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

Steel Grating Market Overview

Steel gratings are widely utilised in industrial applications to construct platforms, stair treads, drainage covers, walkways, and trench coverings. They are employed in flooring applications due to their high load-bearing capacity. These gratings are not only slip-resistant, but they are also simple to install and maintain. They are also widely used in the construction and building industries. Platform steel gratings are a new type of building material that is largely utilised in the construction of boilers and power plants, as well as the shipbuilding, chemical, and petrochemical sectors, boosting the growth of the steel grating market.

Apart from that, they are used in the production of vehicle parts, as well as stair treads and handrails as they require little maintenance. As a result, the widespread use of steel grating in industries, such as construction, vehicles, and oil and gas is gaining a positive trajectory.

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Steel Grating Market Trends

The Impact of Environmental and Regulatory Standards

Environmental pollution has become a global concern in recent years with the rising amount of regulations and standards aimed at reducing the carbon footprint of several end-use sectors such as industrial, oil and gas, and wastewater treatment, among others, which eventually fuels the steel grating market value. The steel sector amounts to around 7 to 11% of the global carbon emissions and the market players in this sector are under pressure to align with the net-zero targets by 2050, by the adoption of carbon capture technologies.

Furthermore, the free allowance for carbon emissions is expected to be gradually phased out by 2034 as per the EU's Emissions Trading System (ETS), which encourages steel producers and providers to adopt clean technology and transition towards low-emission processes in the manufacture of steel gratings.

Technological Advancements in Steel Grating

The rapid deployment of automation and AI is a prominent trend of steel grating market. There has been an increased reliance on automated cutting and welding to improve the production efficiency of steel grating. On the other hand, robotics and AI are dealing with quality control and allowing the manufacturers to meet the growing demand of the clients.

There has been an increase in the usage of electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and hydrogen-based direct reduction processes which can reduce the overall carbon footprint caused by the steel manufacturing sector. Moreover, Tata Steel has leveraged the use of several lakhs of sensors in its five Indian plants as well as invested in the cloud to offer consolidated operations and improve production efficiency.

Industry News

April 2023

Johnson Controls, a prominent leader in the construction of sustainable buildings in steel grating industry, collaborated with Nucor Corporation, a steel provider and recycler in North America, to announce a program for recycling steel.

September 2021

The original steel grating from the famous Mackinac Bridge deck was put on sale with a starting bid of USD 20. The pieces for sale were around 5.5 feet wide, 38 feet long and 5 inches deep and attracted the attention of the vintage collectors and steel market players.

Steel Grating Market Growth

Rising Demand for Customised Steel Grating

The demand for customised steel grating has been growing in recent years as customisation can be extremely useful in the oil and gas, marine, and industrial sectors, which can benefit greatly from the tailored solutions as these end-use sectors require unique load-bearing capabilities and safety regulations. For example, heavy-duty bar grating is readily used for high-traffic areas due to its superior durability and safety features which makes it preferable over others and contributes to the steel grating market revenue.

Companies like IKG are offering custom steel grating solutions such as pressure-locked grating, welded, and swage-locked, among others, which can meet the unique requirements of architectural, industrial, and transportation sectors. For instance, MEBAC®, a slip-resistant surface can be used for areas which have high exposure to liquid or heavy traffic.

Steel Grating Market Opportunities

Opportunities for Corrosion Resistant Steel Grating

Corrosion resistance remains a critical concern in end-use sectors such as wastewater treatment, coastal infrastructure, and oil and gas, among others. This has led to an increased development of bio-based resin coatings and innovations in stainless steel grating which can ensure longevity of steel grating in these harsh environments.

The food processing sector in India is expected to reach around USD 1,274 billion in 2027 with similar trends expected in other countries, offering lucrative steel grating market opportunities. Stainless steel grating is finding growing applications in the food and beverage sector as it offers resistance to corrosion from food acids. Additionally, duplex stainless steel is finding usage in offshore platforms and chemical plants due to its superior strength and corrosion resistance.

Market Dynamics

Green building certifications such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) are fuelling the demand for sustainable materials such as stainless-steel grating, which offers superior recyclability and durability that can align with the broader sustainability goals across the world that aim to reduce environmental pollution. ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) is readily implemented in infrastructural projects such as bridges and walkways and ensures that the entire lifecycle of the product aligns with the environmental regulations.

As per the steel grating market dynamics and trends, the demand for steel grating has grown in the Asia Pacific with the rising development of smart cities in countries such as China and India where corrosion-resistant steel grating is used for transportation systems and walkways.

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Steel Grating Industry Segmentations

Steel grating is a regular formed collection of comparable, elongated, and parallel components that are arranged in a regular pattern. It is usually made up of a single set of extended parts. It can, however, contain two sets, with the second set usually aligned vertically with the first. The vertical arrangement of these two groups is known as a grid or mesh.

The major product types of steel grating are:

• Stainless Steel Grating
• Carbon Steel Grating
• Aluminium Steel Grating

The major surface types of steel grating are:

• Plain Steel Grating
• Serrated Steel Grating

The market, on the basis of fabrication, is segmented into:

• Welded Steel Grating
• Swage Steel Grating
• Press Locked Grating
• Riveted Grating
• Close Mesh Steel Grating
• Others

The market can be broadly categorised on the basis of its applications into:

• Stair Tread
• Walkways
• Platforms
• Security Fence
• Drainage Covers
• Trench Covers
• Others

On the basis of end uses the industry breakups into:

• Food Processing 
• Pharmaceuticals
• Cement
• Steel
• Chemical
• Paper Making
• Oil and Gas
• Electric Power
• Mining
• Marine
• Wastewater Management
• Civil Engineering
• Others

The regional markets for steel grating can be divided into North America, Europe, the Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

Steel Grating Market Share

By Product Type

Carbon steel grating accounts for a major market share owing to its cost-effective and durable nature. Its widespread usage in the construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, and transportation sectors, among others, for the construction of platforms, walkways, and stair treads is also expected to aid the segment's growth as well as steel grating demand.

By Surface Type

Plain steel grating is expected to witness significant growth in the forecast period owing to its widespread use in the industrial, commercial, and infrastructure, for the construction of platforms and walkways, among others. Its superior strength and load-bearing capacity boost its demand in the platform where heavy loads can be placed such as in shipping docks.

By Fabrication

Steel grating technology covers a wide range of factors, including steel grating loads, material, and surface treatment. Steel grating has a great load-carrying capacity due to its robust and firm structure. The swage-locked and press-locked gratings, in particular, can provide good lateral rigidity to the steel grating. The heavy-duty steel grating can be used not only for pedestrians but also for heavy-duty vehicles to pass through safely. As machinery used for the production of steel grating is forward-moving, steel grating is used more extensively.

The emission of carbon during the production of steel grating and the rise in demand for substitute goods may hinder the steel grating demand growth of steel grating over the forecast period.

By Application

Walkways hold the highest share in the market as they find widespread use in power plants, chemical plants, refineries, and factories, among other areas, which creates lucrative opportunities for durable steel gratings. Steel grating walkways also find rising use in bridges and parks due to their superior strength and wight-bearing capacity.

By End Use

The oil and gas sector constitutes a major steel grating market share as oil and gas refineries require heavy-duty and corrosion-resistant gratings for on-shore and off-shore platforms. The steel gratings are also widely used in refineries and processing plants for flooring and stair treads to ensure slip-resistant and durable walkways.

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Steel Grating Market Regional Insights

North America Steel Grating Market Trends

The rising investment in the upgradation of ageing infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public areas is boosting the demand for steel grates and aiding the growth of the steel grating industry. End-use sectors such as oil and gas, manufacturing, and energy, among others, are readily using steel grating for the construction of platforms and stair treads.

The Biden administration passed a USD 1.2 trillion infrastructure bill in 2021 aimed at modernising transportation networks and energy infrastructure. This contributes to the demand for steel grating which is used in public works and energy projects. Moreover, as per the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), steel production in the United States witnessed an increase of 6% in 2022.

Europe Steel Grating Market Drivers

The European region is also expected to gain significant growth in the market in the coming years as the region is readily transitioning towards renewable energy sources with increased construction of offshore wind and solar farms, which eventually impacts the steel grating demand forecast.

The European Green Deal aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050 with rising investments in offshore wind farms and solar projects that require durable steel grating solutions. Additionally, in 2023, the Dogger Bank Wind Farm off the coast of the UK was expected to become the largest offshore wind project in the world, which further required a large amount of steel grating solutions for turbine platforms.

Asia Pacific Steel Grating Market Opportunities

The APAC region is expected to gain substantial growth in the market due to rapid urbanisation in countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asia. There has been a growing investment in renewable energy sources in countries such as China, Japan, and India, which boosts the steel grating market expansion. As per the data from the World Steel Association, steel production in the region witnessed a growth of 7% in 2022.

The Smart Cities initiative by the Indian government aims to enhance the urban infrastructure through the construction of around 500 kilometres of underground drainage and platforms which are constructed by steel grating.

Middle East and Africa Steel Grating Market Analysis

As per the steel grating industry analysis, major countries such as Argentina, Brazil, and Mexico are greatly contributing to the regional market share by investments in infrastructure projects such as highways, and bridges, which depend on steel grating for drainage covers and platforms. For instance, the Brazilian government allocated USD 20 billion for modernisation of infrastructure in 2023. These modernisation efforts include the upgradation of drainage systems and transportation networks, which heavily rely on steel grating.

Additionally, the renewable energy capacity of Argentina reached 12.6 GW with the introduction of new solar and wind projects, offering lucrative market growth opportunities.

Latin America Steel Grating Market Trends

Growing investments in renewable energy projects as well as infrastructural expansion are some of the major factors boosting the demand of steel grating market in the region. The construction and expansion of roads, highways, and bridges, among others, rely on steel grating for platforms, walkways, and drainage systems, among others.

Under the Vision 2030 program of Saudi Arabia, the country continues to invest billions in renewable energy projects such as solar and wind energy farms and urban modernisation programs which heavily depend upon steel grating. The country also launched a Neom Green Hydrogen Project in 2023 which requires steel grating for platforms and walkways.

Competitive Landscape

The report presents a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global steel grating market, looking into their capacity, market shares, and latest developments like capacity expansions, plant turnarounds, and mergers and acquisitions. Market players are continuously investing in innovative and customised steel gratings which are tailored for specific industries.

Key Industry Players

Alabama Metal Industries Corporation

The company was founded in 1939 and offers specialised solutions for steel gratings, metals, and bar gratings, among others. Its product portfolio includes bar grating, serrated grating, and heavy-duty grating which finds widespread usage in industrial sectors, onshore and offshore refineries, among others.

Anping Enzar Metal Products Co., Ltd.

It is a China-based provider of metal products such as steel gratings and welded wire mesh, among others. Founded in 2007, the company in the steel grating industry offers a product portfolio of bar gratings, serrated gratings, and welded steel gratings for the construction, infrastructure, and oil and gas sectors.

Interstate Gratings, LLC

The company, founded in 2007 and based in the United States, is a provider of custom-designed grating solutions. Its product portfolio includes bar gratings, press-locked gratings, stair treads, and serrated gratings, which cater to end-use sectors such as construction and oil and gas.

Other major players in the steel grating market are Lionweld Kennedy Flooring Ltd., Ohio Gratings Inc., Lichtgitter GmbH, Nucor Corporation, and Valmont Industries, Inc., among others.

The comprehensive report looks into the macro and micro aspects of the industry. The EMR report gives an in-depth insight into the market by providing a SWOT analysis as well as an analysis of Porter’s Five Forces model.

Innovative Startups in the Steel Grating Market

Several startups in the market are offering eco-friendly and sustainable solutions, including recycled materials as well as low-carbon steel production methods. The use of recycled steel for steel grating lowers the carbon footprint and aligns with the circular economy and sustainability practices. Moreover, some startups are focusing on customisation by offering modular steel grating systems, which find usage in the oil and gas and mining sectors and boost the steel grating industry revenue.

Metalogalva (Portugal)

It is one of the rising key players in the steel manufacturing sector which offers its products in the end-use sectors such as infrastructure, and renewable energy, among others. The company is widely known for its custom-designed solutions in power transmission towers and substation structures.

GratEX (Australia)

It is an up-and-coming startup which offers a wide range of lightweight and corrosion-resistant steel grating products. It focuses mainly on the development of modular steel grating systems and offers its steel-grating products for end-use sectors such as mining, infrastructure, and commercial construction.

Recent Developments

June 2024

Lionweld Kennedy announced an investment worth £1.5 million in its site and machinery. The company aims to enhance the production capacity of its Safegrid gratings by more than 40% as well as eliminate its waste production.

March 2024

Meiser International GmbH signed an agreement with Dubai Transport Company LLC (“Dutco”) for the purchase of IKG (the “Company”) from KPS Capital Partners, LP to expand their market reach in North America.