automobile chassis to enhance the structural strength of vehicles. Additionally, welded steel pipes find application in transformer production, ensuring the stable operation of power systems.

In July 2023, the monthly production of welded steel pipes in China witnessed a year-on-year growth.

Specifically, the total production of welded steel pipes in July 2023 reached 5.211 billion tons, marking an increase of 11.3% compared to the same period last year. Looking at the cumulative production from the beginning of the year until July, the domestic production of welded steel pipes totaled 35.079 million tons from January to July 2023, representing a year-on-year growth of 13.1%. Currently, the welded steel pipe industry in China is experiencing rapid development, with notable achievements in product structure adjustment, technological equipment enhancement, energy conservation, and emission reduction. With the continuous improvement in welding technology and quality, the variety and specifications of welded steel pipes are increasing. They are gradually replacing seamless steel pipes in various fields, currently accounting for around 70% of the total steel pipe production.