February 27, 2026 – Operations Resume as Market Enters Crucial Four-Week Window

 As we emerge from the extended Lunar New Year holiday and resume full operations in the final week of February, the global seamless steel pipe, welded steel pipe, and structural hollow section landscape has decisively shifted gears. With approximately four weeks remaining in Q1 2026, the market is rapidly transitioning from the enforced quiet of the holiday to the intense activity of backlog clearance and new-order fulfillment. Understanding the dynamics of this compressed timeframe is essential for buyers aiming to secure materials for Q2 project starts.

 Post-Holiday Restart: The "Immediate Production" Phase

 This year's post-holiday restart differs notably from previous cycles, characterized by what industry analysis terms "immediate production" .

 Rapid Operational Ramp-Up: Unlike the gradual "start-slow, accelerate-after-Lantern-Festival" pattern of 2025, mills across Asia have returned with remarkable speed. Worker attendance rates at surveyed seamless and welded pipe enterprises reached approximately 65% by the tenth day of the New Year, with equipment utilization hitting 40% in the first week back . Production of API 5L line pipe, ASTM A106 Grade B seamless tubes, and OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods) is now actively ramping.

 Order Backlog Priority: The initial phase of production is overwhelmingly dedicated to clearing the significant backlog of orders placed before the shutdown. This includes delayed shipments for oil and gas pipeline projects, power generation equipment requiring boiler tubes and heat exchanger tubes, and construction frameworks needing structural pipes and hollow sections. New inquiries for seamless steel pipes and alloy steel pipes are now entering a queue behind these pre-holiday commitments.

 The Q1 Final Stretch: A Four-Week Window of Critical Activity

 With only one month remaining in Q1 2026, the market is entering a condensed period of high-stakes procurement and supply chain recalibration.

 Supply Tightness Persists: Despite the restart, the cumulative effect of the 4-5 week production hiatus means that supply of carbon steel pipes, stainless steel seamless pipes (ASTM A312), and large-diameter transmission pipes will remain constrained through March. Available spot material for piling pipe and scaffolding pipe is being rapidly absorbed.

 Price Support from Cost and Demand: Industry data confirms that raw material costs for alloy steel pipes and duplex stainless steel pipes have moved higher post-holiday, providing a firm floor under pricing . Concurrently, the resumption of major infrastructure and energy projects is injecting sustained demand, creating a market environment where prices are expected to remain stable-to-firm through the remainder of Q1 .

 Export License Integration: The new export control procedures are now a normalized part of the logistics landscape. Shipments of stainless steel pipe and high-grade alloy pipe are subject to a consistent 10-15 day administrative layer, a factor that buyers must integrate into all Q2 delivery planning.

 Key Sectoral Demand Drivers Post-Holiday

 As the market reawakens, several sectors are demonstrating particularly strong procurement momentum:

 Energy and LNG Infrastructure: Ongoing investment in oil, gas, and hydrogen projects globally continues to drive orders for line pipe, casing, and tubing. Specialized grades for demanding environments, such as ASTM A333 Grade 6 for low-temperature service, are seeing increased inquiry activity.

 Power Generation and Industrial Maintenance: Planned turnarounds in thermal and nuclear facilities are generating steady demand for high-pressure boiler tubes, condenser tubes, and mechanical tubing.

 Construction and Structural Applications: The resumption of building projects is fueling requirements for structural hollow sections, including square tubes and rectangular hollow sections (RHS) manufactured to international standards.

 Expanded Product Portfolio: Meeting Diverse Project Specifications

 In response to the evolving needs of the global market, we are proud to highlight our recently expanded product lines, which are now fully integrated into our post-holiday offerings.

 Comprehensive Welded Steel Pipe Solutions: Beyond our core seamless pipe expertise, we now supply a full spectrum of welded steel pipes suitable for structural supports, mechanical frames, and fluid conveyance applications where seamless specification is not mandatory. This provides buyers with cost-effective alternatives without compromising on quality.

 High-Strength Hollow Structural Sections: Our portfolio now includes premium square tubes and rectangular hollow sections (RHS) manufactured to EN 10210 (hot-finished) and EN 10219 (cold-formed) standards. Grades such as S355J2H are readily available, offering excellent strength-to-weight ratios for modern architectural, construction, and industrial equipment designs.

 One-Stop Sourcing Advantage: From seamless pressure pipes for critical service to welded structural tubing and cold-formed precision sections, we now provide a single, reliable source for a broader range of your steel pipe and tube needs, streamlining procurement and ensuring consistent quality.

 Strategic Procurement Guidance for the Weeks Ahead

With the Q1 window narrowing and Q2 planning commencing, decisive action is required:

 Immediately Formalize Q2 Requirements: For projects with confirmed start dates in April or May 2026, final specifications and firm orders must be placed now to secure production slots in the first post-backlog cycles. This is especially critical for long-lead items such as large-diameter seamless pipes, ASTM A335 P11/P22/P91 alloy tubes, and custom EN 10219 S355J2H hollow sections.

 Verify Documentation and Compliance: Engage with your suppliers to confirm that Mill Test Certificates (MTC) and Origin Certificates for all pending and new orders are aligned with both project specifications and the new export license requirements. Any documentation errors will cause costly delays.

 Leverage Our Expanded Capabilities for Value Engineering: Evaluate opportunities to integrate our welded pipe and EN 10210/EN 10219 structural section products into your designs. This approach can optimize project costs and material availability without sacrificing performance.

 Conclusion: Navigating the Post-Holiday Surge with a Strategic Partner

 The final month of Q1 2026 will be defined by the efficient clearance of backlogs and the strategic positioning of orders for Q2. Success in this environment belongs to buyers who act with speed and precision, backed by suppliers with deep market knowledge and broad product capabilities.

 We are your strategic partner for this critical period. Our expertise spans the entire range from traditional seamless steel pipes and alloy steel pipes to our newly expanded lines of welded steel pipes and European-standard hollow structural sections. We combine operational reliability with proactive supply chain planning to ensure your projects have the right materials, with the right certifications, at the right time.

 Contact our sales team today to finalize your Q2 2026 procurement strategy and secure priority access to post-holiday production capacity.