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Dear Members, dear Readers,
A warm welcome to the latest edition of ITAtube Journal, the publication of the ITA, the Inter- national Tube Association.
A January article in another well- known Tube & Pipe publication pointed out that even the most careful analyses and forecasts for the metal and metalworking industries are something of a challenge, especially recently. Any solid, mid- to long-term assess- ment both for supply and demand must reach well beyond oil and gas, if it is to provide insights for the prospects of related indus- tries, including tube and pipe.
On the demand side, global poverty rates have been on the decline for decades, which means bigger markets for most things; i.e. as prosperity spreads, so does the demand for energy. At the same time, however, so-called indus- trialized nations are faced with an entirely new set of problems as they grapple with the need to reduce fossil fuel consumption. On the supply side, OPEC’s grip on these markets is increasingly tenuous. Technology disruptions and key US policy changes have handed an advantage to non-OPEC producers, although it’s too soon to tell just how much these devel- opments will change markets and for how long.
Many companies are increasingly realizing that their long-term growth depends on their ability to competitively serve a new gener- ation of customers in China, and emerging markets in Asia or the Middle East and North Africa.
Trade wars, the weapon of choice of the current US administration,
are currently bene tting domes- tic markets but jeopardize their ability to make inroads elsewhere. It’s a misconception that high tariffs ease trade de cits – on the contrary, escalating use of trade barriers and the prospect of tariff wars affect con dence and dis- courage investment.
These are all factors that make prediction an uncertain business, even though some sectors appear easy to read. It’s almost certain, for example, that the global automotive stainless-steel tube market is likely to expand over the coming decade or so.
That’s why the upcoming 10th International Metallurgical Trade Fair METEC (25-29 June in Düs- seldorf, Germany) sees the most important trends in the “ongoing market development of key tech- nologies, above all in the core areas of additive manufacturing and Industry 4.0.” It also show- cases developments in relation to the “tremendous potential offered by lightweight structures in the automotive industry.”
The international trade fair quartet GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS and NEWCAST is a unique concept and sees itself as a leading platform for meetings and business. Inter- national buyers, users and experts from the metallurgy, heat technol- ogy and foundry industries meet here across the four events.
Also an established feature at the ‘fourfold’ industry meeting for top decision makers – presenting itself as the Bright World of Metals – is the ecoMetals campaign, which was established by Messe Düssel- dorf in 2011 and emphasises envi-
Dr. Gunther Voswinckel President ITA
ronmentally sound operation and production in the sector.
Consolidation and adaptability in a more high-tech environment also formed the focus of the ITA Conference, Trend-setting Tech- nologies and Strategies for Tubes & Pipes, which took place on 10 April, 2019, in Düsseldorf.
Experts and professionals con- vened at Messe Düsseldorf, the international trade fair grounds and home of Tube in Germany, and over the coming weeks the presentations and reviews will be made available to all participants and ITA members on the Associa- tion website.
The ITAtube Journal itself, of course, also offers a platform for the exchange of news and ideas, reviews and industry events; the electronic version can be accessed from the website: www.itatube.org.
We hope you enjoy the read!
Editorial
Greetings from Dr. Gunther Voswinckel President International Tube Association
ITAtube Journal No2/May 2019
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