Global Ferroalloys Market Growth Analysis - Market Size, Share, Forecast Trends and Outlook Report (2024-2032)

Global Ferroalloys Market Outlook

The global ferroalloys market size was approximately 49,970.0 KMT in 2023. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 2.1% during 2024-2032 to reach a volume of 60,460.5 KMT by 2032.

Key Takeaways

• More than 80% of ferroalloys produced are primarily deployed in the manufacture of steel.

• In 2020, China produced about 36,000 thousand tons, while South Africa produced about 2,984 thousand tons of ferroalloys.

• The construction sector accounts for about 50% of the total steel consumption. The global construction sector is estimated to witness a 3.9% annual growth rate by 2030.

Ferroalloys are widely used in the production of steel. The inclusion of ferroalloys improves properties such as strength, ductility, and fatigue or corrosion resistance, making it more suitable for structural applications that require high strength and wear resistance.

Steel is a key material in the construction, automotive, and industrial machinery and equipment sectors. According to the World Steel Organisation, about 900 kg of steel is used per vehicle. In 2022, motor vehicle production constituted to about 85.4 million, marking an increase of 5.7% compared to 2021.

The growing infrastructure and construction sector contributes to the demand for steel. About 50% of the steel produced on a global scale is consumed by the building and infrastructure sector. Globally, the construction sector is anticipated to reach USD 14.4 trillion by 2030. Infrastructure development is influenced by factors such as government investments, urbanisation, and technological improvements.

Figure: Major steel-producing countries 2021 and 2020 (MT)

Key Trends and Developments

Technological advancements; growing manufacturing sector; demand from the construction industry; and expansion of the automobile sector are the major trends in the ferroalloys market

Global Ferroalloys Market Trends

The expanding automotive industry, along with the rising demand for machinery drives the demand for steel, one of the leading consumers of ferroalloys. With the global shift towards electric vehicles, there is a rising demand for speciality alloys used in batteries and various components. Heavy machinery requirements, supported by industrialisation in developing economies, are expected to fuel the demand of steel, and, in turn, aid the ferroalloys market expansion.

Research and development efforts to discover and commercialise new ferroalloys with enhanced properties open avenues for market expansion. This involves exploring diverse alloy compositions, production techniques, and material structures to attain targeted characteristics like enhanced strength, corrosion resistance, heat resistance, and conductivity. These innovations play a crucial role in meeting the evolving demands of various sectors. The production of ferroalloys, like ferrotungsten, is reshaping the manufacturing landscape across industries such as defense, aerospace, science and medicine, electronics, automotive, construction, energy, consumer goods, and more.

Market Segmentation

“Global Ferroalloys Market Report and Forecast 2024-2032” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Stainless steel dominates the global ferroalloys market share, supported by its heightened demand from the construction sector, among other industries

The growth of the manufacturing, automotive and infrastructural sectors are key drivers aiding the demand for steel globally. The steel sector is the largest consumer of ferroalloys to enhance their performance and characteristics. While ferrochrome provides corrosion resistance to steel, ferromanganese improves the strength profile and wear and tear resistance of steel. China is the world's largest stainless-steel producer and consumer. Its output rose by 1.64% y-o-y to over 30.6 million tons in 2021, with consumption rising 1.92 % y-o-y to about 26.1 million tons.

Bulk ferroalloys, such as manganese, chrome, and silicon alloys, are widely consumed in the production of steel, including carbon steel. For instance, ferrochrome enhances the hardness and wear resistance of carbon steel.

Rapid industrialisation and urbanisation are leading to an increasing demand for improved infrastructural facilities, driving the demand for welding and welding electrodes. The powdered form of ferroalloys is one of the primary raw materials used in the electrode welding process as they improve the weld quality.

In the aviation sector, superalloys help in the production of robust jet engines with the capability to withstand elevated temperatures and extreme forces experienced by engine components.

Based on product, silicomanganese accounts for a significant share of the global ferroalloys market

The growing adoption of lightweight materials in the automotive sector is contributing to the increased inclusion of silicomanganese in steel.

Noble ferroalloys are of high value and vital inputs to produce special steels. Prominent noble ferro alloys include, ferronickel, ferromolybdenum, ferrotungsten, ferrovanadium, ferrotitanium, ferroaluminum, ferroniobium, and ferroboron.

Meanwhile, ferrosilicon (FeSi) acts as an alloying element to produce steel and iron castings. Premium grade ferrosilicon is consumed for electrical steels that are demanded by the electric vehicle and renewable energy sectors.

Competitive Landscape

The market players are optimising production capacity, economies-of-scale, access to raw materials, and customer services, among others, leveraging advanced technologies and strategic partnerships

Other notable players operating in the global ferroalloys market include LekonGermess Ltd., Glencore Plc., Ferro Alloys Corporation Limited, and Essel Mining & Industries Limited, among others. Manufacturers are upgrading their production capacities and incorporating the latest capabilities to meet the increasing consumer demand.

Global Ferroalloys Market Analysis by Region

The Asia Pacific is the largest market for ferro alloys globally, representing more than half of the global demand. Further, China is the largest market in APAC, contributing to 71.5% of the demand in 2023. China is the world's largest consumer and producer of crude steel as well as the largest ferroalloys producer and consumer.

China is one of the key countries engaged in ferroalloy production. The top ten ferro-alloy-producing provinces in China include Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, Guangxi, Shaanxi, Qinghai, Hunan, Guizhou, Shanxi, Shandong, and Gansu.  As per the China Ferroalloy Industry Association, in the first four months of 2023, China produced 1.168 million tons of ferroalloy products, with the top ten provinces producing 85.55% of the total.

In Europe, the presence of efficient production processes, specific know-how, and high standards support the ferroalloys market growth. In 2020, ferrochromium production in Russia constituted 390,000 tons, ferromanganese - 240,000 tons, ferrosilicon – 830,000 tons, and ferromolybdenum - 4,700 tons.

The Middle East construction sector is dominated by the KSA and UAE with a total pipeline of USD 1.36 billion of projects (currently under development). The infrastructure sector in the region is transforming as a result of several government initiatives.

Key Highlights of the Report

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Ferroalloys Market Report Snapshots

Ferroalloys Market Size

Ferroalloys Market Trends

Ferroalloys Market Regional Analysis

Ferroalloys Companies