Steel Merchant and Rebar Market Forecasts to 2030 - Global Analysis By Product Type, Production Process, Application, End User and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Steel Merchant and Rebar Market is accounted for $10 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach $16.4 billion by 2030 growing at a CAGR of 7.4% during the forecast period. A steel merchant is a business entity that deals with the buying, selling, and distribution of steel products. Steel merchants typically source their products from steel mills or manufacturers and then supply them to various industries, including construction, manufacturing, automotive, and infrastructure development. Rebar is a type of steel bar or mesh used in reinforced concrete and masonry structures to provide additional strength and support. Rebar is essential in construction projects where concrete is used to ensure structural integrity and durability, particularly in buildings, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Construction industry growth

As economies expand and urbanization accelerates, there is a heightened demand for infrastructure development, residential construction, and commercial projects. Steel and rebar are fundamental materials in construction, essential for reinforcing concrete structures and providing structural integrity in buildings, bridges, roads, and other infrastructure projects. As such, the construction industry's expansion directly translates to increased demand for steel and rebar, which drives market demand.

Restraint:

Fluctuating raw material prices

Raw materials such as iron ore and scrap metal constitute a substantial portion of the overall production expenses for steel manufacturers and merchants. Sharp increases in raw material prices can squeeze profit margins for steel merchants and rebar producers, as they may struggle to pass on these higher costs to customers in competitive markets. However, the unpredictability of raw material prices also complicates long-term planning and investment decisions within the steel merchant and rebars markets.

Opportunity:

Technological advancements

Technological advancements play a crucial role in shaping the steel merchant and rebar market, primarily by improving manufacturing processes, enhancing product quality, and increasing efficiency. Innovations in steel production techniques, such as the adoption of electric arc furnaces (EAFs), continuous casting, and advanced automation, have revolutionized the industry, leading to higher productivity and reduced production costs. Additionally, technological innovations facilitate the development of specialized steel grades tailored to specific applications, further expanding the market's potential.

Threat:

Competition from alternative materials

Alternative materials, such as composite materials, fiberglass, or advanced polymers, offer properties that compete directly with steel, including comparable strength, lighter weight, and potentially lower costs. The emergences of alternative materials pose a threat to the market share of steel merchants and rebar producers, particularly in sectors where cost-effectiveness and performance are critical considerations. These factors hinder market demand.

Covid-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the steel merchant and rebars market. Lockdown measures and restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus led to widespread disruptions in construction activities, causing a sharp decline in demand for steel products like rebar. Additionally, the pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting the availability of raw materials, transportation, and logistics for steel merchants.

The rebars segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The rebars segment is estimated to hold the largest share. Comprising high-strength steel, rebars are strategically embedded within concrete to enhance its tensile strength, resist cracking, and provide structural stability. They come in various sizes, shapes, and grades, catering to diverse project requirements and structural designs. Overall, rebars are indispensable elements in the construction landscape, playing a pivotal role in reinforcing concrete structures and driving the dynamics of the steel merchant and rebar market.

The construction segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The construction segment is anticipated to have lucrative growth during the forecast period. Steel and rebar play indispensable roles in virtually all construction endeavours, providing structural support, stability, and durability to various structures. Moreover, in residential and commercial construction, they form the backbone of reinforced concrete structures, including foundations, columns, beams, and slabs, offering strength, flexibility, and resilience. Overall, the construction industry acts as a cornerstone of the steel merchant and rebars market, fueling demand and shaping its dynamics through diverse construction applications.

Region with largest share:

North America commanded the largest market share during the extrapolated period. The North American steel merchant and rebar market benefit from a well-established network of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors, ensuring a steady supply chain for steel products across the region. Additionally, the presence of stringent regulatory standards and quality requirements ensures that steel products meet rigorous safety and performance criteria, enhancing confidence among stakeholders in the construction industry.

Region with highest CAGR:

Asia Pacific is expected to witness profitable growth over the projection period, owing to the region's rapid urbanization, industrialization, and infrastructure development. The Asia-Pacific region benefits from a vast manufacturing base, abundant raw material resources, and a large skilled labor force, facilitating the production and distribution of steel products efficiently. Additionally, ongoing industrialization efforts in sectors such as manufacturing, automotive, and shipbuilding contribute to the overall demand for steel in the region.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in the Steel Merchant and Rebar Market include Nippon Steel Corporation, Nucor, EVRAZ U.S., Inc., Steel Dyanamics, Inc., Acerinox S.A., Gerdau S.A., Schnitzer Steel Industries, JFE Steel Corporation, Outokumpu and CMC Steel.

Key Developments:

In October 2023, Nucor announced its plan to construct a new rebar micro-mill with a production capacity of 650 kilotons. The investment in this electric arc furnace mill is subject to approval by its board members. This will be Nucor's fourth micro-mill if approval comes from the board.

In July 2022, Nippon Steel partnered with Anglo American to accelerate the transition to lower carbon steelmaking, building on the premium physical qualities of Anglo American's iron ore to help drive emissions reduction.

Product Types Covered:

• Rebars
• Specialty Steel Products
• Structural Steel
• Merchant Bars

Production Processes Covered:

• Electric Arc Furnace
• Basic Oxygen Furnace
• Continuous Casting

Applications Covered:

• Structural support
• Concrete reinforcement
• Machining
• Fabrication
• Other Applications

End Users Covered:

• Aerospace
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Shipbuilding
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2021, 2022, 2023, 2026, and 2030
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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All the customers of this report will be entitled to receive one of the following free customization options:

• Company Profiling
  • Comprehensive profiling of additional market players (up to 3)
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• Regional Segmentation
  • Market estimations, Forecasts and CAGR of any prominent country as per the client's interest (Note: Depends on feasibility check)
• Competitive Benchmarking
  • Benchmarking of key players based on product portfolio, geographical presence, and strategic alliances