Metal Stud-Link Chain Market

The global iron/steel stud-link chain market is expected to see continued growth in consumption and value from 2022 to 2030, with a forecasted CAGR of +3.1% in volume and +5.6% in value. Key countries like China, Japan, and Spain lead in consumption and production. Imports and exports are also analyzed, with China dominating in exports. Price trends show some fluctuations, with the Netherlands being amongst the top exporters with the highest export price in 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for iron/steel stud-link chain worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.1% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 180K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $467M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Iron/Steel Stud-Link Chain

In 2022, consumption of iron/steel stud-link chain decreased by -9% to 141K tons, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption attained the peak volume at 171K tons in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global metal stud-link chain market value reached $303M in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked at $356M in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (28K tons), Japan (20K tons) and Spain (15K tons), with a combined 45% share of global consumption. Sweden, Russia, Chile, Singapore, the Netherlands, Australia, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates, the UK and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by South Korea (with a CAGR of +31.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($41M), Sweden ($40M) and Spain ($39M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 40% share of the global market. Japan, Russia, Australia, the UK, Singapore, Chile, the Netherlands, Indonesia, the United Arab Emirates and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 37%.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +30.7%, saw the highest growth rate of market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of metal stud-link chain per capita consumption in 2022 were Sweden (1,233 kg per 1000 persons), Singapore (963 kg per 1000 persons) and Chile (328 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by South Korea (with a CAGR of +30.7%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Iron/Steel Stud-Link Chain

In 2022, production of iron/steel stud-link chain increased by 0.6% to 210K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, production saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 4.9%. As a result, production attained the peak volume of 221K tons. From 2016 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal stud-link chain production totaled $357M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 10% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $434M. From 2016 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (170K tons) remains the largest metal stud-link chain producing country worldwide, accounting for 81% of total volume. Moreover, metal stud-link chain production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Spain (14K tons), more than tenfold.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+0.1% per year) and Sweden (+0.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Iron/Steel Stud-Link Chain

In 2022, supplies from abroad of iron/steel stud-link chain was finally on the rise to reach 98K tons after two years of decline. In general, imports saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at 124K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal stud-link chain imports soared to $204M in 2022. Overall, total imports indicated a slight expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2017 when imports increased by 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at $257M in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Japan (20K tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (9.3K tons), Russia (7.9K tons), Singapore (7.2K tons), Chile (6.4K tons) and Norway (5.7K tons) represented the main importers of iron/steel stud-link chain, together generating 58% of total imports. The United Arab Emirates (4.2K tons), Indonesia (3.5K tons), South Korea (2.9K tons) and the United States (2.5K tons) took a little share of total imports.

Japan experienced a relatively flat trend pattern with regard to volume of imports of iron/steel stud-link chain. At the same time, Russia (+22.0%), South Korea (+14.2%), the Netherlands (+6.3%), Norway (+5.8%), the United Arab Emirates (+3.7%), Chile (+2.0%) and Singapore (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Russia emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in the world, with a CAGR of +22.0% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Indonesia (-2.8%) and the United States (-3.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. Russia (+6.9 p.p.), the Netherlands (+3.9 p.p.), Norway (+2.3 p.p.) and South Korea (+2.1 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Japan saw its share reduced by -1.8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest metal stud-link chain importing markets worldwide were Japan ($25M), Russia ($17M) and the Netherlands ($16M), together accounting for 28% of global imports.

Russia, with a CAGR of +20.2%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average metal stud-link chain import price stood at $2,077 per ton in 2022, with an increase of 6.6% against the previous year. In general, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when the average import price increased by 12%. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $2,317 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the United States ($2,879 per ton), while Japan ($1,239 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+2.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Iron/Steel Stud-Link Chain

In 2022, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of iron/steel stud-link chain, when their volume increased by 22% to 167K tons. Overall, exports, however, saw a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the maximum at 218K tons in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal stud-link chain exports surged to $331M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The global exports peaked at $426M in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2022, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, finishing at 142K tons, which was approx. 85% of total exports in 2022. The following exporters - Norway (5.1K tons) and the Netherlands (4.9K tons) - each reached a 6% share of total exports.

Exports from China decreased at an average annual rate of -1.1% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Norway (+26.4%) and the Netherlands (+6.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Norway emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +26.4% from 2012-2022. While the share of Norway (+2.8 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($253M) remains the largest metal stud-link chain supplier worldwide, comprising 76% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the Netherlands ($12M), with a 3.7% share of global exports.

In China, metal stud-link chain exports remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the Netherlands (+5.9% per year) and Norway (+25.8% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average metal stud-link chain export price stood at $1,978 per ton in 2022, surging by 5.4% against the previous year. In general, the export price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($2,537 per ton), while China ($1,776 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.6%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform