ST37 Carbon Steel Pipe Price 2025

ST37 carbon steel pipe remains one of the most cost-effective structural pipe options in 2025: Chinese and other Far-East mills continue to supply the lowest landed prices (FOB/FOB-China ranges commonly between $450–$800 / metric ton for commodity ST37/ERW/black pipe), while mill-grade seamless pipe and finished ASTM/API pipe from Western mills trades at a substantial premium (often $1,000+ / ton and in some product-classes much higher). Price differences reflect product form (ERW vs seamless vs coated), local raw-material cost and energy, freight & trade measures, and certification/inspection needs.

What we mean by “ST37”

ST37 (often written ST 37 or St37-2 in older DIN nomenclature) is a low-carbon structural steel grade originally defined under DIN 17100. In practice today, ST37-type materials are used for general structural pipe and tube where high strength is not required — for scaffolding, water/gas distribution (non-pressure), structural members and many fabrication tasks. The older DIN 17100 family has in many jurisdictions been superseded by EN/European grades (for example S235JR) but the “ST37” label remains common in mill specs and trading descriptions.

Chemical & mechanical fundamentals

Typical limits for DIN ST37-2 / material number 1.0037 (representative ranges used by mills) are:

• Carbon (C) ≤ 0.17%

• Manganese (Mn) ≤ ~1.40%

• Phosphorus (P) ≤ 0.045%

• Sulfur (S) ≤ 0.045%

Mechanical baseline (typical): yield ≈ ~225–315 MPa (depends on subtype and thickness), tensile ~340–510 MPa, elongation >15–25% depending on form and thickness. These properties give good weldability and ductility which is why ST37 (or its modern equivalents) is popular for fabrication.

International equivalents

In modern specs ST37 (DIN 17100) maps closely to S235JR (EN 10025), SS400 (JIS) and roughly to some ASTM grades such as A283 Grade C / A570 for certain commodities. When sourcing internationally, confirm the exact delivery condition (S235JR vs S235JRG2 etc.) because mechanical values, Charpy impact requirements and mill certificates can differ. Use the mill’s EN10204 test certificate to be certain.

Relevant pipe standards & product forms for ST37 pipe

Common pipe/tube standards where ST37 / S235 / S235JR materials appear include:

• DIN 2391 (precision seamless tubes based on ST37 variants) — for precision OD/WT tolerances.

• DIN 1629 / 1626 (older welded/seamless versions) — many suppliers still reference them for ST37 pipe.

• ASTM equivalents (A106/A53 etc.) are widely used in export offers, but note that A106 Grade B is a pressure-grade seamless that normally commands a higher price than commodity ST37 ERW pipe.

When you ask a mill for “ST37 pipe” always clarify: OD, wall thickness (schedule), manufacturing route (ERW, cold-drawn, seamless), length, delivery condition and required certification.

Manufacturing routes that influence price

• ERW (electric resistance welded) / ERW precision — lowest cost for small/medium OD structural pipe; widely produced in China, India and Turkey. Economies of scale make ERW the lowest price product class.

• ERW precision / cold drawn — higher tolerance, slightly higher price.

• Seamless (hot-rolled / cold-drawn) — used where no welded seam is acceptable (pressure service or heavy fabrication). Seamless mills (especially Western mills) charge a large premium.

• LSAW/SSAW/Spiral — used for large diameters; price depends on mill and whether API/NACE qualification is required.

In 2025 the cheapest lane for ST37 tube/pipe is usually ERW from Asia; seamless goods from Western mills are significantly higher.

Why prices diverge in 2025 — the main drivers

We routinely check these factors when quoting or negotiating:

• Raw material (HRC/coil) price — HRC is the feedstock for ERW and welded pipes; spot coil prices in 2025 drove mill offers. European HRC and Chinese HRC diverged through the year.

• Energy & coking coal/gas — mills’ energy cost matters more for thick-walled or seamless production.

• Freight & logistics (ocean freight volatility) — sea freight changes can add $20–$60/ton to FOB terms depending on routes and container availability.

• Certification & testing — ASTM/API/3.2 certificates and third-party inspection add cost and lead time.

• Trade policy and tariffs — anti-dumping duties, export restrictions, or new tariffs raise landed cost sharply for some buyers. (Always check current trade measures on a per-shipment basis.)

• Product specification — small OD, heavy wall, or special coating/lining increases the price per tonne because production yields and processing steps differ.

2025 short market snapshot

Across the first half of 2025 the market displayed:

• Hot-rolled coil and flat product prices that softened in Europe and China, pressuring finished plate/pipe prices downward in spot markets; mills in Europe quoted lower ex-works levels compared with 2024.

• Indian domestic pipe prices remained competitive on a per-kg basis for commodity ERW/MS pipe, but currency swings and export tariffs can change the effective landed cost. A sample India listing in 2025 quoted carbon pipe base prices around ₹72/kg (subject to VAT/GST and ex-works terms).

• Chinese FOB sellers continued to quote low FOB ranges (multiple listings in 2025 showed $450–$800 / ton depending on product form, OD and order size).

• US domestic finished seamless pipe costs were higher than commodity ERW (some market guides in 2025 showed A106/pressure-grade seamless trading well above commodity plate indices).

Key takeaway: if your project tolerates ERW or black welded pipe, sourcing from China/Turkey/India typically offers the lowest raw price; if you require branded Western seamless pipe, expect a premium and account for certification & tariffs.

Global price comparison (representative ranges, 2025)

Note: Prices below are typical indicative ranges for commodity ST37 / general-purpose carbon steel pipe in mid-2025. They depend strongly on OD/W.T, form (ERW vs seamless), quantity and shipping terms. We cite representative market sources for each region.

How to read the table. The left column shows the common sales lane. For a given order you must translate the quoted term (FOB / Ex-works / CFR / CIF) into landed cost using freight, insurance, import duties and inland handling. For example, an FOB-China ERW pipe at $550/t plus freight $75/t and import duty 5% will land very differently than a $1,200/t domestic seamless pipe in the USA.

How we calculate pipe weight and sample pricing

To get from a quoted USD/ton to a price per metre or per piece you need the weight per metre.

Weight formula (practical form we use in quotations):

Weight (kg/m) = 0.02466 × (OD × t − t²)
where OD and t are in millimetres (OD = outside diameter; t = wall thickness).

This comes from the exact cross-sectional area for a hollow cylinder multiplied by steel density (~7,850 kg/m³) and unit conversions. The formula is accurate for normal OD/WT ranges.

Example — 2″ SCH40 (approx OD = 60.3 mm, WT = 3.91 mm):
Weight ≈ 0.02466 × (60.3 × 3.91 − 3.91²)
= 0.02466 × (235.533 − 15.29) = 0.02466 × 220.243 ≈ 5.43 kg/m

If your supplier quotes $600 / ton (metric) for the pipe (i.e., $0.60 / kg):
Price per metre = 5.43 kg/m × $0.60/kg = $3.26 / m (raw material + mill margin; add processing, coating, packing & freight).

Practical tip: Always ask the mill for the exact OD/WT tolerances they will deliver and ask for a weight certificate or calculated weight on the MTC — this avoids downstream invoicing disputes.

Quality assurance & documents we require when buying

When we buy ST37 pipe for projects we insist on:

• EN10204 Mill Test Certificate (2.1/2.2/3.1/3.2 as required). For critical projects ask for 3.1 or 3.2 certificates.

• Chemical & mechanical test report (batch/heat-traceable).

• Dimensional & visual inspection reports (OD, WT, ovality, length).

• Third-party inspection (SGS, BV, Intertek) if buyer requests.

• NDT where needed (UT, PMI, or hydro test for pressure pipes).

• Coating/lining certificate if specified (galvanized, FBE, concrete lining).

Skipping proper certificates is the most common cause of rejections at destination. If a mill’s price seems very low compared with local indices, check whether the quote includes any certificates or only an internal inspection note.

Commercial tips to lower landed cost

We use these tactics successfully:

• Buy common OD/WT and standard lengths to benefit from mill stock — non-standard sizes attract more processing fees.

• Consolidate shipments to reduce freight per ton. Container LCL vs FCL decisions matter.

• Specify minimal acceptable documentation up front — if you don’t need 3.2 certificates you can save. Conversely, if you need them, lock them into the PO.

• Negotiate payment terms and letters of credit to share FX risk; consider partial payment on shipment.

• Ask for packing details (wooden crates, bundling) — poor packing causes local penalties and rework.

• Check for trade measures (anti-dumping) that may apply unexpectedly to your lane — this is increasingly common in 2025.

Environmental & regulatory points

• End customers and projects increasingly require mill declarations of recycled content and the mill’s environmental management certificates (ISO 14001). While these do not dramatically affect commodity price yet, they are increasingly requested in European and institutional procurement.

• Import regulations and local product standards (e.g., CE marking in the EU when structural products are covered) must be checked before placing an order.

FAQs

Q1 — Is ST37 the same as S235JR?
Short answer: Technically ST37 (DIN 17100) is an older German designation; S235JR (EN 10025) is its modern European equivalent in many contexts. They are often treated as equivalent for general structural applications, but confirm the exact mechanical & impact requirements in the contract.

Q2 — Why do Chinese ERW quotes look so much cheaper than US seamless quotes?
Because ERW uses cold-formed coil/strip as feedstock and is high-volume; seamless and specialty API pipes involve different mill processes, higher energy and more process steps. Also domestic US mill pricing often includes higher labor and environmental compliance costs. Don’t compare final price lines without comparing product class, certificates and delivery terms.

Q3 — How should I convert a $/ton quote into $/piece?
Use the weight formula (section 9). Convert quoted USD/ton to USD/kg (divide by 1,000), multiply by the computed kg/m weight and then by length in metres. Add packing, freight and duties to get landed unit price.

Q4 — What inspection certificate should I insist on?
For commodity structural pipe a 2.1 / 2.2 may be sufficient; for project work where traceability matters, ask for EN10204 3.1 (or 3.2 where regulatory third-party endorsement is required). Clarify acceptance criteria for chemical and mechanical test results in the purchase order.

Q5 — How volatile are prices — will a low quote today be safe for a later delivery?
Steel feedstock and freight remain volatile in 2025. Low quotes are generally valid only for short windows or against immediate deposits. For multi-month projects use fixed-price contracts, hedging, or index-linked clauses to share the risk.