Page 3 - ITA Journal 3-2018

A warm welcome to the latest edition of ITAtube Journal.
The most recent forecasts predict that the upward trend in steel and related markets is set to continue, though slower. Global steel demand will grow 1.8 percent this year and 0.7 percent next year, driven by favorable world economic momen- tum, though the market faces risks from rising trade tensions, says the World Steel Association (world- steel).
The demand for pipes remained comparatively low over the past few years due to subdued oil prices. But recently, the pullout of the US from the Iran nuclear deal and threat- ened sanctions by the US against Iranian and Venezuelan oil and gas exports sent oil prices to a four- year high of over US$ 80/barrel.
Meanwhile, overcapacity in many regions of the world is leading to further consolidation in the steel tube industry. While pipe prices continue to climb, more demanding high-tech products are the strategic targets, rather than commodity-grade tubes. In this context, trade fairs and expos are of vital importance beyond their value as a market- ing forum for individual com- panies. They let us share and promote the results that will allow us to move forward as an indus- try and they help us to foster exchange, which drives innovation. As the Messe Düsseldorf press team reported following this year’s Tube fair in Düsseldorf back in April, German companies are ben- e tting from a positive global business climate. The Tube 2018 organizers reported this year’s fair was “bigger than ever” and high levels of professional com- petence once again distinguished
the visitors who came to Düs- seldorf from all over the world. The next Tube Düsseldorf – the ITA equivalent of a home game – is of course in 2020 (March 30-April 3). In the meantime, we are here to keep you updated on a raft of other events for your diaries:
At April 10, 2019, the next ITA con- ference is scheduled to take place under the heading, Trend-setting technologies and strategies for tubes & pipes. Convening in Düs- seldorf, Germany, it will follow the now familiar format with a list of expert speakers and presentations, a tabletop exhibition and plenty of networking opportunities. Just visit https://www.conference. itatube.org for all further details and booking help.
Consolidation and adaptability in a more high-tech environment form the focus of a one-day conclave organized by the International Tube Association India Chapter, in association with Messe Dussel- dorf India, on November 28, 2018 (alongside Messe Dusseldorf India’s Exhibition on Tube, Wire and Met- allurgy, between 27th and 29th November 2018, in Mumbai). The theme is Transformation of Tube and Pipe Manufacturing Adopt- ing Digital Technologies, and it will focus on topics like Industry 4.0, industrial robotics, predictive maintenance, vision systems and similar, as applied to tube and pipe manufacture.
The fourth edition of indometal makes a return on October 17-19, 2018, at the Jakarta International Expo. Jointly organized by Messe Düsseldorf Asia and PT Wahana Kemalaniaga Makmur (WAKENI), the exhibition is driven by the established know-how and cre- dentials of German-based events
Dr. Gunther Voswinckel President ITA
under the Messe Düsseldorf group, and there will be an ITA contingent there for the rst time.
Another premier for the ITA – though a lot closer to home – is the VALVE WORLD EXPO 2018. The world of valve manufacturers and users is meeting in Düssel- dorf again on November 27-29, 2018. This will be the fth time in Düsseldorf that international specialists in valves, valve-related products, actuators, compressors and engineering services as well as publishing companies and software houses gather to showcase techni- cal highlights of their industries.
The details of all of these events and others, with links to the event-related websites, can be found on our must-visit website, https://www.itatube.org – under Events.
In its own modest way, the ITAtube Journal is also a forum for the exchange of news and ideas, and the electronic version can also be accessed from the website. We hope you pro t from this edition and look forward to a fruitful dis- cussion of the many ideas broached within these pages.
Enjoy the read!
Yours sincerely,
Dr. Gunther Voswinckel
Editorial
Greetings from Dr. Gunther Voswinckel President International Tube Association
ITAtube Journal No3/October 2018
3