Oct 25, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: United Kingdom – Line Pipe of Steel other than Stainless Steel for Oil or Gas Pipelines – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
The UK market for line pipe of steel (non-stainless) for oil and gas pipelines saw consumption rise to 36K tons in 2024, with a market value of $96M. The market is forecast to grow at a CAGR of +1.6% in volume and +2.3% in value, reaching 43K tons and $123M by 2035. The UK relies heavily on imports, which totaled 44K tons in 2024, primarily from Japan, Germany, and Italy. Domestic production is minimal and declining, standing at only 176 tons in 2024. Exports fell to 8.7K tons, with the United States being the most valuable export destination.
Key Findings
UK market forecast to grow to 43K tons and $123M by 2035Domestic production is minimal and has shown a long-term declineThe UK is heavily import-dependent, with Japan, Germany, and Italy as top suppliersUnited States is the most valuable export destination despite overall export declineAverage import price fell sharply in 2024 while export price remained stable at a premiumMarket Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines in the UK, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.6% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 43K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $123M (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionUnited Kingdom’s Consumption of Line Pipe of Steel other than Stainless Steel for Oil or Gas Pipelines
In 2024, consumption of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines increased by 24% to 36K tons, rising for the third year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, consumption recorded a remarkable increase. Consumption of peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.
The value of the market for line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines in the UK reduced to $96M in 2024, shrinking by -1.7% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, consumption recorded prominent growth. Over the period under review, the market attained the peak level at $97M in 2023, and then fell modestly in the following year.
ProductionUnited Kingdom’s Production of Line Pipe of Steel other than Stainless Steel for Oil or Gas Pipelines
Production of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines in the UK reduced slightly to 176 tons in 2024, declining by -4.8% against 2023. Overall, production showed a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the production volume increased by 11%. Production of peaked at 1.2K tons in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, production of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines rose significantly to $600K in 2024 estimated in export price. In general, production recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the production volume increased by 38% against the previous year. Production of peaked at $2.6M in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, production failed to regain momentum.
ImportsUnited Kingdom’s Imports of Line Pipe of Steel other than Stainless Steel for Oil or Gas Pipelines
In 2024, purchases abroad of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines increased by 14% to 44K tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. In general, imports continue to indicate a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 with an increase of 101% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports of attained the peak figure at 46K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, imports of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines declined markedly to $123M in 2024. Overall, imports posted moderate growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 with an increase of 147%. As a result, imports attained the peak of $150M, and then declined rapidly in the following year.
Imports By Country
Japan (11K tons), Germany (8.6K tons) and Italy (7.3K tons) were the main suppliers of imports of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines to the UK, with a combined 60% share of total imports. China, Brazil, Romania, Spain, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 30%.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Brazil (with a CAGR of +128.7%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($35M), Italy ($27M) and Japan ($23M) appeared to be the largest line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines suppliers to the UK, together comprising 69% of total imports. Brazil, China, Romania, Spain, the Czech Republic and the Netherlands lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.
Among the main suppliers, Brazil, with a CAGR of +115.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the average import price for line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines amounted to $2,786 per ton, falling by -28.1% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when the average import price increased by 63%. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the maximum at $3,877 per ton in 2023, and then reduced sharply in the following year.
There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($4,073 per ton), while the price for China ($1,235 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+6.0%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsUnited Kingdom’s Exports of Line Pipe of Steel other than Stainless Steel for Oil or Gas Pipelines
In 2024, after three years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas shipments of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines, when their volume decreased by -13.2% to 8.7K tons. Overall, exports recorded a abrupt shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2022 when exports increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the exports of hit record highs at 18K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, exports of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines fell to $58M in 2024. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 with an increase of 62% against the previous year. The exports peaked at $107M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Exports By Country
Belgium (1.8K tons), Ireland (1.2K tons) and Saudi Arabia (771 tons) were the main destinations of exports of line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines from the UK, with a combined 44% share of total exports. Kazakhstan, the United States, Singapore, the Netherlands, Spain, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, India, Norway and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Kazakhstan (with a CAGR of +26.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the United States ($14M) remains the key foreign market for line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines exports from the UK, comprising 25% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Belgium ($5.3M), with a 9.2% share of total exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with an 8.6% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to the United States stood at +3.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Belgium (+16.3% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+21.1% per year).
Export Prices By Country
The average export price for line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines stood at $6,633 per ton in 2024, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a slight increase from 2013 to 2024: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.4% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, export price for line pipe of steel other than stainless steel for oil or gas pipelines increased by +40.5% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2023 an increase of 41% against the previous year. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $6,659 per ton, leveling off in the following year.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($29,277 per ton), while the average price for exports to Ireland ($2,220 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Norway (+7.8%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.