Global demand for 13 percent CR seamless steel tube has been on the rise this year and as a result, the price has increased to over US$6, 000/ton during the first half of this year. That is an increase of over US$1, 000/ton compared to last year’s price. Because there are not many suppliers of high-grade oil tubes and 13 percent CR seamless steel tube in particular, JFE Steel, NKK, V&M and Sumitomo Metal are some of the only suppliers of this grade of pipe. The price has also been pushed up by the increase in raw material costs. In a bid to try and meet the rising demand mills are planning to increase their output. JFE will push their annual capacity to 130, 000 tons while NKK will increase their output to 40, 000 tons while Sumitomo’s output will be increased to 100, 000 tons. (Sep. 14)