Metal Link Chain Parts Market

The metal link chain parts market is forecasted to decrease in both volume and value over the next eight years, with consumption and production showing a decline. Key countries like China, the United States, and India lead the market in terms of consumption and production. Import and export trends have fluctuated, with China, the United States, Germany, and South Korea showing notable growth rates. Overall, the global market for metal link chain parts is facing challenges with shrinking demand and downward consumption trends.

Market Forecast

Depressed by shrinking demand for metal link chain parts worldwide, the market is expected to continue its downward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. The performance of the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -3.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to depress the market volume to 123K tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to contract with an anticipated CAGR of -2.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $682M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Iron Or Steel Parts Of Articulated Link Chain

In 2022, consumption of iron or steel parts of articulated link chain increased by 9.7% to 159K tons, rising for the second consecutive year after six years of decline. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a perceptible decline. Global consumption peaked at 251K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The global metal link chain parts market revenue expanded remarkably to $822M in 2022, picking up by 11% against 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). In general, consumption, however, saw a noticeable slump. Over the period under review, the global market reached the peak level at $1.4B in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, consumption failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (34K tons), the United States (22K tons) and India (14K tons), with a combined 44% share of global consumption. Mexico, Pakistan, Russia, Japan, Germany, Brazil, Malaysia, the UK, Ethiopia and Canada lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 29%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +3.3%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the consumption figures.

In value terms, the largest metal link chain parts markets worldwide were the United States ($109M), China ($95M) and India ($68M), together accounting for 33% of the global market. Mexico, the UK, Germany, Brazil, Japan, Pakistan, Russia, Canada, Malaysia and Ethiopia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 28%.

In terms of the main consuming countries, Mexico, with a CAGR of +3.5%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the market figures.

The countries with the highest levels of metal link chain parts per capita consumption in 2022 were Malaysia (115 kg per 1000 persons), Canada (76 kg per 1000 persons) and Mexico (74 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +2.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced a decline in the per capita consumption figures.

Production

World Production of Iron Or Steel Parts Of Articulated Link Chain

In 2022, production of iron or steel parts of articulated link chain increased by 4.2% to 159K tons, rising for the second year in a row after six years of decline. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a perceptible downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 11%. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 242K tons in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, metal link chain parts production dropped to $814M in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a deep contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 13%. Global production peaked at $1.6B in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

China (81K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of metal link chain parts production, accounting for 51% of total volume. Moreover, metal link chain parts production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (12K tons), sevenfold. The United States (9K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 5.6% share.

In China, metal link chain parts production increased at an average annual rate of +4.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (-3.7% per year) and the United States (-8.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Iron Or Steel Parts Of Articulated Link Chain

For the third year in a row, the global market recorded growth in overseas purchases of iron or steel parts of articulated link chain, which increased by 11% to 87K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, total imports indicated strong growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +23.4% against 2018 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 19%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, metal link chain parts imports amounted to $497M in 2022. In general, total imports indicated a noticeable increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports increased by +38.2% against 2020 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 28%. Over the period under review, global imports reached the peak figure in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the United States (18K tons), distantly followed by Mexico (9.9K tons), Germany (5.3K tons), China (5K tons), Malaysia (4.6K tons), Thailand (4.5K tons) and Japan (4.2K tons) were the largest importers of iron or steel parts of articulated link chain, together committing 59% of total imports. Canada (3.3K tons), South Korea (2.7K tons), Pakistan (2.5K tons), France (2.3K tons), India (2.3K tons) and Romania (1.8K tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Pakistan (with a CAGR of +44.3%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($90M), Mexico ($48M) and Germany ($35M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 35% share of global imports. China, Thailand, Japan, France, Canada, Romania, South Korea, Malaysia, India and Pakistan lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 35%.

In terms of the main importing countries, Pakistan, with a CAGR of +46.6%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, 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 parts import price stood at $5,747 per ton in 2022, falling by -3% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 7.5% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $6,170 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2022, import prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Romania ($8,995 per ton), while Malaysia ($2,533 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+5.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Iron Or Steel Parts Of Articulated Link Chain

In 2022, the amount of iron or steel parts of articulated link chain exported worldwide amounted to 87K tons, remaining stable against the year before. Overall, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 37% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, metal link chain parts exports amounted to $467M in 2022. In general, total exports indicated a resilient expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +77.0% against 2015 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 36% against the previous year. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, accounting for 52K tons, which was near 59% of total exports in 2022. Japan (6.1K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 7% share, followed by the United States (5.9%), Germany (5.8%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (4.9%). Thailand (2.3K tons) and South Korea (2K tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to metal link chain parts exports from China stood at +12.3%. At the same time, South Korea (+16.6%), Germany (+16.3%), Taiwan (Chinese) (+8.7%), Thailand (+6.4%), the United States (+5.3%) and Japan (+2.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Korea emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +16.6% from 2012-2022. While the share of China (+14 p.p.) and Germany (+2.7 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the global exports from 2012-2022, the share of the United States (-2.6 p.p.) and Japan (-6.8 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($143M), Japan ($74M) and Germany ($65M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 60% share of global exports. The United States, Taiwan (Chinese), Thailand and South Korea lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 17%.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +13.6%, recorded the highest growth rate of 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 parts export price amounted to $5,346 per ton, remaining constant against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 an increase of 0.3% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $6,706 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($12,853 per ton), while China ($2,773 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 (+3.1%), while the other global leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform