The results of a China Steel Construction Society (SCS) audit show that around 14% of structural steel demand is for pipe, which implies around 7 million tonnes of pipe demand in 2015 arose from the segment. The report further shows that estimated pipe demand this year from fabricated construction is around 8mt.

China aims to improve its structural steel consumption from 50 million tonnes/year to above 100m t/y by the end of 2020. This is according to the steel industry adjustment and upgrade plan for 2016 to 2020 launched by the Economy and Information Commission (EIC). If the pipe usage percentage remains at the 2015 level, then estimated pipe demand could reach 14m t/y by 2020, Kallanish notes.

Seamless pipe, longitudinal submerged arc welded (LSAW) pipe, and high-frequency longitudinal-seam steel pipe are three main types in question, with proportions of around 25%, 65% and 10% respectively. In addition, hot-rolled square tube is mainly used in large stadia construction.