Prices for welded tube in Europe are improving but sellers are struggling to push through increases despite some tension in hot rolled coils prices. Some re-rollers have issued new price lists that increase base prices but leave the level of discount flat compared to the beginning of the month, re-rollers and distributors of the product tell Kallanish.

The move has the objective of increasing tube prices by €30/tonne ($32/t) month-on-month. Distributors in France and Italy say however that domestic demand is slow this month as it was in January and prices remain mostly flat on-month.

Discounts are between 43 and 44 points in Italy, France and Germany. While some transactions have soared by an average of €10-15/t m-o-m on base prices depending on volumes, some other contracts for larger volumes remain mostly stable compared to the beginning of February.

Re-rollers are convinced they can achieve the increase of €30/t in the coming weeks due to rising hot rolled coil prices. Distributors meanwhile remain sceptical as they are seeing an uncertain market and sluggish demand, Kallanish hears.