Metal Link Chain Market

The global metal link chain market is projected to see positive growth from 2022 to 2030, with an anticipated increase in both market volume and value. Consumption of iron or steel articulated link chain is forecasted to rise, driven by factors such as rising demand in key markets like China, the United States, and India. Production, imports, and exports of metal link chain are also analyzed, with key insights provided on the market trends and players. Overall, the market shows potential for growth and expansion in the coming years.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for metal link chain worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.0% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $6.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Iron Or Steel Articulated Link Chain

In 2022, consumption of iron or steel articulated link chain increased by 0.5% to 957K tons for the first time since 2017, thus ending a four-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, showed a pronounced downturn. Global consumption peaked at 1.6M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global metal link chain market revenue amounted to $5.4B in 2022, approximately equating 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). Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a deep contraction. Over the period under review, the global market hit record highs at $9.5B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (226K tons), the United States (141K tons) and India (108K tons), with a combined 50% share of global consumption.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the leading consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of -1.2%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the United States ($1.3B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by China ($580M). It was followed by India.

In the United States, the metal link chain market increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: China (-3.3% per year) and India (-0.9% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of metal link chain per capita consumption in 2022 were Italy (712 kg per 1000 persons), the United States (420 kg per 1000 persons) and Canada (419 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the key consuming countries, was attained by the United States (with a CAGR of -1.8%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Iron Or Steel Articulated Link Chain

In 2022, the amount of iron or steel articulated link chain produced worldwide shrank to 955K tons, stabilizing at the previous year. In general, production recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 0.3% against the previous year. Global production peaked at 1.5M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal link chain production fell slightly to $5B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production showed a abrupt setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 5.7%. Global production peaked at $8.3B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (319K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of metal link chain production, accounting for 33% of total volume. Moreover, metal link chain production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (133K tons), twofold. India (108K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (-1.5% per year) and India (-1.8% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Iron Or Steel Articulated Link Chain

In 2022, supplies from abroad of iron or steel articulated link chain increased by 10% to 182K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2014 when imports increased by 10% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 188K tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal link chain imports rose sharply to $1.1B in 2022. In general, imports, however, continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure at $1.1B in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (22K tons), followed by Brazil (13K tons), Germany (11K tons), Canada (9.1K tons) and Russia (8.8K tons) were the major importers of iron or steel articulated link chain, together creating 35% of total imports. The UK (6.4K tons), Japan (6K tons), Colombia (5.9K tons), Mexico (5.8K tons), Italy (4.9K tons), Thailand (4.6K tons), South Korea (3.9K tons) and France (3.6K tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Russia (with a CAGR of +14.8%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($120M), Mexico ($80M) and Japan ($70M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 24% of global imports. Germany, Canada, Brazil, France, the UK, South Korea, Italy, Thailand, Colombia and Russia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 35%.

France, with a CAGR of +9.1%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, in terms of 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 link chain import price stood at $6,154 per ton in 2022, stabilizing at the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the average import price increased by 11%. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $6,179 per ton, leveling off in the following year.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Mexico ($13,824 per ton), while Russia ($2,503 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Japan (+9.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Iron Or Steel Articulated Link Chain

In 2022, overseas shipments of iron or steel articulated link chain increased by 3.8% to 180K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports recorded a prominent expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 30%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, metal link chain exports expanded markedly to $1B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +5.5% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Exports By Country

China represented the largest exporting country with an export of around 97K tons, which recorded 54% of total exports. Germany (19K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 10% share, followed by the United States (7.4%). France (4.8K tons), Italy (4.8K tons), Canada (3.8K tons), India (3.8K tons), the UK (3.2K tons), Finland (3.1K tons), Japan (3K tons) and Austria (2.7K tons) took a little share of total exports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the iron or steel articulated link chain exports, with a CAGR of +27.3% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, India (+11.9%), Japan (+6.6%), Canada (+6.2%), the UK (+3.6%), Germany (+2.1%), France (+2.0%), the United States (+1.4%), Italy (+1.2%) and Austria (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Finland experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. China (+42 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Austria, Finland, France, Italy, the United States and Germany saw its share reduced by -1.7%, -2.2%, -2.5%, -2.9%, -7.8% and -9.7% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest metal link chain supplying countries worldwide were Germany ($243M), China ($240M) and the United States ($132M), with a combined 60% share of global exports.

China, with a CAGR of +26.8%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average metal link chain export price amounted to $5,717 per ton, rising by 2.3% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the average export price increased by 11%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $8,794 per ton. From 2014 to 2022, the average export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was France ($13,447 per ton), while China ($2,483 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the United States (+4.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform