Fengbao Pipe’s ¥1.2 Billion Project to Start Production in November: World’s Largest‑Diameter Seamless Steel Pipe Line to Land

Walking into the construction site of Fengbao Pipe Industry’s intelligent manufacturing process development and industrialization project for ultra-large, extra-thick, high-strength, high-toughness, corrosion-resistant seamless tubes in the Hongqi Canal Economic and Technological Development Zone, the main steel structure framework of the plant has taken shape. Tower cranes, loaders, and cranes work in coordination, creating an orderly and efficient scene as the project progresses at full speed.

I. Project Overview

With a total investment of RMB 1.2 billion, the project started in March 2025. Its core component is a φ860 hot-rolled seamless steel tube production line, supported by a round billet continuous casting machine project with an additional investment of RMB 200 million. This project represents the world’s largest diameter seamless steel tube engineering undertaking featuring hot-rolled one-step forming combined with online microstructure control. Upon completion, it will fill a domestic gap in large-diameter seamless tube mill capacity and help Fengbao Pipe Industry join the global forefront of the seamless steel tube industry.

Fengbao Pipe Industry is a distinctive manufacturer of special seamless steel tubes in China, with an integrated long-process supply chain advantage. The company has been listed among the Top 500 Private Manufacturing Enterprises in China for over a decade, and has been recognized as a National High-Tech Enterprise, a National Green Factory, and a Manufacturing Head Goose Enterprise of Henan Province. Its annual production and sales volume of special seamless steel tubes and integrally formed axles rank among the top in China.

II. Technological Breakthroughs

During the construction of this project, Fengbao Pipe Industry has achieved a series of key technological breakthroughs. Among them, the domestically pioneered online microstructure control and heat treatment process can precisely control steel tube performance while saving 30% energy compared to conventional processes. The project employs the world’s largest diameter online wall thickness laser measurement system, which monitors production conditions in real time and forms a closed-loop control system, ensuring comprehensive production safety and product quality. Additionally, the company has designed and built the cone-type piercing mill with the largest torque in China, providing strong support for the production of large-diameter, high-alloy products.

Through a series of technological innovations, the hot-rolling process of this project can produce seamless steel tubes with diameters ranging from 377mm to 1130mm and wall thicknesses from 12mm to 180mm. It will become the world’s largest diameter seamless steel tube project featuring hot-rolled one-step forming combined with online microstructure control.

III. Digitalization and Green Manufacturing

This project is centered on digitalization and intelligence, deeply integrating information technology with manufacturing technology to comprehensively revolutionize the production and management model of seamless steel tubes. It strictly implements the most stringent environmental protection and energy efficiency standards, striving to achieve green development. The project adopts a main deformation solution featuring a large cone-type piercing mill, a large precision rolling mill, and a large three-roll sizing mill, enabling flexible implementation of various deformation processes.

The large-diameter thin-wall and extra-thick-wall seamless steel tubes produced can be widely used in high-value-added applications such as deep-earth and offshore oil equipment, engineering machinery tubes, and nuclear power high-pressure boiler tubes, supporting the high-quality development of related industries.

VI. Construction Highlights

The project’s infrastructure construction showcases four major features:

First, the roof of the 70,000+ square meter steel structure plant uses 25-year warranty aluminum-zinc-magnesium-coated steel coils, doubling the service life compared to traditional materials.

Second, the main plant’s A bay features a single span of 42 meters, a rare large-span cross-operation plant structure in China, presenting significant construction challenges.

Third, a total of over 3,600 piles have been installed throughout the plant area, with a total length exceeding 60,000 meters, setting a new record in the company’s history.

Fourth, the roof is equipped with a BIPV distributed photovoltaic system with a total investment of over RMB 30 million. Once completed, it will generate up to 19 million kilowatt-hours of electricity annually, enabling low-carbon green development.

Currently, the foundation work for the main production line equipment inside the plant has entered a critical phase, with the steel structure plant expected to be fully completed by the end of May. The supporting digital and intelligent high-alloy round billet continuous casting machine project, with an investment of RMB 200 million and a cross-section ranging from 400mm to 1000mm, is also under intense preparation.

V. Project Progress and Vision

Fengbao Pipe Industry is committed to the goal of “building a world-renowned, domestically leading full-process seamless steel tube producer and high-end seamless tube R&D base.” The company plans to complete all project construction and put the entire production line into trial operation by the end of November this year. Upon completion, Fengbao Pipe Industry will operate five hot-rolled seamless steel tube production lines with supporting deep-processing facilities, positioning itself among the global leaders in seamless steel tube R&D and manufacturing. The company is dedicated to building a modern enterprise group with strong profitability, robust innovation capabilities, and sustainable competitive power.