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There is a straight weld seam on both inside and outside surface of the tube body, so that we call it welded steel tube. The inside weld seam can be removed or not removed, depending on customer's order.
ERW welded steel tube with inside seam removed:
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Calcium pantothenate triggers how the patent litigation market will develop
In 2023, Zhejiang Xinfu Pharmaceutical once again found itself at the center of a patent dispute involving its D-pantothenic acid calcium production process. The company initiated legal action against Shandong Xinfa Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., alleging that their manufacturing methods infringed on Xinfu's patented technology. Although the outcome of the case remains uncertain, the implications for the calcium pantothenate market remain complex and hard to predict.
The controversy has not only sparked interest in the financial markets but also brought renewed attention to the volatile history of this vitamin derivative. In 2007, Xinfu experienced a meteoric rise in stock price, soaring from over 10 yuan to as high as 130 yuan within a year. However, by 2008, the stock plummeted significantly, dropping to just 16.88 yuan (after recapitalization). This dramatic fluctuation was largely tied to the performance of calcium pantothenate, a key raw material for the company.
At the heart of the current dispute is the ongoing legal battle over the production method of D-pantothenic acid calcium. A trial related to this issue is expected to be held in May, with significant consequences for both companies involved. The question remains: how will this lawsuit affect the price and supply of calcium pantothenate?
Looking back, the price of calcium D-pantothenate surged dramatically between 2006 and 2007. Initially priced around 60 RMB/kg, it reached a peak of 170–180 RMB/kg by mid-2007 before settling around 120–130 RMB/kg. During this period, exports of calcium D-pantothenate and its derivatives soared, reaching 6,800 tons in 2007, valued at nearly $100 million. Xinfu, as the largest producer in China, captured nearly 40% of the global market share, with calcium pantothenate accounting for over 90% of its revenue.
Despite competition from Japanese firms like Daiichi Pharmaceutical, BASF, and DSM, Xinfu maintained a cost advantage due to its fermentation-based production method. However, Shandong Xinfa, which also produces via fermentation, has rapidly expanded its output and now holds a 60% domestic market share. This growing competition has intensified the rivalry between the two companies.
In December 2007, Xinfu filed a lawsuit against Shandong Xinfa, claiming infringement on its patented production process. The case went through several legal stages, with Shandong Xinfa appealing to the Zhejiang Higher People’s Court. While no final decision has been made, the potential impact on the market is still unclear.
Some analysts believe that if Shandong Xinfa wins, the resulting price drop could challenge Xinfu’s dominance. However, others argue that market dynamics—such as supply and demand, production costs, and international demand—are more critical in determining prices. Even if Shandong Xinfa is found guilty, it can easily switch to chemical synthesis, which remains profitable.
Currently, the domestic price of calcium D-pantothenate stands around 125 RMB/kg, with Shandong Xinfa offering slightly lower prices. Despite some new entrants, such as Shanghai Xuxing Pharmaceutical Factory, which has resumed production, the market remains relatively stable. Industry forecasts suggest that global demand for calcium D-pantothenate will reach about 21,000 tons in 2023, while domestic production capacity exceeds 13,000 tons. Supply and demand are expected to remain balanced, though uncertainties persist.
While the future of calcium pantothenate remains uncertain, one thing is clear: the market continues to evolve, and only time will reveal its next move.