The Polish welded pipe market continues to remain quiet, with prices still on a downward trend. Negative forecasts have affected the welded pipe sector, while HRC prices are quite low in Poland. Welded pipe consumption in the country is lacking and customers are extremely cautious due to the onset of the winter season. Domestic offers of Polish welded pipes have decreased by a minimum of €15/mt over the past month, while export quotations have declined by €30-50/mt. Welded pipe prices in Poland may increase, though not by any large margin, at the beginning of the coming year amid expected higher HRC prices. Polish pipe makers hope that in the second quarter of 2011 the market will be characterized by greater stability.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10219 are being given to the domestic market at around €585-640/mt delivered for December production, exclusive of 22 percent VAT. Domestic quotations of water and gas ERW pipes of 2.6-4.5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10255 are at €640-670/mt delivered. ERW galvanized pipes made to DIN 2440/2444 are quoted for local customers at a minimum of €840-850/mt delivered.
Export quotations of Polish ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are at the level of €550-600/mt FCA. Offers of similar pipes with wall thickness of 1.5 mm made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN10219 are in the range of €580-640/mt FCA.
Import offers of Czech origin welded pipes as per EN 10210 are being given to the Polish market at a minimum of €610-620/mt CPT.
Quotations of Italian black welded pipes of 2"-6" size with wall thickness of 2.0-4.0 mm as per EN 10219 made from steel grade S235JR HR coils to the Polish market are at the level of €620-670/mt CPT.
Offers of Bulgarian ERW pipes and hollow sections of 2-5 mm wall thickness made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 to Polish customers are standing at an average of €590-610/mt CPT on theoretical weight basis.
Romanian 3"-4" welded pipes made from S235JR grade HRC as per EN 10219 are being offered to Poland at €730-770/mt CPT.