Nickel and stainless steel futures fell recently. LME nickel closed down. The stainless futures contract 2601 also dropped. This points to a weak market.

Poor demand is increasing pressure on mills. A new week begins with falling prices for stainless steel pipe fabricators.

Tsingshan Slashes Prices by 200 Yuan

This morning, Tsingshan Group led a price cut.

304 Cold Rolled coils fell by 200 yuan. The new price guide is 12,400-12,500 yuan/ton base.

304 Hot Rolled coils also fell by 200 yuan. The new price from Tsingshan is 12,100 yuan/ton.

A large volume of material was released. This includes supplies scheduled for December. Thus, This move pressures the entire stainless steel supply chain.

201 Market Sees Deeper Cuts and Panic

By 11 AM, the 201 market fell further.

201 Hot Rolled prices were 200 yuan below the official price.

201 Cold Rolled prices fell without an official quote. J2 material was seen at 7,050 yuan/ton. J5 material dropped below 6,950 yuan/ton.

Major suppliers could not support the price. Therefore, “The 201 market is in a panic,” a stainless steel dealer said. They hope the 304 market stabilizes soon.

Another Major Mill Joins the Price Cut

Around 11:50 AM, Xiangshui Delong cut its 304 cold rolled price. The new price is 12,300 yuan/ton for November. This is a 200 yuan drop. An extra rebate was also offered.

Implications for Stainless Steel Pipe Fabricators

These rapid price drops create a complex sourcing environment. For stainless steel pipe fabricators, lower material costs can be beneficial. However, such volatility makes cost forecasting difficult. It can signal weak end-user demand for finished products.

VertexFlowtubes As reliable stainless steel pipe fabricators, we navigate these market shifts. We ensure stable supply and clear cost projections for our clients. This helps them manage their projects effectively.