In 2013, steel tube production by European Union (EU-27) countries decreased by 9.2 percent year on year to 12.16 million mt, according to the Europe Steel Tubes Association (ESTA) data released by the European Steel Association (Eurofer). Of this production, 7.88 million metric tons consisted of welded tubes and 4.28 million metric tons was accounted for by seamless tubes, decreasing by 11 percent and by 5.8 percent respectively, both on year-on-year basis.
Meanwhile, in the first quarter of this year, steel tube production by EU countries increased by 17.9 percent quarter on quarter and by 1.4 percent year on year, amounting to 3.3 million mt, including 2.19 million mt of welded tubes, down 1.2 percent, and 1.11 million mt of seamless tubes, up seven percent, both on year-on-year basis.