Global Carbon Steel Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2031

Carbon Steel Market Analysis and Size

Advancements in production methods and technology drive the carbon steel market. Manufacturers are utilizing the latest techniques to enhance quality, efficiency, and sustainability. This surge in innovation is expanding the use of carbon steel across various industries, from construction to automotive. With a focus on continuous improvement, the market is poised for continued expansion and evolution.

The global carbon steel market size was valued at USD 2.10 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.43 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 4.2% during the forecast period 2024 to 2031. In addition to the insights on market scenarios such as market value, growth rate, segmentation, geographical coverage, and major players, the market reports curated by the Data Bridge Market Research also include in-depth expert analysis, geographically represented company-wise production and capacity, network layouts of distributors and partners, detailed and updated price trend analysis and deficit analysis of supply chain and demand.

Report Scope and Market Segmentation

Market Definition

Carbon steel is an alloy composed primarily of iron and carbon, typically containing up to 2.1% carbon by weight. It's renowned for its strength, durability, and affordability. Commonly used in construction, manufacturing, and machinery, carbon steel can be easily formed, welded, and machined into various shapes. Its versatility and reliability make it a staple material in numerous industrial applications.

Carbon Steel Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Growing Demand in Construction Industry

The construction industry's burgeoning demand propels the carbon steel market, owing to its strength, longevity, and economical nature. Essential for residential, commercial, and infrastructure projects, carbon steel finds extensive use in structural frameworks, reinforcing bars, and foundational elements. For instance, the construction of skyscrapers, bridges, and residential complexes heavily relies on carbon steel, driving its demand upward as urbanization and infrastructure development escalate.

• Rising Industrial Machinery and Equipment

The rising demand for industrial machinery and equipment, particularly in sectors such as mining, agriculture, and manufacturing, propels the carbon steel market forward. Carbon steel's exceptional strength and durability make it indispensable for fabricating machinery components subjected to heavy usage. For instance, in the mining industry, carbon steel is extensively utilized in the construction of drill bits, conveyor systems, and crushing equipment, driving sustained demand for carbon steel products.

Opportunities

• Increased Usage in Oil and Gas Industry

The demand for carbon steel products remains robust in the oil and gas industry, where it is indispensable for pipelines, drilling equipment, and storage tanks. As global energy demand surges, particularly in emerging markets, so does the need for reliable infrastructure, propelling the carbon steel market forward. For instance, the expansion of offshore drilling projects in regions such as the Gulf of Mexico and the North Sea reinforces this demand trend.

• Growing Demand in Automotive Sector

The expanding global automotive sector, especially in emerging markets, propels the demand for carbon steel, essential for manufacturing vehicle components such as chassis, body panels, and structural parts. As countries such as India and China witness rapid urbanization and rising middle-class incomes, the automotive industry experiences substantial growth. For instance, in 2023, China's automotive market surged, increasing the demand for carbon steel in manufacturing vehicles, contributing to the market's upward trajectory.

 Restraints/Challenges

• Price Volatility of Raw Materials

Volatility in raw material prices, such as iron ore and coal, critically affects carbon steel production's profit margins, hindering market stability. Fluctuations in carbon steel price disrupt cost predictions, impacting manufacturers' profitability without offering positive alternatives. This instability creates challenges for steel producers to maintain consistent pricing and profitability amid unpredictable raw material costs.

• Competition from Alternative Materials

Competition from alternative materials such as aluminum, composites, and advanced high-strength steels poses a significant challenge to the carbon steel market, especially in industries prioritizing weight reduction and corrosion resistance. This competition hampers market growth by diverting demand away from traditional carbon steel products, necessitating adaptation strategies to remain competitive.

This market report provides details of new recent developments, trade regulations, import-export analysis, production analysis, value chain optimization, market share, impact of domestic and localized market players, analyses opportunities in terms of emerging revenue pockets, changes in market regulations, strategic market growth analysis, market size, category market growths, application niches and dominance, product approvals, product launches, geographic expansions, technological innovations in the market. To gain more info on the market contact Data Bridge Market Research for an Analyst Brief, our team will help you take an informed market decision to achieve market growth.

Impact and Current Market Scenario of Raw Material Shortage and Shipping Delays

Data Bridge Market Research offers a high-level analysis of the market and delivers information by keeping in account the impact and current market environment of raw material shortage and shipping delays. This translates into assessing strategic possibilities, creating effective action plans, and assisting businesses in making important decisions. Apart from the standard report, we also offer in-depth analysis of the procurement level from forecasted shipping delays, distributor mapping by region, commodity analysis, production analysis, price mapping trends, sourcing, category performance analysis, supply chain risk management solutions, advanced benchmarking, and other services for procurement and strategic support.

Expected Impact of Economic Slowdown on the Pricing and Availability of Products

When economic activity slows, industries begin to suffer. The forecasted effects of the economic downturn on the pricing and accessibility of the products are taken into account in the market insight reports and intelligence services provided by DBMR. With this, our clients can typically keep one step ahead of their competitors, project their sales and revenue, and estimate their profit and loss expenditures.

Recent Development

• In 2022, ArcelorMittal launched its flagship Carbon Capture and Utilization (CCU) project at the Ghent, Belgium steel plant, demonstrating commitment to sustainability by reducing carbon emissions
• In 2022, ArcelorMittal and SigmaRoc formed partnered to produce lime, enhancing steel production efficiency and supporting various industrial processes
• In 2021, Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation launched the "NSSMC Beyond 2022" strategy, aiming for global expansion and improved competitiveness in the carbon steel market, driving growth
• In 2020, ArcelorMittal S.A. announced a $500 million investment in a new steel plant in Mexico, reinforcing its North American market presence and expanding its product range for enhanced competitiveness

Carbon Steel Market Scope

The market is segmented on the basis of type, end-user, product, shape, treatment, process, and application. The growth amongst these segments will help you analyse meagre growth segments in the industries and provide the users with a valuable market overview and market insights to help them make strategic decisions for identifying core market applications.

Type

• Low Carbon Steel
• Medium Carbon Steel
• High Carbon Steel
• Ultra-High Carbon Steel

 End-User

• Shipbuilding
• Construction
• Automotive
• Oil and Gas Energy
• Others

 Product

• Carbon Steel
• Alloy Steel
• Stainless Steel

Shape

• Long Steel
• Tabular Steel
• Flat Steel

 Treatment

• Cold Rolled
• Hot Rolled
• Galvanized
• Annealed

 Process

• Basic Oxygen Furnace
• Electric Arc Furnace

 Application

• Tools
• Pipe and Tubes
• Construction Hardware
• Structural

Carbon Steel Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The market is analysed and market size insights and trends are provided by type, end-user, product, shape, treatment, process, and application as referenced above.

The countries covered in the market report are U.S., Canada and Mexico in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America as part of South America.

Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the carbon steel market, buoyed by robust growth in the shipbuilding sector, increasing utilization across construction and automotive industries, and the strong presence of key market players. This trend underscores the region's pivotal role in shaping the global carbon steel landscape.

North America is expected for significant growth in the carbon steel market, driven by robust expansion in construction and increasing utilization across diverse sectors such as aviation and automotive. This trajectory reflects the region's pivotal role in shaping the global carbon steel landscape.

The country section of the report also provides individual market impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impacts the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as down-stream and upstream value chain analysis, technical trends and porter's five forces analysis, case studies are some of the pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, impact of domestic tariffs and trade routes are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.   

Competitive Landscape and Carbon Steel Market Share Analysis

The market competitive landscape provides details by competitor. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in research and development, new market initiatives, global presence, production sites and facilities, production capacities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product width and breadth, application dominance. The above data points provided are only related to the companies' focus related to market.

Some of the major players operating in the market are:

• NACHI-FUJIKOSHI CORP. (Japan)
• Daido Steel Co., Ltd. (Japan)
• voestalpine High Performance Metals GmbH (Austria)
• Sandvik AB (Sweden)
• Kennametal Inc. (U.S.)
• Hudson Tool Steel (U.S.)
• ERASTEEL (France)
• ArcelorMittal (Luxembourg)
• Shandong Baosteel Industry Co., Ltd. (China)
• POSCO (South Korea)
•  NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION (Japan)
• JFE Steel Corporation (Japan)
• Tata Steel (India)
• United States Steel Corporation (U.S.)
• Angang Steel Company Limited (China)
• Gerdau S/A (Brazil)
• Maanshan Iron & Steel Company Limited (China)

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