Steel rose to 3,043 CNY/T on October 21, 2025, up 0.50% from the previous day. Over the past month, Steel's price has fallen 1.68%, and is down 5.96% compared to the same time last year, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. Steel - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on October of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Carbon Steel Scrap (WPU101211) from Dec 1986 to Aug 2025 about steel, metals, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

HRC Steel fell to 811.05 USD/T on October 21, 2025, down 0.12% from the previous day. Over the past month, HRC Steel's price has fallen 2.17%, but it is still 15.04% higher than a year ago, according to trading on a contract for difference (CFD) that tracks the benchmark market for this commodity. This dataset includes a chart with historical data for HRC Steel.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Carbon Steel Castings, Except Investment (WPU10150701) from Dec 2003 to Aug 2025 about steel, metals, investment, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

Explore the dynamic factors influencing carbon steel prices per kg, including market demand, geopolitical events, and supply chain disruptions. Learn how these variables, along with steel grades and economic conditions, affect pricing in industries like construction and automotive as of October 2023.

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Carbon Steel Market Size 2025-2029

The carbon steel market size is valued to increase by USD 197.5 billion, at a CAGR of 3.3% from 2024 to 2029. Growing demand for construction industry will drive the carbon steel market.

Market Insights

APAC dominated the market and accounted for a 73% growth during the 2025-2029.
By End-user - Construction segment was valued at USD 405.20 billion in 2023
By Type - Low carbon steel segment accounted for the largest market revenue share in 2023

Market Size & Forecast

Market Opportunities: USD 29.44 billion 
Market Future Opportunities 2024: USD 197.50 billion
CAGR from 2024 to 2029 : 3.3%

Market Summary

Carbon steel, a versatile alloy of iron and carbon, is a cornerstone of global industries due to its exceptional strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. The market for carbon steel is driven by the burgeoning construction sector, which accounts for a significant portion of its demand. Infrastructure development projects, particularly in emerging economies, fuel the need for large quantities of carbon steel. Moreover, the increasing adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices has led to the steel industry's evolution, with carbon steel being a key material in the production of green steel through the electric arc furnace process. However, the market faces challenges, primarily due to the volatility of raw material prices. The prices of iron ore and coal, key inputs in steel production, can fluctuate significantly, impacting the profitability of steel manufacturers. A real-world business scenario illustrates this challenge. A large-scale steel producer aims to optimize its supply chain by securing long-term contracts with reliable suppliers for raw materials. This strategy enables the company to mitigate the risk of price volatility and maintain operational efficiency. In conclusion, the market is shaped by the growing demand from the construction industry, the adoption of sustainable manufacturing practices, and the challenges posed by raw material price volatility. Companies in this sector must navigate these factors to maintain profitability and competitiveness.

What will be the size of the Carbon Steel Market during the forecast period?

Get Key Insights on Market Forecast (PDF) Request Free SampleCarbon steel, a versatile alloy, continues to dominate various industries due to its strength, durability, and cost-effectiveness. Hot-rolled steel products undergo quenching and tempering, normalizing treatments, and annealing processes for enhanced properties. In pressure vessel design, carbon steel's low-temperature applications excel, while alloy steel alternatives cater to high-temperature applications. Sustainable manufacturing practices are increasingly integrated, focusing on cost optimization strategies, quality assurance systems, and supply chain management. In structural steel design, carbon steel's strength-to-weight ratio makes it a preferred choice. Compared to stainless steel, carbon steel offers a cost advantage in automotive steel applications. Stress relieving methods and coating application techniques further enhance its usability. Cold-rolled steel sheets and galvanized steel sheets cater to diverse industries, from construction to automotive. Surface hardening techniques, such as normalizing and quenching, ensure superior resistance to corrosion and wear. Metallographic analysis and welding procedures are essential for maintaining product integrity. Pipeline steel standards prioritize material selection criteria, ensuring safety and reliability. Failure analysis techniques help identify potential issues, preventing costly downtime. In summary, the market showcases continuous evolution, with trends focusing on sustainability, cost optimization, and enhanced performance. Companies prioritize compliance with industry standards, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products. By understanding these trends, businesses can make informed decisions regarding product strategy, budgeting, and overall operations.

Unpacking the Carbon Steel Market Landscape

Carbon steel, a key industrial material, offers superior yield strength properties due to its chemical composition control. Compared to low-carbon counterparts, high-strength low-alloy steels exhibit a 30% increase in tensile strength, enabling cost-effective solutions for structural applications. Microstructure examination through non-destructive testing methods, such as ultrasonic inspection, ensures compliance with steel pipe specifications and enhances production efficiency. Alloying elements, like manganese and chromium, enhance corrosion resistance, reducing waste and maintenance costs by 20%.

Residual stress measurement and fracture toughness testing are essential for ensuring mechanical properties data align with quality control standards. Heat treatment processes, including

In 2023, the average selling prince of South Korean steel works company POSCO's carbon steel amounted to around **** million South Korean won per metric ton. This was a slight decrease compared to the previous year, but still represented the second-highest number of the past decade.

United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Carbon Steel Scrap was 494.14400 Index Dec 1986=100 in August of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Carbon Steel Scrap reached a record high of 786.56400 in April of 2022 and a record low of 97.70000 in April of 1987. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Carbon Steel Scrap - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

Track mild steel price trends with monthly, quarterly, and yearly data for 2024–2025. Get accurate forecasts, regional price updates, and key market insights to stay ahead with Nexizo.

View yearly updates and historical trends for US Producer Price Index: Metals and Metal Products: Carbon Steel Scrap. from United States. Source: Bureau o…

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Mild Steel Plate in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

China Transaction Price: 36 City Avg: Carbon Steel: 180mm, 45# data was reported at 4,022.400 RMB/Ton in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,070.370 RMB/Ton for Feb 2025. China Transaction Price: 36 City Avg: Carbon Steel: 180mm, 45# data is updated monthly, averaging 4,467.670 RMB/Ton from Dec 2011 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 160 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,211.910 RMB/Ton in May 2021 and a record low of 2,389.000 RMB/Ton in Feb 2016. China Transaction Price: 36 City Avg: Carbon Steel: 180mm, 45# data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Price Monitoring Center, NDRC. The data is categorized under China Premium Database’s Price – Table CN.PA: Price Monitoring Center, NDRC: Transaction Price: Production Material: Steel.

View monthly updates and historical trends for US Producer Price Index: Material Recyclers: Shredded Carbon Steel Scrap. from United States. Source: Burea…

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Industry: Iron and Steel Mills: Hot Rolled Steel Bars, Carbon (DISCONTINUED) (PCU33111033111072) from Dec 2010 to Nov 2017 about iron, mills, steel, PPI, industry, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Other Carbon Steel Scrap was 228.88800 Index Jun 1996=100 in May of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Other Carbon Steel Scrap reached a record high of 394.08100 in March of 2022 and a record low of 51.90000 in November of 1998. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Other Carbon Steel Scrap - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

United States - Producer Price Index by Industry: Steel Foundries, Except Investment: Carbon Steel Castings, Except Investment was 307.93600 Index Jun 1981=100 in August of 2025, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, United States - Producer Price Index by Industry: Steel Foundries, Except Investment: Carbon Steel Castings, Except Investment reached a record high of 311.75800 in May of 2024 and a record low of 100.00000 in June of 1981. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for United States - Producer Price Index by Industry: Steel Foundries, Except Investment: Carbon Steel Castings, Except Investment - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on October of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Producer Price Index by Commodity: Metals and Metal Products: Cold Rolled Steel Sheet and Strip (WPU101707) from Jun 1982 to Aug 2025 about steel, metals, commodities, PPI, inflation, price index, indexes, price, and USA.

In 2024, the producer price index (PPI) for iron and steel in Japan stood at *** index points on average, decreasing from ****** points in the previous year. The lowest producer price of iron and steel within the preceding decade was in 2016, with a PPI of ***** points. What determines the price of steel products? Steelmaking requires several raw materials and plenty of energy. Japan has hardly any significant resources to satisfy either demand domestically. Therefore, the country imports iron ore and coking coal, the crucial raw materials needed to produce steel by using blast furnaces. Accordingly, the price depends on the overall energy price and a steady raw material supply – primarily from Australia. For recycling, steel scrap can be added to a certain degree within the conventional process or re-melted in electric arc furnaces. The latter process entails high electricity consumption, making recycled steel of this kind expensive. Carbon-neutral steel: a matter of price Ample carbon emissions are caused by removing excess carbon left from the carbon-based reduction of the iron oxides. Consequently, one strategy is to adjust steel plants to carbon-neutral reducing agents, such as green or blue hydrogen. Carbon capture, usage, and storage (CCUS), still in development, could offset further emissions on top.The trade-off for implementing these measures and using sustainable energy had called for a gradual transition. Ironically, the latest price increases in fossil fuels could spur ecological investments even more than the contested CO2-emission-based premium included in the petroleum and coal tax.

The carbon steel market is valued at USD 1,140.16 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 1,687.72 billion by 2035, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4% over the forecast period.

Attributes	Key Insights
Estimated Carbon Steel Market Size (2025)	USD 1,140.16 billion
Projected Carbon Steel Market Value (2035)	USD 1,687.72 billion
Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035)	4%

Semi-annual Market Update

articular	Value CAGR
H1 (2024 to 2034)	3.5%
H2 (2024 to 2034)	3.7%
H1 (2025 to 2035)	3.9%
H2 (2025 to 2035)	4.1%

Analyzing Carbon Steel Market by Top Investment Segments

Carbon Content Segment	Market Share (2025)
Low Carbon Content Steel	58.4%

Product Type Segment	Market Share (2025)
Flat Product Type	72.5%

End Use Segment	CAGR (2025 to 2035)
Automotive	3.8%

Country-wise Insights

Countries	Value CAGR (2025 to 2035)
United States	4.6%
South Korea	4.5%
Japan	3.9%
India	3.8%
China	3.4%

The global Ordinary Carbon Structural Steel market is poised for robust growth, projected to reach an estimated market size of USD 500,000 million by 2025, expanding at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.5% during the forecast period of 2025-2033. This significant expansion is underpinned by the relentless demand from the infrastructure sector, driven by urbanization and increasing government investments in public works, transportation networks, and residential development worldwide. The automotive industry also remains a key consumer, with a continuous need for durable and cost-effective steel in vehicle manufacturing, even as it navigates shifts towards electric mobility. Furthermore, advancements in manufacturing techniques and the development of higher-strength ordinary carbon structural steel grades are opening up new application possibilities, further fueling market penetration across diverse industries. The market dynamics are being shaped by a confluence of influential drivers and emerging trends. Key among these is the increasing global population and subsequent rise in demand for housing and commercial spaces, directly impacting the construction industry's need for structural steel. Technological advancements in steel production, focusing on improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact, are also contributing to market stability and growth. However, the market faces certain restraints, including fluctuating raw material prices, particularly iron ore and coking coal, which can impact profit margins for manufacturers. Stringent environmental regulations and the growing adoption of alternative materials in some applications also present challenges. Despite these headwinds, the inherent cost-effectiveness and versatile properties of ordinary carbon structural steel ensure its continued dominance in core applications, especially in developing economies with substantial infrastructure development needs.