Structural Steel Market

Structural Steel Market Size and Share Forecast Outlook 2025 to 2035

The global structural steel market is forecast to reach USD 182.7 billion by 2035, up from USD 114.3 billion in 2025. During the forecast period, the industry is projected to register at a CAGR of 4.8%. Infrastructure investments and urbanization are the primary factors driving the constant expansion of the structural steel market.

Demand is being generated by the expansion of commercial and industrial construction expenditures. The utilization of steel in modular construction is increasing. Consumption patterns are being influenced by green building trends and policy-level initiatives.

Quick Stats on Structural Steel Market

• Structural Steel Market Size (2025): USD 114.3 million
• Projected Structural Steel Market Size (2035): USD 182.7 million
• Forecast CAGR of Structural Steel Market (2025 to 2035): 4.8%
• Leading Type Segment of Structural Steel Market: Carbon-manganese Steel
• Leading End-Use Segment of Structural Steel Market: Non-residential
• Key Growth Regions of Structural Steel Market: India, China, United States
• Prominent Players in the Structural Steel Market: Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corporation, JSW Steel Limited, Hyundai Steel Co., Ltd. (HSC), Others

Metric	Value
Industry Size (2025E)	USD 114.3 billion
Industry Size (2035F)	USD 182.7 billion
CAGR (2025-2035)	4.8%

From 2025 to 2035, the structural steel industry is projected to expand at a CAGR of 4.8%, with values rising from USD 114.3 billion in 2025 to USD 182.7 billion by 2035. Year-on-year trajectory, the market is expected to grow to USD 119.8 billion in 2026, adding USD 5.5 billion, and then to USD 125.5 billion in 2027 with a USD 5.8 billion increase. By 2028, it is expected to reach USD 131.6 billion, showing a USD 6.0 billion rise, while 2029 will see a valuation of USD 137.9 billion, with absolute growth of USD 6.3 billion. This steady pattern continues across the forecast, highlighting structural steel’s ability to generate compounding annual increments.

From 2025 to 2029, the structural steel market’s expansion is expected to be largely driven by infrastructure renewal and new industrial projects, particularly in emerging economies such as China, India, and parts of the Middle East. Government-backed transport, logistics, and energy developments ensure a consistent requirement for steel frameworks.

The absolute annual gains above USD 5 billion demonstrate the scale of investment flowing into construction and industrial assets. On the supply side, enhancements in steel recycling processes and energy-efficient blast furnaces contribute to cost competitiveness, helping manufacturers cope with cyclical price pressures.

From 2030, the industry transitions toward higher annual additions, with values surpassing USD 144.6 billion by 2030 and eventually reaching USD 182.7 billion by 2035. The final years contribute more than USD 8 billion per year in absolute increments, signifying accelerated infrastructure spending and advanced building practices.

Adoption of modular construction and prefabricated steel solutions will gain traction, particularly for smart cities and renewable energy facilities. Producers are expected to respond with lighter, high-strength steel grades and improved fabrication technologies.

Despite raw material volatility, the steady 4.8% annual growth underscores a decade of reliable expansion, fueled by rising construction volumes and supply chain optimization.

Global Structural Steel Market Key Dynamics

The structural steel industry is undergoing a period of stable expansion, supported by infrastructure investments, industrial expansion, and urban redevelopment programs across multiple economies. Its growth is facilitated by the adaptability of steel in high-load, modular, and prefabricated applications.

The market for structural steel also faces substantial hurdles linked to raw material cost volatility, competition from substitutes such as concrete, and complex regulatory pressures. Understanding these dynamics is vital, as the interplay of demand drivers and restraining challenges defines the decade-long growth path.

Infrastructure Investments Fueling Construction

Governments across major economies are investing heavily in transport, energy, and logistics infrastructure. Highways, bridges, and industrial parks require steel-intensive frameworks, creating a steady flow of demand. Policies such as the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and India’s Gati Shakti initiative exemplify the scale of capital being funneled into steel-reliant sectors.

Infrastructure upgrades are also extending to smart cities and renewable energy projects. Modular steel systems enable faster delivery, which is crucial when governments aim to achieve targets within short timelines. Structural steel offers durability and flexibility, positioning it as the material of choice in mega projects worldwide.

Expansion of Modular and Prefabricated Construction

Modular construction is becoming increasingly mainstream, supported by the efficiency and uniformity of structural steel. Developers in Europe and Asia-Pacific are relying on prefabricated modules to reduce costs and shorten delivery schedules. Housing complexes, warehouses, and commercial projects are being executed faster due to steel’s load-bearing ability and ease of assembly.

This trend is further enhanced by the logistics boom, where companies such as Walmart and Amazon are investing in steel-based warehouses. Prefabrication also allows for greater design consistency, meeting regulatory standards while reducing waste in construction processes.

Commercial and Industrial Development in Urban Centers

The continued rise of commercial hubs is generating consistent demand for new buildings, logistics centers, and transport facilities. Steel-intensive frameworks are integral to high-rise construction and public infrastructure like stadiums and airports. Smart city programs in China and the Middle East are particularly steel-dependent.

Private developers and institutional investors are also increasingly preferring steel due to its long lifecycle benefits. The capacity to support heavy loads while offering design flexibility ensures that commercial developments remain strongly reliant on structural steel.

Raw Material Volatility and Cost Pressures

Fluctuations in the prices of iron ore and coking coal remain a persistent issue. These cost pressures complicate planning for steelmakers and erode profit margins in capital-intensive projects. Import reliance in certain regions heightens vulnerability to global supply chain shifts.

Such volatility also discourages long-term project commitments. Companies often face difficulties in passing rising costs to developers, leading to tighter margins and delayed procurement.

Competitive Threat from Alternative Materials

Concrete continues to pose a significant challenge in low-rise structures, where it remains cheaper and more widely available. The capital requirement for setting up advanced steel plants also acts as a barrier for new entrants, limiting market flexibility.

Developers with budget constraints may prefer concrete in housing and smaller-scale projects. The inability to match steel’s price point in some applications hampers penetration, particularly in cost-sensitive regions.

Regulatory, Environmental, and Labor Constraints

Steel production is energy-intensive, attracting close regulatory scrutiny. Emission standards and trade tariffs influence competitiveness across regions. Compliance requires heavy investments in cleaner technologies, pressuring smaller producers.

Labor shortages in skilled steel fabrication also delay project execution. In humid climates, high corrosion rates add maintenance burdens, creating reluctance among developers when cheaper substitutes are available.

What are the Regional Trends of Structural Steel Market?

Asia-Pacific remains the largest hub, with China and India generating significant volumes through large-scale urban redevelopment, metro systems, and industrial corridors. Demand here is driven by public funding and industrial growth.

North America and Europe, while more mature, emphasize infrastructure renewal and low-carbon construction methods. In the Middle East, oil-backed mega projects like those in Saudi Arabia and the UAE keep steel demand elevated, while Latin America gradually advances through industrial and port development.

Country-Wise Outlook

Countries	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
India	6.1%
China	5.5%
United States	4.9%

China Leads with Government Projects Fuel Steel Consumption

The state-led infrastructure programs and urbanization drive in China have resulted in the country being the largest market for structural steel. Bridges, stadiums, and skyscrapers necessitate high-strength steel in order to facilitate the nation's efforts to upgrade its industrial infrastructure and revitalize its urban areas.

The global export potential of China's structural steel is enhanced by the Belt and Road Initiative. Baosteel and Hebei, among other domestic companies, are investing in electric arc furnace technologies to comply with low-emission objectives. The expansion of steel facilities is facilitated by land incentives and subsidies from local governments.

• Belt and Road facilitates global market reach
• Electric arc furnace adoption ensures lower emissions
• Land incentives support large-scale facility expansion

India Witnesses Rapid Market Growth Backed by Urban Growth and Industrial Corridors

India is a rapidly expanding market as a result of its urban expansion and large-scale industrial zones. The demand for structural steel is being consistently generated by projects such as the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor, freight corridors, and smart cities.

The "Make in India" campaign has promoted domestic production, and government initiatives have incorporated contemporary techniques, including BIM (Building Information Modeling), into the steel design process. Structural steel is also being used in the construction of high-rise developments and affordable housing to facilitate quicker and safer construction.

• Delhi-Mumbai corridor and Gati Shakti boost demand
• Make in India supports domestic supply chain strength
• Structural steel adoption in housing accelerates project timelines

United States Public Infrastructure and Warehousing

Public infrastructure investments and the warehousing growth associated with the e-commerce sector are the primary factors driving structural steel demand in the United States. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act allocates more than $1 trillion to roads, airports, and water systems, all of which necessitate structural steel.

Steel frames are frequently employed to support heavy equipment when logistics centers are being constructed in both urban and semi-urban areas. Regulatory support for energy-efficient structures and tax credits for green construction also promote the use of steel in commercial developments.

• Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act fuels steady demand
• Logistics sector expands warehouse steel requirements
• Regulatory support for energy-efficient construction boosts usage

Analyzing Global Structural Steel Market by Key Categories

Category adoption in structural steel is determined by cost efficiency, technical performance, and application diversity. Carbon-manganese steel dominates due to balanced affordability and performance, while non-residential applications remain the leading end-use.

Carbon-Manganese Steel Remains the Preferred by Type

The affordability and favourable mechanical properties of carbon-manganese steel have made it a widely used material. It is the optimal choice for load-bearing applications, such as beams, columns, and structural frameworks in buildings and bridges, due to its weldability, ductility, and strength.

It is also compatible with automated steel fabrication processes, which is why it facilitates mass production. This type is especially common in commercial construction projects and public infrastructure projects, where safety standards and cost efficiency are both critical. This grade is preferred by companies due to its ability to balance efficacy with accessibility.

• Optimal for high-load frameworks in bridges and buildings
• Cost-efficient compared to specialty steels
• Widely adopted in both public and private projects

Non-residential Leads by End Use in the Market

The non-residential segment, which includes commercial complexes, offices, airports, factories, and logistics centers, continues to be the primary end-use sector.

Structural steel is the preferred material for large-scale projects due to its ability to provide extended spans, design flexibility, and rapid erection. Steel frameworks are preferred by institutional investors due to their reduced lifecycle costs and simplicity of maintenance.

Additionally, structural steel is a highly effective material for high-rise office buildings in urban areas, which require materials that can withstand intense seismic and wind loads. In order to adhere to project timelines while maintaining durability, steel structures are being implemented by both private developers and governments.

• High-rise office buildings require seismic-resistant steel
• Public projects prefer steel for long-term durability
• Governments prioritize steel frameworks for large-scale infrastructure

Competitive Analysis

Regional dominance and vertical integration characterize the competitive landscape of the structural steel market. Large-scale domestic demand and economies of scale are advantageous to prominent actors in China, including Anshan Iron & Steel Group and Baosteel Group.

JSW Steel in India is diversifying its product line to include high-strength and corrosion-resistant varieties that are suitable for infrastructure projects. Hyundai Steel is dedicated to the development of modular construction technology and provides customized steel bundles for smart cities.

Gerdau S.A. has been utilizing scrap-based electric arc furnaces to optimize low-carbon production in South America. Evraz Group is concentrating on establishing prefabrication partnerships in Eastern Europe.

Hebei Steel Group and Bohai Steel Group are utilizing cost efficiencies and high-volume production to further their presence in the export market. CAD-integrated steel design and robotics for welding and cutting are among the digital tools that companies are investing in throughout the industry.

Strategic partnerships with construction firms are emerging as a means of providing comprehensive steel solutions. The competitive intensity is further heightened by environmental regulations, which encourage manufacturers to adopt sustainable production methods, thereby favoring those who have made early investments in sustainability.

Key Players in the Market

• Anshan Iron & Steel Group Corporation
• JSW Steel Limited
• Hyundai Steel Co. Ltd. (HSC)
• Hebei Steel Group
• Gerdau S.A.
• Evraz Group
• Baosteel Group Corporation
• Bohai Steel Group Co. Ltd.
• Others

Recent Developments

• In August 2024, Stecol International Private Limited (SIPL) has introduced a novel product known as Essar Structural. This launch improved its infrastructure industry offerings and facilitated the realization of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'AatmaNirbhar Bharat' in India. This new product added to the nation's growing demand for structural steel in response to the country's expanding infrastructure.
• In August 2024, JSW's advanced Magsure coating for steel structures was introduced by Grippon Infrastructures. Magsure establishes a new standard in the steel structure industry by employing a superior aluminum, magnesium, and zinc coating on cold-rolled steel.

Segmentation of Structural Steel Market

• By Type :

  • Carbon-manganese Steel
  • HSLA (High Strength, Low Alloy Steel)
  • Heat Treated Carbon Steel
  • Heat Treated Alloy Steel

• By Application :

  • Non-residential
  • Residential

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Western Europe
  • Eastern Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa