February 4, 2026 – Mid-Holiday Market Status and Forward Planning

As global industry enters the first week of February 2026, the seamless steel pipe, welded steel pipe, and structural hollow section markets are at the quiet epicenter of the annual Lunar New Year shutdown. Factories remain closed, production lines for API 5L line pipe, ASTM A106 seamless tubes, and EN 10219 cold-formed sections are silent, and logistics networks are operating at minimal capacity. This period of enforced pause is a critical time for strategic evaluation and preparation for the post-holiday rebound.

Market Status: The Full Effect of the Production Vacuum

The extended holiday closure is now fully felt across the supply chain.

Complete Production Halt: There is currently no active manufacturing of carbon steel pipes, alloy steel pipes, stainless steel seamless pipes, or welded pipes across most Asian mills. This includes OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods), boiler tubes, mechanical tubing, and large-diameter transmission pipes.

Logistics at a Standstill: Port activity is significantly reduced. The movement of steel pipe and tube shipments, including piling pipe and scaffolding pipe, has slowed to a trickle, with most cargoes awaiting the full return of workforce and customs operations.

No Spot Availability: The market for immediate or spot material is effectively non-existent. Any urgent requirement for seamless or welded steel pipes cannot be satisfied from current Asian production stock.

Leveraging the Pause: Strategic Actions for Procurement Teams

This hiatus, while challenging, provides a vital window for planning. Smart teams are using this time to:

Audit Q1 Project Pipelines: Conduct a thorough review of all project timelines against the confirmed delivery delays for structural pipes, precision tubes, and other steel pipe products. Update internal schedules and stakeholder communications.

Finalize Q2 2026 Specifications and RFQs: With no daily firefighting, this is the ideal moment to finalize technical specifications and prepare Request for Quotations for Q2 needs. Focus should be on ASTM A335 P11/P22 alloys, ASTM A312 TP304/TP316L stainless grades, and the newly relevant EN 10210 and EN 10219 structural sections.

Pre-Qualify and Engage Suppliers: Research and initiate contact with potential new suppliers for the coming year, particularly those with strong capabilities in the expanded product lines your projects may require.

Q1 2026 Post-Holiday Outlook: A Managed Restart

The focus now shifts to the shape of the market restart in late February/early March.

Orderly Return, Not a Surge: Production of seamless steel pipes and welded steel pipes is expected to ramp up progressively. A sudden surge in output is unlikely, maintaining stable price foundations for carbon steel and alloy steel products.

Demand to Drive Initial Activity: The first wave of post-holiday production will be dedicated to fulfilling backlogged orders for oil and gas pipeline projects, power generation components (heat exchanger tubes, condenser tubes), and delayed infrastructure materials.

New Variable: Export License Processing: The resumption of full administrative functions will see a surge in export license applications for stainless steel pipes and corrosion-resistant alloys. Buyers should anticipate and plan for this additional step in the post-holiday logistics timeline.

Spotlight on Expanded Solutions: Welded Pipe & Structural Sections

This planning phase is the perfect time to integrate new material options into your projects.

Welded Steel Pipes for Diverse Applications: Our newly offered welded steel pipes provide a cost-effective and readily available solution for structural supports, mechanical frames, and fluid conveyance where seamless specification is not mandated.

High-Strength Hollow Structural Sections (HSS): We now supply square tubes and rectangular hollow sections (RHS) manufactured to EN 10210 (hot-finished) and EN 10219 (cold-formed) standards. These are essential for modern construction, agricultural equipment, and industrial framing, offering excellent strength-to-weight ratios.

Your Comprehensive Source: From seamless pressure piping to welded structural tubing and precision cold-formed sections, we are positioned as a single, reliable partner for an expanded range of steel tube and pipe needs.

Immediate Next Steps for Buyers

Formalize Your Q2 Demand Forecast: Compile a detailed list of your anticipated pipe and tube requirements for April-June 2026, including quantities, grades (API 5L B/X52, ASTM A106 B, S355J2H), and delivery windows.

Initiate Pre-Production Consultations: Contact suppliers this week to discuss your Q2 forecast. Early dialogue is key to securing preferential slots in the initial post-holiday production schedules for large-diameter pipes or specialized alloy steel pipes.

Request Technical Data for New Products: Ask for specification sheets and certification details for our EN 10219 hollow sections and welded pipe ranges to evaluate their suitability for your upcoming projects.

Conclusion: From Pause to Preparedness

The quiet of February is not a market absence but a strategic interval. By acting now, procurement teams can transition from being victims of the annual cycle to being masters of it, ensuring a smooth, efficient, and cost-effective restart to their steel pipe supply chains in March.

Partner with us to build your post-holiday procurement plan. Our expertise in both traditional seamless pipes and our new welded & structural product lines ensures you have informed, reliable support for the quarter ahead.

Contact our sales planning team today to schedule a consultation and get ahead of the Q2 2026 curve.