Tubes and pipes
Copper or stainless steel in heat exchangers? CSM TUBE opens the discussion at Chillventa 2026
Can stainless steel really replace copper in heat exchangers? That is the question at the heart of the talk CSM TUBE will give at Chillventa 2026, the world's leading trade show for refrigeration, air conditioning, ventilation, and heat pump technologies, taking place from October 13 to 15 in Nuremberg.
The presentation titled “Stainless Steel Tubes for Heat Exchange Applications: A Sustainable and Reliable Alternative to Copper” will be delivered by Giosuè Tormena, Plant Manager at CSM TUBE, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, from 12:00 p.m. to 12:20 p.m. at the Chillventa Specialist Forum, Hall 8, Booth 8-512. The session will be opened by Oliver Degen, CEO of CSM TUBE DEUTSCHLAND.
The presentation will provide an opportunity to explore a topic of particular current interest for the industry: the possibility of using stainless steel tubes instead of copper in heat exchangers.
Stainless steel tubes vs. copper tubes in heat exchangers: factors to consider
In shell-and-tube heat exchangers, the tubes separate the fluids involved in the process and provide the surface through which heat transfer takes place. The material used to manufacture them therefore affects properties such as thermal conductivity, corrosion resistance, and mechanical strength under the pressure and temperature conditions expected in service.
For decades, copper has been the benchmark material for heat exchanger tubes, thanks to its thermal conductivity and its well-established use in the industry. According to CSM TUBE, however, current market conditions are introducing new factors to consider. Against this backdrop, the company sees stainless steel as a viable and competitive alternative to copper and, in several respects, as a more robust choice in the long run.
The presentation will focus specifically on four aspects:
- Macroeconomic factors and price stability: raw material availability, price volatility, and increasing pressure on supply chains are among the factors that will be examined. In this context, CSM TUBE will present stainless steel as an alternative offering more predictable availability and pricing than copper.
- Mechanical and technological properties: the comparison will examine the characteristics of stainless steel, with particular reference to the durability and corrosion resistance of tubes used in heat exchange applications.
- Hygiene standards and environmental sustainability: the presentation will also explore the hygiene standards associated with stainless steel and the role of material choice in relation to environmental sustainability goals.
- Reduced maintenance costs: among the factors that may lead a heat exchanger manufacturer to consider using stainless steel, CSM TUBE will also address maintenance-related costs.
CSM TUBE looks forward to seeing you at Chillventa 2026
With more than 40 years of experience in the stainless steel tube industry and the support of an international group with seven locations worldwide, CSM TUBE continues its growth through ongoing investments in technology and innovation. Among its most recent developments, new automation systems make it possible to carry out high-temperature product testing in half the time, reducing manual intervention while ensuring greater efficiency and reliability in control processes.
At Chillventa, the team will be at Hall 1, Booth 1-516 to meet customers and industry professionals and discuss the company's heat exchange solutions in greater detail. For further information, please visit the products section of the online stand or contact CSM TUBE using the contact details provided on this page.
