Despite low buying activity in the Polish welded pipe market, both local and foreign suppliers have been forced to raise their quotations on the back of higher prices for hot rolled coils (HRC). Domestic and export offers of Polish welded pipes have increased by €40-55/mt over the past month. Import offers of Czech welded pipes have moved up by €10/mt. Italian suppliers have increased their welded pipe quotations by $20/mt during the past month, while offers of Bulgarian welded pipes have climbed by €50-60/mt for Polish customers. Market insiders expect a rebound in real demand but not before the second quarter of 2011. The rebound in question is expected to be driven by infrastructural projects. However, welded pipe prices in Poland may remain firm in the coming period in line with strong quotations for flat steel products.
Current offers of locally produced welded pipes and hollow sections made from S235JR grade HRC according to EN 10219 are being given to the Polish domestic market at around €640-680/mt delivered for January 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 €680-710/mt delivered. ERW galvanized pipes made to DIN 2440/2444 are quoted for local customers at a minimum of €880-890/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 €600-650/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 €630-690/mt FCA.
Import offers of Czech origin welded pipes as per EN 10210 are being given to the Polish market at a minimum of €620-630/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 €640-690/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 €650-660/mt CPT on theoretical weight basis.