European seamless stainless tube producers have filed an unfair trade complaint with the EU Commission about imports from China, Steel Business Briefing learns from industry sources.

The companies are concerned about what they see as under-pricing of stainless pipes for the oil and gas industry. In order to retain their market share, European producers have been forced to decrease prices and profitability, the complainants say. The Chinese overcapacity in these products raises further concerns for the future, they add.

Other producing countries such as India, South Korea and Ukraine have been named in the document and are considered potentially liable to be included in the investigation.

The EU authorities are now expected to launch an investigation that could lead to anti-dumping measures and duties against imports of Chinese seamless stainless pipes. Among the companies producing this material in Europe are Germany's Salzgitter, Spain's Tubacex and Sweden's Sandvik. All companies contacted by SBB refused to give a comment, saying that the complaint was filed by a body representing the totality of the sector.