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August 2025
The global carbon steel market size was estimated at USD xx billion in 2024 and is predicted to increase from USD xx billion in 2025 to approximately USD xx billion by 2034, expanding at a CAGR of xx% from 2025 to 2034.The growing expansion of the energy sector, increased construction activities, and growing demand across the automotive industry drive the market growth.
Carbon steel is a type of steel formed using carbon, iron, and other elements like silicon, phosphorus, manganese, & sulfur. In carbon steel, iron is the primary component, the content of a carbon content from 0.05% to 2.1%, and other elements present in small amounts. Carbon steel consists of excellent strength, greater hardness, weldability, and greater ductility. The various types of carbon steel include low-carbon steel, medium-carbon steel, and high-carbon steel. The rapid development of various infrastructure projects like transportation networks, buildings, bridges, and highways increases demand for carbon steel.
The growing production of a wide range of automotive components like engine parts, chassis, car bodies, and others increases demand for carbon steel. The growing applications in various industries like construction, manufacturing, consumer goods, energy, automotive, tools & machinery, shipbuilding, and defense & aerospace contribute to the overall market growth.
The growing expansion of the energy sector increases demand for carbon steel for extraction processes and energy infrastructure. The growing energy sector, including renewable energy and oil & gas, increases demand for carbon steel for various applications. The growth in the oil & gas industry increases demand for carbon steel for platforms, pipelines, and drilling equipment.
The increasing offshore and onshore extraction of oil & gas increases demand for carbon steel. The expansion of solar and wind energy is driving demand for carbon steel for transmission towers, wind turbines, and solar panel structures. The focus on the development of efficient power plants increases demand for a wide range of steel components. The demand for the development of energy infrastructures like pipelines is fueling the adoption of carbon steel. The growing energy sector is a key driver for the growth of the carbon steel market.
| Report Attributes | Details |
| Market Size in 2025 | USD |
| Market Size by 2034 | USD |
| Growth rate from 2024 to 2025 | CAGR |
| Base Year of Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2034 |
| Dominant Region | Asia Pacific |
| Segment Covered | By Type, By Product Form, By Process, By Distribution Channel, By Grade, By Region |
| Key Profiled Companies | ArcelorMittal, Nippon Steel Corporation, POSCO, Baosteel Group Corporation, HBIS Group Co., Ltd., Tata Steel, United States Steel Corporation, JFE Steel Corporation, Nucor Corporation, Thyssenkrupp AG, EVRAZ plc, JSW Steel, Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), Gerdau S.A., Severstal, Hyundai Steel, Liberty Steel (GFG Alliance), China Steel Corporation (CSC), Essar Steel (Now AM/NS India), Shougang Group |
The Growing Automotive Industry Unlocks Opportunity for Carbon Steel
The growing automotive industry in various regions increases demand for carbon steel for various purposes. The rise in the manufacturing of vehicles fuels demand for carbon steel for manufacturing various parts of vehicles. The increasing production of various parts of vehicles like engine components, chassis, body panels, and many more increases the demand for carbon steel.
The increasing focus on lowering emissions and improving fuel efficiency of vehicles increases demand for steel like AHSS. The growing innovations in the automotive industry increase demand for carbon steel. The rise in electric vehicles increases the adoption of carbon steel for structural components and battery casing. The growing production of electric and conventional vehicles globally increases the demand for carbon steel. The growing automotive industry creates an opportunity for the carbon steel market.
Source: India Brand Equity Foundation
https://www.ibef.org/industry/india-automobiles
High Production Cost Limits Expansion of Carbon Steel Market
Despite several benefits of carbon steel in various industries, high production cost restricts the market growth. Factors like specific processing techniques, fluctuating raw materials prices, and complex production processes are responsible for the high production cost. Fluctuations in the prices of raw materials like coal, iron ore, and other alloying materials increase the production cost. The complex production processes, like surface treatments, melting & casting, and electric arc furnace, fuel the production cost. The transportation cost of raw materials contributes to the production cost. Geopolitical factors like political instability, tariffs, and trade wars increase the production cost. The high production cost hampers the growth of the market.
Why did Asia Pacific Dominate the Carbon Steel Market?
Asia Pacific dominated the carbon steel market in 2024 with a share of 60%. The rapid urbanization and growing construction activities in the region increase demand for carbon steel. The strong government support for the steel industry and growing focus on domestic production of steel help the market growth. The growing development of infrastructure projects like buildings, highways, and bridges fuels demand for carbon steel. The increasing production of manufactured goods, machinery, and equipment increases demand for carbon steel. The growing expansion of the automotive industry drives the overall growth of the market.
China’s Carbon Steel Market Trends
China is a major contributor to the carbon steel market. The growing manufacturing and construction industry increases demand for carbon steel. The increasing government investment in infrastructure development, like urban development, high-speed rail, and bridges, helps in the market growth. The growing shipbuilding and automotive industries increase the adoption of carbon steel. The presence of key players like Shougang Group, Baosteel, and Hebei Iron & Steel Group, and high production of steel support the overall growth of the market.
Why is the Middle East & Africa the Fastest Growing in the Carbon Steel Market?
The Middle East & Africa are experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The growing construction projects, like infrastructure development, buildings, and transportation networks, increase demand for carbon steel. The rapid growth in the energy sector, especially oil & gas fuel demand for carbon steel, is helping the market growth. The strong government support for the use of steel in industries like energy and construction increases the adoption of carbon steel. The growing expansion of the automotive industry drives the market growth.
What are the Trends of Carbon Steel in South Africa?
South Africa is growing in the market. The growing urban development in cities like Durban, Johannesburg, and Cape Town increases demand for carbon steel. The increasing industrial, residential, and commercial construction helps in the market growth. The growing expansion of the automotive sector and increased vehicle manufacturing fuel demand for carbon steel. The focus on green steel initiatives and rising industrial activities like the production of equipment and machinery supports the overall growth of the market.
Why the Low Carbon Steel Segment Held the Largest Share of the Carbon Steel Market?
The low carbon steel segment led the carbon steel market in 2024 with a share of 55%. The growing production of automotive parts like structural components, body panels, and chassis increases demand for low carbon steel. The increasing production of general-purpose machinery and manufacturing equipment is fueling demand for low carbon steel, helping the market growth. Low Carbon steel is shaped into various forms and is easy to weld. The growing production of consumer goods and rising demand from construction applications like pipelines & many more drives the market growth.
The medium carbon steel segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period. The growing construction activities and infrastructure development increase demand for medium carbon steel for the production of foundational elements, structural components, and reinforcing bars. The rising industrial expansion in sectors like machinery production and manufacturing helps in the market growth. Medium carbon steel has good formability and provides a good balance between ductility & strength. The growing production of automotive parts like crankshafts, chassis, and axles increases demand for medium carbon steel, supporting overall growth of the market.
How Flat Products Segment Dominates the Carbon Steel Market?
The flat products segment dominated the carbon steel market in 2024 with a share of 40%. The growing automotive manufacturing, like structural parts, panels, and chassis, increases demand for flat products. The requirement of building roofing and frameworks in construction activities increases demand for flat products, helping the market growth. The growing demand for plates, hot-rolled coils, and cold-rolled sheets in various industries drives the overall growth of the market.
The pipes and tubes segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The increasing expansion of the oil & gas sector increases demand for pipes and tubes for various applications like transportation, refining, and others. The strong government support for infrastructure development, like energy infrastructure, transportation networks, and water supply systems, increases demand for pipes and tubes, helping the market growth. The growing demand for chemical processing supports the overall growth of the market.
Why did the Basic Oxygen Furnace Segment Hold the Largest Share of the Carbon Steel Market?
The basic oxygen furnace segment led the carbon steel market in 2024 with a share of 65%. The growing demand for the production of a large volume of steel increases demand for basic oxygen furnace. The focus on lower production costs and higher production rates helps in the market growth. Basic oxygen furnace needs less energy and offers high-quality steel. The growing demand from modern steel production drives the overall growth of the market.
The electric arc furnace segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period. The growing consumer demand for green steel increases the adoption of electric arc furnace. The rising utilization of direct reduced iron in steelmaking helps in the market growth. The electric arc furnace reduces greenhouse gas emissions and uses electricity for the production of carbon steel. It consists of greater operational flexibility and is cost-effective. The growing focus on reducing carbon emissions increases the adoption of electric arc furnaces, supporting the overall growth of the market.
Which End User Industry Dominated the Carbon Steel Market?
The construction & infrastructure segment dominated the carbon steel market in 2024 with a share of 35%. The rapid urbanization and growing construction activities increase demand for carbon steel. The government investment in infrastructure development, like bridges, highways, roads, and railways, helps in the market growth. The applications, like reinforcement bars, beams, and columns in construction activities, increase demand for carbon steel. The growing residential and commercial construction drives the overall growth of the market.
The automotive & transportation segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The rapid growth in electric vehicle production and adoption increases demand for carbon steel. The growing manufacturing of vehicles helps in the market growth. The development of automotive systems, like hydraulic, exhaust, cooling, and fuel lines, increases demand for carbon steel. The growing automotive and transportation sector supports the overall growth of the market.
How Direct Sales Segment Held the Largest Share of the Carbon Steel Market?
The direct sales segment led the carbon steel market in 2024 with a share of 60%. The growing demand for high quantities of carbon steel in projects like shipbuilding, infrastructure development, and large-scale construction increases demand for direct shipping. The growing demand for specialized carbon steel products helps the direct sales market. The growing focus on collaboration between end-users and producers increases demand for direct sales. The rise in e-commerce and focus on streamlining the procurement process drive the market growth.
The distributors & stockists segment is the fastest growing in the market during the forecast period. The growing demand for carbon steel in various industries increases purchases from distributors and stockists. The growing demand for customization of carbon steel, like value-added services, cutting, and fabrication, helps in the market growth. Distributors and stockists provide a variety of products in diverse shapes, grades, and sizes. They manage inventory levels and reduce procurement costs. The growing demand for the timely delivery of materials in manufacturing facilities and construction sites increases purchases from distributors and stockists, supporting the overall market growth.
How AISI 1005-1020 Series Segment Dominates the Carbon Steel Market?
The AISI 1005-1020 series segment dominated the carbon steel market in 2024 with a share of 60%. The growing demand from a wide range of applications like construction, automotive parts, and machine components helps the market growth. AISI 1005-1020 has excellent machinability and creates complex parts. These types have good welding capabilities and easily formed in various shapes. It is cost-effective and easily available from various suppliers, which supports the overall growth of the market.
The ASTM A36, S355JR segment is experiencing the fastest growth in the market during the forecast period. The growing demand for materials to sustain in extreme temperatures, heavy loads, and pressures increases the adoption of ASTM A36. It consists of excellent weldability and provides a good balance of cost & strength. S355JR provides high yield strength and is easily weldable. S355JR offers a good balance of properties and offers good impact resistance. The growing demand across various applications like manufacturing, construction, and automotive drives the overall growth of the market.
By Type
By Product Form
By Process
By End-Use Industry
By Distribution Channel
By Grade
By Region
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August 2025
August 2025
August 2025
August 2025
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