Introduction
On September 26, the 3rd China Stainless Steel Pipe Conference was held in Wenzhou. Professor Li Tianbao, from the Stainless Steel Branch of the China Iron and Steel Association, delivered a keynote speech titled "Current Status and Future Trends of China's Stainless Steel Pipe Industry."
1. Leading Global Production with Continuous Innovation
As a critical material for national projects and major equipment manufacturing, China's stainless steel pipe industry has developed a complete industrial system after more than 40 years. According to incomplete statistics, in 2024, China's stainless steel pipe (including nickel corrosion-resistant alloy) production exceeded 5.8 million tons, a 6.8% year-on-year increase. China now accounts for nearly half of the global market, fully meeting domestic demand and expanding exports worldwide.
The industry covers a wide range of applications-from industrial seamless pipes and large/small diameter welded pipes to household water supply, structural, and decorative pipes. Innovation has become the driving force behind the sector's growth, with major companies introducing new products and technologies in nuclear power, aerospace, deep-sea exploration, and new energy fields.
Leading enterprises such as Jiuli Hi-Tech Metals, Zhongxing Energy, Baoyin Special Materials, and TISCO have achieved world-class breakthroughs, including super duplex stainless steel pipes, ultra-clean tubes, and bimetal composite pipes for nuclear and deep-sea use.
2. Accelerated Digital Transformation and Smart Manufacturing
China's stainless steel pipe industry has advanced from single-point digital trials to systematic smart manufacturing. Under the leadership of benchmark companies such as Shangshang Desheng, more enterprises have developed digital systems tailored to their operations.
CNC process coverage has reached 80% and digital equipment rate 55%.
Companies like Jiuli Hi-Tech and Wujin Stainless have built integrated digital management systems (MES, BI, U8), achieving real-time production control and data transparency.
Yongshang Special Materials reduced annual energy consumption by 12% and cut costs by over 5 million RMB through big data optimization.
During the "15th Five-Year Plan," the industry will continue advancing Industry 4.0, focusing on smart perception, machine learning control, green and safe production, and process stability improvement.
3. Clear Pathways in Sub-Sectors - Promoting "Four Transformations"
For different product categories, Professor Li highlighted the following directions:
Large-diameter welded pipes should enhance welding metallurgy and mechanical properties while leveraging automation for mass projects.
Small/medium-diameter industrial pipes will improve roundness and precision under strict standards.
Household and water-supply pipes will grow rapidly due to urban renovation projects, promoting buried anti-corrosion coated pipes.
Seamless stainless steel pipes will pursue "Differentiation, Specialization, High-end development, and Branding."
Companies will focus on microstructure optimization, fine-grained product classification, and brand-building to meet customized industrial demands.
4. Breakthrough in Metallurgical Bonding Composite Pipe Technology
Li introduced a world-leading metallurgical bonding seamless composite pipe technology. It combines carbon or low-alloy steel base with stainless steel, nickel alloy, or titanium cladding, achieving interfacial bonding strength ≥300 MPa and decarburized depth ≤0.4 mm—far exceeding traditional methods.
Applications include oil & gas pipelines, power generation, nuclear plants, chemical processing, marine engineering, desulfurization systems, and paper manufacturing, offering both high structural strength and corrosion resistance at lower cost.
5. "15th Five-Year Plan" Brings Strategic Opportunities
Looking ahead, China's energy transition, nuclear expansion, and marine engineering boom (offshore wind, desalination, shipbuilding) will create massive demand.
Emerging industries like hydrogen energy, coal-to-liquids, CO₂ storage, and ultra-supercritical power units will open new markets for stainless steel pipes.
Professor Li concluded that innovation, digitalization, and green production will be the keys to transforming China's stainless steel pipe sector from "scale leadership" to "quality and technology leadership."
