Welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes and hollow profiles market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for welded stainless steel tubes and pipes experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Market volume in physical terms rose from 46 003 t in 2018 to 49 910 t in 2019, then contracted to 40 871 t in 2020 and further to 38 101 t by 2023. In value terms, however, the market recovered to $147.8 million in 2023 after a dip to $134.1 million in 2020, approaching the $151.9 million level seen in 2019. Domestic production followed a similar pattern, dropping in 2019 before gradually increasing, while imports peaked in 2019 before declining and exports showed steady growth from 2021 onward.

Regulatory updates played a key role in shaping the market environment in recent years. In 2023, Royal Decree 145/2023 introduced conformity certifications to replace previous product homologation figures, streamlining the approval process for welded steel tubes. Simultaneously, Royal Decree 569/2023 established professional certificates for MIG/MAG and tubular wire welding, directly raising skill and quality standards in stainless steel welding operations. The following year, the new technical standard UNE-EN 10305-3:2024 set precise conditions for cold-calibrated welded tubes, further tightening manufacturing and quality requirements. These regulatory steps coincided with broader global trends, such as rising infrastructure demand and urbanization, which supported sustained interest in high-quality stainless steel tubing within Spain.

Production welded circular stainless pipes in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Spain's production of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles reached a value of 65 745 thousand US dollars, marking a 1.3% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 2.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 75 783 thousand US dollars, which represented an 18.6% increase. However, production saw its largest decline in 2019, dropping by 14.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Spain produced 19 978 tonnes of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles, a 9.0% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production expanded by 11.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.6%. The peak was in 2018 at 21 131 tonnes, reflecting a 17.5% increase. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 13.3% decrease.

Annual dynamics of production in Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports welded circular stainless pipes from Spain

Exports in kind, t

Exports of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles from Spain fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, export volume totaled 8 969 tonnes, a slight decline of 0.7% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 8%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 2.7%. The highest volume was in 2018 at 11 874 tonnes, which saw a 21.8% increase. The largest decline was in 2019, with a 23.9% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Portugal, Germany, and the United Kingdom were key buyers of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles from Spain, accounting for 18.5%, 14.5%, and 10.1% of exports in kind, respectively. However, their combined share was only 43.2% of total exports in kind, with the remaining 56.8% spread across numerous other trading partners.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Export shipments of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles from Spain declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 36.1 million US dollars, a 6.9% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 3%, translating to an annualized rate of 1.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 47.1 million US dollars, which represented a 26.7% increase. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 17.7% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that exports in value terms of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles from Spain were not heavily concentrated on a few key destinations. Portugal, Germany, and France accounted for 21.7%, 10.0%, and 9.7% of exports in value terms, respectively, but together they made up only 41.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Spain in value, 2017-2020

Imports welded circular stainless pipes to Spain

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Spain imported 29 862 tonnes of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles, a sharp decrease of 26.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 20%, with an average annual decline rate of 7.2%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 40 620 tonnes, which saw a 10.5% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) were consistently the main sources for imports in kind of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles into Spain. Italy accounted for 63.9% of imports in kind, Germany for 15.0%, and Asia for 10.7%, together making up 89.5% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's import value for welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles totaled 104.5 million US dollars, a 17.0% decrease relative to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, imports declined by 18.4%, with an average annual rate of 6.5%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 3.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

During 2017 to 2020, Italy, Germany, and Asia (not elsewhere specified) were the principal sources for imports in value terms of welded circular-section stainless steel tubes, pipes, and hollow profiles into Spain. Italy represented 57.8% of imports in value terms, Germany 16.1%, and Asia 8.5%, jointly accounting for 82.4% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Spain in value, 2017-2020