Argentinian seamless pipe producer Tenaris Siderca could shut down its operations if the country opens its doors to the import market, Paolo Rocca, CEO at the Techint group, said.
The executive has expressed concerns over the possibility of the opening of the Argentinian import market to a gas pipe project to be built in the province of Cordoba.
A local union leader said if doors were opened to the import market there would then be no reasons for keeping Siderca’s plant in the region of Campana.
Historically, Tenaris has been a steel tube provider for projects in Argentina, but the governor of Cordoba, Juan Schiaretti, has been in been in talks with China for the financing of the Troncales gas pipe.
A media report said the project should require 55,000 mt of steel tubing.