PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927998
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927998
Metals are materials forming metallic bonds, known for high melting points, density, tensile strength, light reflectivity, malleability, ductility, and excellent electrical and thermal conductivity. They're extensively used in heating, electricity, transportation, and plastics production.
Main types include iron and steel mills, ferroalloy, processed nonferrous metals, processed alumina and aluminum, foundries, and steel products. Processed alumina and aluminum refer to aluminum processed via metal casting. Metal types encompass aluminum, beryllium, bismuth, cadmium, cerium, chromium, cobalt, and others, employed across construction, manufacturing, and various industries.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs on imported metals have disrupted global supply chains, particularly affecting aluminum, steel, and nonferrous metal imports in regions such as north america and europe. This has led to higher raw material costs for construction, automotive, and manufacturing segments. However, tariffs have also incentivized local production, boosted domestic foundries, and promoted investment in advanced metal processing technologies, creating opportunities for regional players.
The metal market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides metal market statistics, including metal industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a metal market share, detailed metal market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the metal industry. This metal market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The metal market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $4234.52 billion in 2025 to $4377.21 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of construction and infrastructure projects, demand from automotive manufacturing, expansion of industrial machinery sector, development of integrated steel mills, increased production of copper and aluminum products.
The metal market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $5196.77 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rise in renewable energy projects, growth in electric vehicle production, adoption of high-performance specialty steels, increasing demand in aerospace and defense, expansion of local metal foundries and casting facilities. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for lightweight and high-strength metals, growth in recycled metal and circular economy initiatives, increased adoption of advanced metal processing technologies, expansion of specialty steel and nonferrous metal products, integration of precision foundry and casting techniques.
The expanding construction industry is anticipated to drive the growth of the metal market in the coming years. The construction sector encompasses the planning, design, development, construction, renovation, and maintenance of physical structures, infrastructure, and built environments. Metals like steel, aluminum, and copper are crucial in constructing buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure due to their strength, durability, and load-bearing capabilities, making them essential structural materials. For example, the US Census Bureau, a government agency, reported that the value of construction operations in the United States increased from $2.05 trillion in August 2023 to $2.13 trillion in August 2024. Thus, the growth of the construction industry is fueling the expansion of the metal market.
Major companies in the metal market are concentrating on developing technologically advanced products, such as low-carbon steel, to enhance sustainability, lower carbon emissions, and address the growing regulatory and consumer demand for eco-friendly products. Carbon steel technology includes the methods and processes used to produce steel with different carbon content, impacting its strength, hardness, and flexibility. For example, in October 2023, U.S. Steel, a US-based steel manufacturer, introduced a new non-grain-oriented (NGO) electrical steel. This specialized type of electrical steel is primarily used in applications where the direction of the magnetic flux changes, such as in electric motors, transformers, and generators.
In July 2024, Cleveland-Cliffs Inc., a U.S.-based integrated steel producer, acquired Stelco Holdings Inc. for approximately USD 2.5 billion (CAD 3.4 billion). Through this acquisition, Cleveland-Cliffs seeks to expand its steel production capacity in North America and strengthen its portfolio of flat-rolled and value-added steel products. Stelco Holdings Inc. is a Canada-based integrated steel manufacturer that produces flat-rolled steel, coated and cold-rolled steels, pig iron, and other steel products.
Major companies operating in the metal market report are ArcelorMittal S.A., POSCO, Nippon Steel Corporation, Baoshan Iron & Steel Co. Ltd., Tata Steel Limited, Nucor Corporation, Hyundai Steel Company, JFE Holdings Inc., Thyssenkrupp AG, Vale S.A., Rio Tinto Group, BHP Group, Glencore plc, Anglo American plc, Alcoa Corporation, Hindalco Industries Limited, Freeport-McMoRan Inc., Jiangxi Copper Company Limited, Southern Copper Corporation, Antofagasta plc, Boliden AB, Vedanta Limited
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the metal market in 2025. Western Europe was the second-largest region in the metal market. The regions covered in the metal market are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the metal market are China, India, Japan, Australia, Indonesia, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan, New Zealand, UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.
The metal market consists of sales of ferrous, non-ferrous, and alloys of metals. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Metal Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses metal market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for metal ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The metal market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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