Pipe
of all types and sizes is critical in building, construction, chemical,
energy, and other industrial applications. The pipe industry is expected
to experience considerable change and varying growth rates in these
uncertain economic times. The global export market of the steel pipes is
stated to be close to $27 billion a year with the US, Western Europe,
Australia, and Japan being the biggest importers. India is one of the
major exporting nations including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand.
Steel pipe industry in India consists of firms mainly engaged in
manufacturing seamless or welded steel pipes or tubes or ferrous metal
pipe or tube fittings. The five primary steel producers in India are,
namely Steel Authority of India (SAIL), Tata Iron and Steel, Jindal
Vijaynagar Steel (JVSL), Essar Steel and Ispat Industries. Major
industry bodies like the Corsma, the All-India Cycle Manufacturers'
Association (AICMA), the Federation of Industries of India, which
represent the tubes and pipes makers and a large number of white goods
makers, have joined hands to sort out the matters concerning the future
of steel pipe industry.
The building & construction industries along with the oil & gas
sector are the major marketplaces for pipe. With the construction market
booming and further development of new markets for steel pipes ranging
from commercial framing to water pipes, the future of steel tubing
industry certainly looks bright. Significant consolidation and
rationalization of excess capacity has occurred in some segments, while
cost containment and improved process and quality control measures have
led to productivity gains and quality improvements across the entire
pipe industry.
