ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market Trends

ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market Overview

The ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market size was valued at USD 133.2 million in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 213.91 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2025 to 2033.

In 2024, the ERW (Electric Resistance Welded) steel pipes and tubes market reached a global production volume of approximately 67.6 million tons, distributed across 185 manufacturing facilities worldwide. Asia-Pacific dominates the sector, accounting for about 60% of total consumption—China alone represents 45%, with India contributing 25% and Japan 18% of that regional output. North American output exceeded 5.8 million tons, representing roughly 5.5% of global production, while Europe held around 20%, led by Germany, France, and the UK, which together contributed 70% of the regional total. The Middle East & Africa region accounted for approximately 15%, driven predominantly by pipelines in oil & gas and water infrastructure projects. By industry application, construction uses about 40% of ERW tubes, oil & gas accounts for approximately 55%, and the automotive sector consumes around 27% of total output. Diameter segmentation shows that small-diameter tubes (less than 6 inches) constitute 65% of the product mix, while larger diameters (over 6 inches) make up the remaining 35%. Between 2022 and 2024, mechanical tubing output reached 27.7 million tons, contributing significantly to ERW production volumes. ERW technology represented over 52% of all steel pipe units manufactured in 2024, marking it as the predominant pipe production method globally. Production capacity expanded by 32% during the same period, with Asia-Pacific and North America driving most of that growth.

Key Findings

Driver: Rapid industrial expansion and emphasis on national infrastructure projects drove accelerated demand for reliable ERW steel pipes.

Country/Region: Asia‑Pacific led consumption with 40.6 million tons, accounting for approximately 60% of global ERW output in 2024.

Segment: Small‑diameter ERW pipes (<6 in) represented the largest share, totaling 44 million tons, or about 65% of market volume.

ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market Trends

The ERW steel pipes and tubes market is evolving in response to infrastructure investments, advanced production technologies, and emerging downstream applications. Asia‑Pacific’s infrastructure spending on urban development, energy projects, and utility networks has led to a 32% increase in ERW production capacity since 2022. Over 110 new ERW lines became operational in China and India from 2022 to 2024, with a collective capacity of 15 million tons, targeting construction and irrigation projects. Oil & gas pipeline investment also remained robust: more than 18,500 km of ERW linepipes were commissioned globally in 2023–2024. Key pipeline projects across Asia‑Pacific and MENA used diameters ranging from 4 to 12 inches, leveraging ERW pipe profiles that made up 55% of pipeline volume in 2024. In industrial applications, automotive tube usage rose by 11%, reaching 18.3 million tons in 2024, reflecting a shift toward tubular components for chassis and frame components. Production capacity for square and rectangular sections also doubled between 2022 and 2024 to meet demand for structural and scaffold tubing.

Technological improvements are transitioning ERW mills to high-frequency welding lines. By 2024, 72% of ERW plants globally had adopted HFI (High Frequency Induction) welding, improving weld strength by 22% and reducing rejection rates from 4.8% to 2.3%. Cold forming and automated inspection advancements contributed to a 27% improvement in production efficiency across Asia‑Pacific and North American mills. At the same time, more than 78 facilities installed automated ultrasonic weld inspection, raising overall quality compliance to 96%, especially in oil & gas sectors where pipeline integrity is critical. A rise in demand from renewable energy infrastructure—particularly solar and wind tower construction—prompted ERW tubes usage to increase by 39%, reaching 7.8 million tons in 2024. These tubes serve as lightweight structural members and cable conduits. Sustainability also became a key trend: over 60% of steel inputs were sourced from recycled scrap, reaching 1.8 million tons in North America and Europe, enabling producers to meet emerging eco‑design specifications. Finally, the digital transformation of ERW mills saw the implementation of IIoT-based energy monitoring in 45% of facilities—yielding energy savings of 8% per ton of pipe produced. Integration of AI-enabled scheduling systems led to production uptime gains of 11%. Such trends highlight the market’s shift toward smarter, greener, and more resilient infrastructure components.

ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Infrastructure spending and pipeline modernization

The global push for infrastructure renewal and clean energy delivery is driving ERW demand. In Asia‑Pacific alone, construction activity accounted for 40% of all ERW tube usage, including over 110,000 km of municipal pipelines in 2023–2024. Meanwhile, 18,500 km of oil & gas pipelines were commissioned globally, with ERW line pipes accounting for 55% of that volume—supporting energy security and modernization efforts.

RESTRAINT

Raw material cost volatility

Fluctuations in steel scrap and hot-rolled coil prices—rising by 19% in 2024—are squeezing margins. Approximately 32 mills reported reduced production or curtailed operations due to price spikes, and 28% of all ERW producers increased product prices in response—compromising downstream demand, especially in cost-sensitive emerging markets.

OPPORTUNITY

Expansion into renewable energy and green building segments

Demand for ERW tubes used in solar support structures, wind tower internals, and geothermal installations reached 7.8 million tons, a 39% increase. With over 180 new renewable power projects under development globally, ERW steel offers a cost-effective option for lightweight, high-integrity applications. Companies with production adaptability stand to capture new market segments.

CHALLENGE

Regulatory compliance and standard harmonization

Global trade in ERW pipes now spans more than 85 countries, each with distinct standards. Compliance with ISO, ASTM, and API norms is mandatory for 98% of international projects. Around 42 incidents in pipeline applications have been traced to weld defects or unaligned specifications since 2022, spurring producers to invest up to $24 million in certification and testing equipment—raising barriers to entry for smaller mills.

ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market Segmentation

The ERW steel pipes and tubes market is classified by pipe shape type and application sector to reflect demand distribution and manufacturing focus. Structured segmentation reveals that round pipes continue to dominate at 47 million tons—around 70% of volume—with wide use in linepipe networks, scaffolding, and mechanical applications. Square pipes, used heavily in HVAC duct and structural frameworks, reached 12 million tons, while rectangular pipes met demands for automotive chassis and storage tank frames, accounting for 8.6 million tons.

By Type

Round Pipes: Round ERW pipes dominate with 47 million tons, used in linepipe, scaffolding, and mechanical equipment. These pipes range in diameter from 21 mm to 610 mm, with small-diameter tubes (<6 in) making up 65% of total ERW volume.
Square Pipes: Producers manufactured 12 million tons of square ERW tubing, largely for HVAC ducting, architectural applications, and building frames. Sectional sizes include 20 × 20 mm to 150 × 150 mm.
Rectangular Pipes: Rectangular tubes accounted for 8.6 million tons, used in structural elements, transport chassis, and machinery frames. Common dimensions include 20 × 40 mm to 100 × 200 mm.

By Application

Construction: The construction sector consumed about 27 million tons of ERW tubes in 2024. Roughly 70% of new residential skyscrapers and urban infrastructure projects used modular tubing systems. Over 8,500 km of structural and plumbing piping lines were installed in Africa’s urban development initiatives.
Automotive: ERW tube usage in the automotive sector reached 18.3 million tons, representing 27% of market volume. Manufacturers installed over 2 million tons of chassis tubing in North America alone, while Asia‑Pacific experienced a 13% uplift in demand for tubular automotive components.
Oil & Gas: The most substantial application segment, oil & gas, consumed 37 million tons of ERW pipes. Global pipelines totaling 18,500 km were laid in 2023–2024, particularly for onshore crude and refined product transport. Linepipes with diameters of 4 to 12 inches made up 55% of monthly production.

ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market Regional Outlook

North America

The ERW steel pipes and tubes market in North America is characterized by robust demand across oil & gas, automotive, and infrastructure sectors. In 2023, the U.S. accounted for approximately 47% of the regional consumption, with Canada contributing 32% and Mexico 21%. The United States witnessed a sharp rise in infrastructure modernization projects, driving the use of ERW pipes in water lines, energy transmission, and construction. Over 190,000 tons of ERW pipes were consumed for oil and gas transmission alone in the U.S. in 2023. Additionally, ERW tubes have become essential for structural support in skyscrapers, with over 1.3 million meters of rectangular pipes used in new high-rise developments across Texas, New York, and California. The automotive sector remains a consistent consumer, especially for precision-sized tubes in electric vehicle production, with usage increasing by 16% in 2024.

Europe

Europe continues to emphasize sustainability, heavily investing in recyclable and low-emission steel pipe manufacturing. Germany, Italy, and France lead ERW pipe demand, contributing 68% of the regional market in 2023. Renewable energy applications have become key growth drivers, especially wind energy towers and solar power support structures. Over 2.4 million tons of galvanized and weather-resistant ERW tubes were used in European solar farms in 2023. The UK’s construction sector consumed nearly 600,000 tons of ERW structural steel tubes for residential and commercial buildings. Furthermore, regional steel producers have increased capacity for ERW pipes compliant with European Green Deal regulations, with more than 60% of new output meeting low-carbon steel requirements by early 2024.

Asia‑Pacific

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest contributor to the global ERW steel pipes and tubes market, with China alone accounting for nearly 41% of global production and 38% of global consumption in 2023. India, Japan, and South Korea also play vital roles, with collective demand exceeding 25 million tons in 2024. Infrastructure expansion in India alone led to the usage of more than 9 million meters of ERW pipes in smart city projects and metro rail lines. China’s oil and gas sector increased its consumption by 12%, particularly in western pipeline extensions. Additionally, ERW square and rectangular tubes are widely utilized in manufacturing and furniture industries in Southeast Asia. Export activity from the region has surged, with over 8 million tons shipped to Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America annually.

Middle East & Africa

The Middle East & Africa (MEA) market for ERW steel pipes and tubes continues to expand, largely driven by oil & gas infrastructure, urbanization, and desalination projects. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia contributed to over 70% of ERW pipe demand in the region. In 2023, Saudi Arabia used over 1.6 million tons of ERW steel pipes for water and petrochemical pipelines. Large-scale initiatives such as NEOM have created fresh opportunities for structural and pressure-bearing ERW tubes. In Africa, countries like Nigeria, Egypt, and South Africa are investing in pipeline rehabilitation and housing projects, which saw ERW pipe imports grow by 27% year-on-year in 2024. Import dependence remains high, with local production covering only 30% of total demand in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Tata Steel (India): Tata Steel leads the ERW market in India with 4.2 million tons of production annually, operating eight ERW lines and serving the construction and pipeline sectors across South Asia.

Welspun Corp (India): Welspun Corp commands approximately 3.9 million tons in annual ERW output, with five fully integrated plants in India and the Gulf region, supplying major oil & gas and urban rail network projects.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

Global investment in ERW infrastructure reached approximately $2.3 billion across 2022–2024. China and India contributed $920 million toward 15 million tons of new production capacity, adding 110 ERW lines. North America and Europe invested $810 million to modernize 32 mills with high-frequency welding technologies. North America’s $310 million allocation optimized energy use and weld quality across 20 mills, while Europe targeted pipeline and automotive efficiency. Opportunities exist in renewable energy infrastructure; investments of $380 million in 42 new solar and wind support-tube projects have increased ERW product application by 39%, totaling 7.8 million tons. Greenhill Ventures and Infrastructure Bank Europe committed $240 million to develop modular ERW structures in smart city projects, projected to absorb 2 million tons annually by 2030. In emerging markets, $320 million funded five joint ventures in Africa and South America to boost local manufacturing—three greenfield plants and two brownfield expansions—projected to produce 1.4 million tons of ERW products annually. These projects include US$50 million in water pipeline infrastructure and US$70 million for railway and metro steel tube solutions. Technological investments worth $100 million have driven HFI weld adoption—comprising 72% of global production. AI-based weld monitoring and predictive maintenance systems, funded by $90 million in grants and corporate R&D, improved mill uptime by +11% and reduced scrap by 7% in selected plants. Sustainability-linked bonds worth US$150 million were issued by global steel firms to increase recycled scrap usage to 60%, reducing carbon intensity per ton by +18% compared to 2022. This capital backed eco-innovation programs, including lightweight composite ERW tubes and carbon-accounted supply chains. Financial grants from infrastructure development banks and emerging-market energy utilities have provided $480 million in matched funding for ERW application in utility pipeline installations. Financing remains available through infrastructure bonds and sovereign funding, especially for solar thermal plants and city water projects.

New Product Development

New product development within the Electric Resistance Welded (ERW) steel pipes and tubes market has advanced rapidly between 2022 and 2024, with manufacturers prioritizing performance efficiency, material innovation, sustainability, and application-specific customization. These developments have significantly influenced demand from sectors such as construction, automotive, energy, and infrastructure. In 2023, one of the most notable advancements was the introduction of high-strength ERW steel pipes with tensile strength exceeding 550 MPa and enhanced yield strength, enabling use in large-diameter structural applications. These pipes, widely adopted in large infrastructure and oil transportation projects, have been utilized across over 3,200 kilometers of new pipeline installations globally, particularly in China, India, and Eastern Europe. The upgraded mechanical properties improved overall load-bearing capacity by approximately 20%, enabling thinner wall sections without compromising safety or durability.

Another critical innovation has been the lightweight rectangular ERW tubes tailored for automotive applications, especially in electric vehicles (EVs). In 2024, rectangular tubes sized 50×100 mm were introduced with a new alloy composition that reduced material density by 27%, supporting vehicle weight optimization. These tubes are currently used in structural chassis frameworks of at least 8 newly launched EV models in Germany and South Korea, demonstrating the sector’s shift toward lighter and safer vehicle components. Sustainability also emerged as a dominant theme. Manufacturers developed eco-grade ERW pipes with recycled steel content reaching 80%, helping clients meet regulatory carbon footprint thresholds. These green-certified pipes were deployed in more than 120 public infrastructure projects in North America and Scandinavia. In some cases, the use of recycled ERW pipes helped reduce total emissions associated with material production by up to 38%. Further, the modular ERW piping systems gained traction for renewable energy infrastructure, including solar and wind farms. These modular units, often in lengths of 6 to 12 meters, were fabricated with customized connectors and galvanization to ensure corrosion resistance for 20+ years of field operation. Over 7.8 million tons of modular ERW tubes were shipped globally for solar racking systems in 2023–2024, marking a substantial increase of 39% from the previous year. In industrial settings, stainless steel-clad ERW tubes were launched for use in power plants and chemical facilities. These pipes demonstrated elevated resistance to high temperatures and corrosion, with an average operational lifespan extension of 12 years compared to standard ERW pipes. Over 15 major thermal power plants across the US, Japan, and India adopted this design for condenser and exchanger applications.

Five Recent Developments

Tata Steel commissioned an additional ERW line in 2023, increasing capacity by 1 million tons and improving production by 17% annually.
Welspun Corp launched pre-galvanized ERW tubes with improved corrosion protection—used in 520 km of pipeline applications across the Middle East.
Swastik Pipe began exporting square and rectangular ERW tubes to Europe, shipping 250,000 tons in the first half of 2024.
BAOLAI Steel installed automated real-time weld inspection in 60% of its Chinese plants, achieving product acceptance rates above 98%.
Napsteel completed a joint venture in South America with a new ERW mill capacity of 300,000 tons, serving automotive beverage carrier supply chains.

Report Coverage of ERW Steel Pipes and Tubes Market

This detailed market report captures the global ERW steel pipes and tubes sector from 2022 to 2024, emphasizing a comprehensive analysis of production, demand, segmentation, regional dynamics, investments, innovation, and competitive structures. Based on data from *185 ERW facilities and unit production totaling 67.6 million tons, the study covers consumption by application: construction (27 million tons), oil & gas (37 million tons), and automotive (18.3 million tons). Both size and shape segments (round, square, rectangular) are analyzed in precision, depicting volume shares of 70%, 18%, and 13% respectively. Regional breakdowns highlight Asia‑Pacific’s dominance (40.6 million tons), while North America produced 5.8 million tons tied to infrastructure and pipeline upgrades. Europe’s 13.5 million ton consumption aligns with energy and structural renewables, and Middle East & Africa’s 10.2 million tons anchored by large infrastructure investments. Diameter-based profiles distinguish markets with small (<6 in) and large pipes (>6 in), showing a weight ratio of 65:35. Investment trends examine US$2.3 billion in capital flows, including 110 ASIA‑PAC lines and modernizations in North America, with detailed data on HFI equipment upgrades, AI integration, and recycled steel sourcing. Joint ventures in Africa and South America are profiled, along with renewable energy structuring and sustainability bond financing. Product innovation covers 75 new ERW tubular products, spanning high-strength alloys, flanged connections, EV chassis bars, and stainless claddings. Five recent developments by manufacturers are detailed, including capacity expansions and export milestones. The report includes more than 120 tables and 140 charts depicting production volumes, capacity expansions, segment splits, investment values, and innovation pipelines. Stakeholder insights from 90 interviews of mill managers, pipeline engineers, EV OEMs, and infrastructure planners inform market dynamics. This report supports decision-makers across manufacturers, infrastructure developers, oil & gas pipeline firms, automotive OEMs, regulators, and investors. It offers actionable insights into production optimization, product expansion, format shift, cost controls, and sustainability compliance. It is indispensable for strategic planning in a global ERW pipeline and tubing market positioned for continued growth through 2025 and beyond.