Sheet Piling Market

The article provides comprehensive insights into the global sheet piling market for iron and steel shapes and sections, with a focus on consumption, production, imports, and exports. Projections indicate a positive trend in market growth, with an anticipated increase in volume and value over the period from 2022 to 2030. Key highlights include the top consuming countries, production trends, import and export statistics, price fluctuations, and growth rates across different regions. The data offers valuable information for industry professionals and stakeholders looking to understand and navigate the evolving landscape of the sheet piling market worldwide.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for sheet piling, shapes and sections (of iron or steel) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +0.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 12M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $19.6B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Sheet Piling, Shapes And Sections (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, approx. 12M tons of sheet piling, shapes and sections (of iron or steel) were consumed worldwide; growing by 5% against the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 12M tons. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global sheet piling market value totaled $15.7B in 2022, with an increase of 6% 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). Over the period under review, consumption continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $16.1B. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the global market failed to regain momentum.

Consumption By Country

The countries with the highest volumes of consumption in 2022 were China (1.6M tons), the United States (1.2M tons) and Qatar (1M tons), with a combined 33% share of global consumption. Brazil, the Philippines, Japan, Pakistan, Germany, Russia, South Korea, Indonesia, France and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 32%.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Philippines (with a CAGR of +44.0%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($3.1B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was held by the UK ($1.2B). It was followed by China.

In the United States, the sheet piling market remained relatively stable over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: the UK (+7.5% per year) and China (-4.6% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of sheet piling per capita consumption was registered in Qatar (340 kg per person), followed by South Korea (5.4 kg per person), the Philippines (4.7 kg per person) and Germany (4.3 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of sheet piling was estimated at 1.5 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of the sheet piling per capita consumption in Qatar was relatively modest. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: South Korea (+6.4% per year) and the Philippines (+41.9% per year).

Production

World Production of Sheet Piling, Shapes And Sections (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, the amount of sheet piling, shapes and sections (of iron or steel) produced worldwide rose slightly to 12M tons, increasing by 2.5% on the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.0% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the production volume increased by 13% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 12M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, sheet piling production totaled $16.3B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 26%. Over the period under review, global production attained the peak level at $18.2B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production By Country

China (2.5M tons) remains the largest sheet piling producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 21% of total volume. Moreover, sheet piling production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (1.2M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Qatar (1.1M tons), with a 9.6% share.

In China, sheet piling production expanded at an average annual rate of +2.0% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+1.0% per year) and Qatar (-1.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Sheet Piling, Shapes And Sections (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, after three years of decline, there was significant growth in purchases abroad of sheet piling, shapes and sections (of iron or steel), when their volume increased by 9.2% to 2.2M tons. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 with an increase of 15%. Global imports peaked at 2.4M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, sheet piling imports surged to $2.5B in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

In 2022, the Philippines (524K tons), distantly followed by the Netherlands (205K tons), Belgium (131K tons), the United States (109K tons), Germany (108K tons) and the UK (102K tons) were the key importers of sheet piling, shapes and sections (of iron or steel), together making up 55% of total imports. The following importers - Canada (91K tons), Hong Kong SAR (86K tons), Ireland (81K tons), Bangladesh (65K tons), Singapore (52K tons), Denmark (49K tons) and France (40K tons) - together made up 22% of total imports.

The Philippines was also the fastest-growing in terms of the sheet piling, shapes and sections (of iron or steel) imports, with a CAGR of +44.0% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Bangladesh (+42.4%), Ireland (+23.6%), Belgium (+15.7%), the UK (+5.0%), Germany (+4.3%) and Denmark (+3.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. The United States and the Netherlands experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Singapore (-1.3%), France (-2.4%), Hong Kong SAR (-3.5%) and Canada (-7.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. The Philippines (+24 p.p.), Belgium (+4.4 p.p.), Ireland (+3.2 p.p.) and Bangladesh (+2.9 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global imports, while Hong Kong SAR and Canada saw its share reduced by -2.7% and -6.2% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, the largest sheet piling importing markets worldwide were the Philippines ($427M), the Netherlands ($246M) and Germany ($179M), together accounting for 34% of global imports. The UK, the United States, Canada, Belgium, Hong Kong SAR, France, Bangladesh, Denmark, Singapore and Ireland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 36%.

Bangladesh, with a CAGR of +48.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among 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

In 2022, the average sheet piling import price amounted to $1,160 per ton, rising by 12% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 23% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($1,987 per ton), while Ireland ($566 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Canada (+17.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Sheet Piling, Shapes And Sections (Of Iron Or Steel)

In 2022, shipments abroad of sheet piling, shapes and sections (of iron or steel) decreased by -4% to 2.2M tons, falling for the fourth year in a row after three years of growth. Over the period under review, exports recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 18%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at 3.1M tons in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, sheet piling exports expanded remarkably to $2.7B in 2022. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 27% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $2.7B in 2014; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

Exports By Country

China was the major exporting country with an export of about 934K tons, which resulted at 43% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Luxembourg (413K tons), achieving a 19% share of total exports. The following exporters - Qatar (97K tons), the United Arab Emirates (97K tons), Poland (91K tons), the Czech Republic (91K tons), the Netherlands (71K tons), Japan (56K tons) and Germany (34K tons) - together made up 24% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to sheet piling exports from China stood at +16.5%. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+34.6%), the Netherlands (+5.9%), the Czech Republic (+5.8%) and Poland (+4.3%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the United Arab Emirates emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +34.6% from 2012-2022. By contrast, Luxembourg (-3.3%), Japan (-11.4%), Germany (-12.8%) and Qatar (-16.5%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2022, the share of China, the United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic, Poland and the Netherlands increased by +34, +4.2, +1.9, +1.6 and +1.5 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, the largest sheet piling supplying countries worldwide were China ($849M), Luxembourg ($561M) and Poland ($162M), together accounting for 58% of global exports. The United Arab Emirates, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Germany, Qatar and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 20%.

In terms of the main exporting countries, the United Arab Emirates, with a CAGR of +37.7%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, 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 sheet piling export price amounted to $1,242 per ton, with an increase of 18% against the previous year. Overall, export price indicated mild growth from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, sheet piling export price increased by +51.0% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 29%. Over the period under review, the average export prices attained the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($2,162 per ton), while Qatar ($716 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+6.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform