China (Shanghai) International Pipe & Tube Exhibition

The 2025 China (Shanghai) International Tube Exhibition (Tube China) was successfully held from September 23 to 26 at the Shanghai New International Expo Center. Co-organized by Messe Düsseldorf and the Metallurgical Industry Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, this year’s event was themed “Smart Manufacturing of Tubes—Connecting the Future,” making it Asia’s most important annual gathering for technical exchange and business matchmaking in the tube industry. Concurrent with the exhibition were a series of events, including the China Tube Industry Development Summit Forum, a Tube Processing Technology Seminar, and an International Buyer–Seller Matchmaking Session.

With an exhibition area of 35,000 square meters, the show brought together over 500 exhibiting companies from more than 20 countries and regions, including China, Germany, the United States, Japan, Italy, France, South Korea, and India. The exhibitor lineup featured leading domestic tube manufacturers such as Tianjin Steel Pipe, Baosteel, Ansteel, Hengyang Valin Steel Pipe, Jiuli Special Materials, and Wujin Stainless Steel, alongside internationally renowned brands like Vallourec, Tenaris, and Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation. Over the four days, the exhibition welcomed more than 25,000 professional visitors from over 80 countries and regions worldwide, with international buyers accounting for over 35% of attendees.

The seamless pipe section emerged as the highlight of this year’s show. Tianjin Steel Pipe showcased its “High-Grade Oil Casing” and “High-Pressure Boiler Tube” product lines, widely used in oil and gas extraction and power plant boiler applications. Baosteel presented its “Precision Seamless Steel Pipes” and “Automotive Tubes,” whose accuracy and performance meet international advanced standards. Hengyang Valin Steel Pipe exhibited its “Large-Diameter Seamless Pipes” and “Gas Cylinder Tubes,” while Jiuli Special Materials highlighted its “Nickel-Based Alloy Pipes” and “Titanium Pipes,” primarily serving aerospace and nuclear power sectors. Several companies noted that demand for high-performance alloy tubes in advanced manufacturing continues to grow, accelerating the domestic substitution process.

The welded pipe section also drew significant attention. Baoji Petroleum Steel Pipe displayed its “Spiral Submerged-Arc Welded Pipes” and “Straight-Seam Submerged-Arc Welded Pipes,” mainly used for long-distance oil and gas pipelines. Jinzhou Pipeline introduced its “Galvanized Pipes” and “Steel-Plastic Composite Pipes,” extensively applied in municipal engineering and fire protection. Youfa Steel Pipe showcased its “Square and Rectangular Pipes” and “Scaffolding Pipes,” commonly used in the construction industry. Zhujiang Steel Pipe focused on its “Deep-Sea Oil and Gas Transportation Pipes,” boasting technology at an internationally advanced level. Many welded pipe manufacturers reported that national pipeline infrastructure development and urban renewal projects are providing vast market opportunities for the welded pipe sector.

The stainless steel pipe section garnered considerable interest. Tai Steel Stainless exhibited its “Duplex Stainless Steel Pipes” and “Super Austenitic Stainless Steel Pipes,” renowned for their excellent corrosion resistance. Wujin Stainless unveiled its “Precision Stainless Steel Pipes” and “Heat Exchanger Tubes,” while Jiuli Special Materials emphasized its “Nuclear Power Tubes” and “Aerospace Tubes.” Several buyers remarked that the application scope of stainless steel pipes is steadily expanding across petrochemicals, marine engineering, medical equipment, and other fields, with strong demand for high-end products.

The tube processing equipment section also performed strongly. The China Academy of Heavy Machinery exhibited its “Large-Diameter Tube Straightening Machines” and “Tube Rolling Mills.” Jiangyin Sanzhi showcased its “Precision Cold Drawing Machines” and “Tube Diameter Reduction Machines,” while Zhejiang Jinmaixun highlighted its “CNC Tube Bending Machines” and “Tube End Forming Machines.” Many equipment suppliers noted that tube processing machinery is evolving toward greater automation and intelligence.

The International Buyer–Seller Matchmaking Session yielded fruitful results. Held on the third day of the exhibition, the session invited over 100 overseas buyers from more than 30 countries and regions, including the United States, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, India, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, and Nigeria, to engage in one-on-one negotiations with exhibiting companies. Procurement needs spanned various categories, such as oil casings, pipeline tubes, boiler tubes, stainless steel pipes, and pipe fittings. According to preliminary statistics, the total intended purchase value agreed upon during the session exceeded US$200 million. A buyer from Saudi Arabia commented, “Tube China is Asia’s most important platform for tube procurement; Chinese tubes offer clear advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and delivery timelines.”

The China Tube Industry Development Summit Forum brought together industry leaders. With the theme “High-Quality Development and Global Expansion,” the forum featured speeches by the Vice President of the China Iron and Steel Association, the President of the Metallurgical Industry Branch of the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, the Chief Engineer of Tianjin Steel Pipe, and the President of Vallourec Asia-Pacific, among others. Discussions centered on topics such as “Green Manufacturing in the Tube Industry,” “The Domestication Process of High-End Tubes,” and “Opportunities and Challenges for China’s Tube Exports.” Experts attending the forum pointed out that China’s tube industry is transitioning from “scale expansion” to “quality enhancement,” with technological innovation and global strategic deployment being key drivers of corporate growth.

As global energy structures adjust and high-end manufacturing advances, the tube industry is accelerating its transformation toward “high-end, precision, and green” orientations. As Asia’s largest specialized tube exhibition, Tube China has become a strategic platform for companies to showcase new products, connect with customers, gain insights into emerging trends, and expand into global markets.