February 11, 2026 – Pre-Restart Market Assessment and Proactive Planning

 As we move into the second week of February 2026, the global seamless steel pipe, welded steel pipe, and structural hollow section industry remains in the calm before the restart. The extended Lunar New Year closure is now entering its final phase, with the first signs of reactivation appearing. This is a pivotal moment for buyers to finalize strategies and secure early advantage for the impending production ramp-up in late February and early March.

 Current Market Status: Lingering Dormancy with Early Stirrings

 The supply chain is still largely dormant, but the groundwork for reactivation is being laid.

 Production Still Idle: Active manufacturing of carbon steel pipes, alloy steel pipes, stainless steel seamless pipes (ASTM A312), and welded pipes remains on hold. This includes critical products like OCTG (Oil Country Tubular Goods), high-pressure boiler tubes, large-diameter line pipes, and precision steel tubes.

 Logistics Preparing to Ramp: While major shipments of piling pipe, scaffolding pipe, and structural pipes are not yet flowing, logistics providers and port authorities are gearing up for the expected surge in activity.

 Limited Pre-Holiday Stock Depleted: Any remaining spot material for seamless or welded steel pipes that was produced before the shutdown has been largely allocated. The market remains in a state of very limited available supply.

 Anticipating the Post-Holiday Restart: Dynamics and Timing

 The focus is now sharply on the restart timeline and its immediate effects.

 Staggered Workforce Return: Production of seamless steel pipes and welded steel pipes is expected to resume in a staggered manner from the week of February 23rd onwards. Full, stable output for grades like API 5L X52/X60, ASTM A106 Grade B, and ASTM A335 P11 is anticipated by early March.

 Priority Order Backlog: The initial wave of production will be overwhelmingly dedicated to clearing the significant backlog of orders placed before the holiday. This includes delayed shipments for oil and gas pipeline projects, power generation equipment, and construction frameworks.

New Orders and Lead Times: For new orders placed now—especially for alloy steel pipes, corrosion-resistant pipes, or non-standard hollow structural sections—realistic lead times must factor in this backlog. Initial post-holiday lead times could extend to 50-65 days before stabilizing.

Strategic Procurement Imperatives for This Week

Proactive action this week is essential to avoid being at the back of the queue.

Finalize and Submit Q2 2026 RFQs Immediately: This is the most critical action. To secure slots in the first production cycles, formal requests for quotation for Q2 needs must be issued now. This is especially true for projects requiring ASTM A312 TP304/TP316L, EN 10210 / EN 10219 structural sections, or large tonnages of carbon steel pipes.

Re-engage with Key Suppliers: Initiate concrete discussions with your primary steel pipe suppliers and steel tube exporters. Confirm their restart schedules, discuss your forecasted demand, and understand their allocation process for the coming weeks.

Plan for Export License Processing Times: Remember that the new export control procedures will run concurrently with the production restart. Factor in additional time for license acquisition for stainless steel pipe and specialty alloy pipe shipments when planning delivery schedules.

Highlighting Our Expanded Portfolio for Your 2026 Projects

The post-holiday period is an ideal time to evaluate new, cost-effective material solutions for your upcoming projects.

Comprehensive Welded Steel Pipe Solutions: Our expanded offering includes a full range of welded steel pipes, suitable for structural applications, mechanical systems, and fluid transport where seamless specification is not critical, offering excellent value.

 High-Strength Structural Hollow Sections (HSS): We now supply premium square tubes and rectangular hollow sections (RHS) manufactured to EN 10210 (hot-finished) and EN 10219 (cold-formed) standards. These products, such as S355J2H grade, are essential for modern construction, material handling, and industrial equipment design.

Your Single-Source Advantage: From seamless pipes for high-pressure service to welded pipes for structural support and cold-formed hollow sections, we provide a streamlined, reliable supply chain for a broader spectrum of your steel pipe and tube requirements.

Conclusion: From Planning to Execution

The quiet of mid-February is the last, best opportunity to prepare. The market will shift rapidly from dormancy to high activity in the coming fortnight. By taking decisive steps now to plan, communicate, and place forward orders, buyers can ensure they are at the front of the line for seamless tubes, welded pipes, and structural sections, securing both timely delivery and stable pricing as the market normalizes.

Partner with us to navigate the restart with confidence. Our integrated expertise across both traditional seamless steel pipes and the new welded & structural product lines positions us to be your strategic partner for a successful Q2.

Contact our team without delay to discuss your project pipeline and secure your position in the post-holiday production queue.