Steel Wire Rope Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Last Updated: || Author: Sai Teja Thota || Reviewed: Akshay Reddy || SKU: ICT5405

Buy any syndicated report and get free complimentary customization of up to 20% of the Report and an interactive dashboard.

Free Dashboard
Report Summary
Table of Contents
List of Tables & Figures

Steel Wire Rope Market is Segmented By Material(Carbon Steel, Stainless Steel, Alloy Steel), By Lay Type(Regular Lay, Lang Lay), By End-User(Marine, Sports, and Leisure, Oil and Gas, Industrial, Mining, Construction, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

 

Market Overview

The Global Steel Wire Rope Market size was worth US$ YY million in 2021 and is estimated to reach US$ YY million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of YY% during the forecast period (2024-2031).

Steel wire rope is made from several strands of metal wire twisted into a helix to form a rope in a pattern known as laid rope. The wire rope diameter consists of multiplying the strands of such laid rope in a pattern known as cable laying. In the initial days, wrought iron was used for wire ropes; however, steel was exclusively used for making wire ropes in the modern age due to the corrosion-resisting properties of steel. Galvanized steel and stainless steel are some forms of steel used to make wire ropes.

Historically, wire rope evolved from chains made of wrought iron, which had a high mechanical failure rate. Structural flaws in the chain links or solid steel bars can lead to complete and catastrophic failure, whereas flaws in the wire rope made of steel are less critical since the other wires easily bear the load. Friction between the individual steel wires and strands causes mechanical wear and tear over the rope's service life and helps compensate for minor failures during service life.

Wire ropes were developed for hoisting mining loads in the 1830s. Today, wire ropes are used for dynamic lifting and hoisting in industrial cranes and modern elevators and mechanical power transmission in belt drive systems. Wire ropes transmit force and motion in mechanisms such as controlling an aircraft connected to levers and pedals in the cockpit. Static wire ropes support structures such as suspension bridges or as support to towers. A suspension monorail relies on a wire rope to support the carriage upside down. High corrosion resistance, good thermal stability, and high stress and strain-bearing capacity are some of the desired characteristics of steel wire rope.

Market Summary

MetricsDetails
Market CAGRHigh
Segments CoveredBy Material, By Lay Type, By End-User, and By Region
Report Insights CoveredCompetitive Landscape Analysis, Company Profile Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Demand, Recent Developments, Mergers and acquisitions, New Product Launches, Growth Strategies, Revenue Analysis, and Other vital insights.
Fastest Growing RegionAsia Pacific
Largest Market Share North America

 

To Get a Free Sample Click here

 

Market Dynamics

Increased infrastructural and construction activities mainly drive the demand for steel wire rope is a key driver for the market. The growing adoption of synthetic and composite ropes is a key factor in limiting the growth of this market.

Increase in infrastructural and construction activities

Rapid urbanization and industrialization are occurring globally, particularly in emerging markets. People migrating from rural to urban areas to seek better opportunities have increased urbanization and city population. Better infrastructure is required to accommodate the growing urban population. Strong economic growth has led to better socio-economic outcomes and rising disposable incomes. The above factors, ease of financing, and increased government investment have led to the residential and commercial construction boom.

New residential apartments, recreational centers, commercial spaces, bridges, stadiums, tunnels, and mass transit systems are under construction globally. The building and construction industry is experiencing an unprecedented boom, which has created strong demand for good quality, high-performance building materials. Steel wire rope is used in commercial construction suspension bridges and industrial cranes. Almost all modern elevators use steel wire ropes for operation. Therefore, the increase in infrastructure and construction is a key driver for the growth of the global steel wire rope market.

Growing adoption of synthetic and composite ropes

Recent years have seen a rise in innovation in the wire rope industry. Companies use new materials and rope construction methods to increase product value and drive growth. The industry is witnessing the growing adoption of synthetic and composite materials for wire rope making.

Synthetic materials are cheaper to manufacture than steel. Synthetic ropes also float on water due to their low density, making them ideal for marine applications. Synthetic ropes are also corrosion-proof since they are made from non-metals. The use of carbon fiber composites is also increasing since carbon fiber has twice the strength of steel with half the corresponding weight. The rising use of synthetic and composite ropes is a key challenge for the growth of the global steel wire rope market.

COVID-19 impact on Market

The global steel wire rope market experienced uneven impacts on value chains in production and sales in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Construction and industrial applications saw steep declines since government-imposed lockdowns and restrictions brought a prolonged halt to manufacturing and office work globally.

 China, a major market for the construction industry, emerged from the lockdown relatively early, in June 2020 and demand showed encouraging signs of recovery towards the end of 2020. However, North America and Europe were hit by the second wave of the pandemic, thereby depressing demand. The global demand is expected to recover by early 2021. Many small and medium-scale companies in the supply chain were facing bankruptcy due to a collapse in demand. Global demand is expected to recover by the end of 2021 fully. The short-term impact of the pandemic has been mild for the steel wire rope market. The demand for steel wire rope remains strong and is expected to grow gradually in the coming years.

Market Segment Analysis

The global steel wire rope market is segmented into material, lay type, end-user, and region. The steel wire rope market is segmented into regular and lang lay based on lay type. The regular type leads to this segmentation since it has the largest applications. Lang lay is generally only used for specialized high load-bearing applications.

Market Geographical Share

Asia-Pacific is leading in the global steel wire rope market. Due to major ongoing large-scale infrastructure projects, the region has the largest market share. China is also the largest market for steel wire rope in the world. China has the largest construction industry in the world and is expected to add US$1.2 trillion to global construction output by 2030. Residential and commercial construction has significantly increased in China in the last two decades.

China is also funding the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), undertaking large-scale infrastructure projects throughout the Asia-Pacific. Residential and commercial construction has significantly increased in China in the last two decades. India is also undertaking massive commercial construction to drive infrastructure-led economic growth.

China also is the largest producer of construction equipment in the world. Steel wire ropes have extensive use in construction equipment, such as elevators and industrial cranes. The Asia-Pacific will continue to have the largest market share in the global steel wire rope market in the coming years.

Companies and Competitive Landscape

The global steel wire rope market is competitive due to the availability of a wide variety of wire ropes that cater to different types of end-use applications. Some of the major players contributing to the growth in the segment are Bekaert S.A., Cortland Limited, Samson Rope Technologies, Southern Ropes, Marlow Ropes, Teufelberger, WireCo World Group, Gustav Wolf GmbH, Lanex A.S., and Jiangsu Langshan Wire Rope Co., Ltd. The major market players adopt growth strategies such as new product launches, patenting new technologies, joint ventures, and collaborations, contributing to the growth of the global industry.

Bekaert S.A.

Overview: Bekaert S.A. is a major steel processing company interested in wire transformation and coatings. The company operates in 45 countries globally. Bekaert S.A. was founded in 1880 and is headquartered in Zwevegem, Belgium.

Product Portfolio: Flexisteel is a durable high-tensile steel wire rope designed for an elevator hoisting application. A thermoplastic coating is applied to the rope to ensure noiseless elevator operation.

Key Developments: In February 2020, Bekaert S.A. and AGRO started a joint venture in Colombia. AGRO is a major producer of high-quality springers that merged with Bekaert S.A. to produce high-end steel wire systems. The merger is expected to increase the supply of steel wire ropes in South America.

Why Purchase the Report?

  • Visualize the composition of the steel wire rope market segmentation by the material, lay type, end-user, and region, highlighting the critical commercial assets and players.
  • Identify commercial opportunities in the steel wire rope market by analyzing trends and co-development deals.
  • Excel data sheet with thousands of global steel wire rope market-level 4/5 segmentation data points.
  • PDF report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
  • Product mapping in excel for the critical product of all major market players

The global steel wire rope market report would provide approximately 58 market data tables, 60 figures, and 210 pages.

Target Audience 2024

  • steel wire rope manufacturers
  • HVAC systems manufacturers
  • Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
  • Education & Research Institutes
  • Research Professionals
Save 20% on all licenses
Single User$4350$3480Multi User$4850$3880Corporate$7850$6280

Free 20% customization + dashboard

Trusted by Global Leaders

ADM
Africa Climate Ventures
Algalif
Amcor
Arysta
Asahi
BASF
Baycurrent
BAYER
BioCartis
BIORAD
BRAUN
Budenheim
Daikin
Deerland
DENSO
DUPONT
Epax
FrieslandCampina
FUJIFILM
Hitachi
HONDA
HUAWEI
Inorganic Ventures
ITOCHU
JFE Steel
KAMEDA
Kaneka
KERRY
Marubeni
Meiji
Mitsubishi
MITSUI & Co
Morinaga
NFIT
NIPRO
Pfizer
Plexus
Polaris
Probiotical
RKW
Kearney
Takeda
Sensia
SACCO system
SEKISUI
SKYTILLER
Sony
Sumitomo Chemical
Symrise
Tate & Lyle
Teijin
thyssenkrupp
TORAY
TOSHIBA
Unilever
Xerox
ADM
Africa Climate Ventures
Algalif
Amcor
Arysta
Asahi
BASF
Baycurrent
BAYER
BioCartis
BIORAD
BRAUN
Budenheim
Daikin
Deerland
DENSO
DUPONT
Epax
FrieslandCampina
FUJIFILM
Hitachi
HONDA
HUAWEI
Inorganic Ventures
ITOCHU
JFE Steel
KAMEDA
Kaneka
KERRY
Marubeni
Meiji
Mitsubishi
MITSUI & Co
Morinaga
NFIT
NIPRO
Pfizer
Plexus
Polaris
Probiotical
RKW
Kearney
Takeda
Sensia
SACCO system
SEKISUI
SKYTILLER
Sony
Sumitomo Chemical
Symrise
Tate & Lyle
Teijin
thyssenkrupp
TORAY
TOSHIBA
Unilever
Xerox
FAQ’s

  • The market is driven by increasing investments in construction, mining, oil & gas, marine transportation, infrastructure development, and material handling applications requiring high-strength lifting solutions.

  • Major end-use industries include construction, mining, oil & gas, marine, ports, elevators, cranes, industrial manufacturing, transportation, and forestry.

  • Galvanized steel wire ropes and high-tensile steel wire ropes are expected to witness significant demand due to their superior corrosion resistance, durability, and load-bearing capabilities.

  • Asia-Pacific dominates the market due to rapid infrastructure development, expanding mining activities, industrial growth, and increasing investments in construction projects.

  • The Middle East & Africa and Asia-Pacific are expected to register strong growth owing to rising investments in mining, energy projects, ports, and transportation infrastructure.

  • Major players include WireCo WorldGroup Inc., Bridon-Bekaert The Ropes Group, Kiswire Ltd., Usha Martin Limited, Tokyo Rope Mfg. Co., Ltd., Gustav Wolf GmbH, Jiangsu Langshan Wire Rope Co., Ltd., Teufelberger Holding AG, DIEPA Drahtseilwerk Dietz GmbH & Co. KG, and CERTEX Group.

  • Investment opportunities include offshore wind projects, mining equipment, crane and lifting systems, port infrastructure, elevator modernization, marine applications, and high-performance corrosion-resistant wire ropes.

  • Challenges include fluctuating steel prices, competition from synthetic ropes, raw material supply disruptions, maintenance requirements, and compliance with stringent safety regulations.

  • Key trends include high-performance coated wire ropes, smart wire rope monitoring systems, lightweight rope technologies, corrosion-resistant products, predictive maintenance, and sustainable manufacturing.

  • The market offers stable long-term growth supported by infrastructure expansion, industrial automation, mining activities, energy projects, and increasing demand for safe lifting and hoisting equipment.

  • The report provides market size forecasts, competitive landscape, company profiles, market segmentation, pricing analysis, technology trends, regional insights, supply chain analysis, and investment opportunities.

  • Businesses should evaluate raw material costs, demand across end-use industries, manufacturing capabilities, product certifications, regional infrastructure spending, competitive intensity, and supply chain efficiency.

  • The market research report identifies the fastest-growing applications across construction, mining, oil & gas, marine, cranes, elevators, ports, and industrial lifting equipment, helping businesses identify the most profitable investment opportunities.

  • The report provides detailed analysis of market trends, competitive benchmarking, pricing dynamics, production capacity, regional demand, technology developments, and future growth opportunities to support strategic planning.

  • The report covers market share analysis, product portfolios, manufacturing capacities, strategic partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, pricing strategies, production facilities, and recent developments of leading market participants.
What Our Clients Say About this Report
Michael Donovan
Director of Wire Rope Engineering Solutions
15 Nov, 2025
5/5
DataM Intelligence's Steel Wire Rope Market report delivered a highly detailed and technically robust assessment of one of the most critical industrial materials markets. The report’s analysis of steel wire rope applications across construction, mining, oil & gas, marine, material handling, and transportation industries provided exceptional strategic clarity. Its evaluation of high-strength performance, durability requirements, and infrastructure development trends enabled our organization to identify long-term growth opportunities and strengthen our product innovation strategy.
Laura Whitfield
Vice President, Industrial Lifting Technologies
08 Jan, 2026
5/5
The Steel Wire Rope Market report from DataM Intelligence offered comprehensive market intelligence supported by detailed segmentation and competitive analysis. The report effectively highlighted advancements in galvanized and stainless steel wire ropes, manufacturing technologies, and regional demand trends while evaluating expanding applications in heavy-duty lifting and offshore operations. These insights significantly enhanced our strategic planning and long-term investment decisions.
Dr. Ryan Matthews
Head of Materials Engineering Research
30 Apr, 2026
5/5
DataM Intelligence presented an exceptionally informative Steel Wire Rope Market report with strong emphasis on material innovation, fatigue resistance, and advanced engineering applications. The report’s assessment of corrosion protection, tensile strength improvements, precision manufacturing, and evolving industrial safety standards provided actionable insights for expanding our product portfolio and evaluating future market opportunities.
Jennifer Wallace
Senior Director, Industrial Materials Development
11 Jun, 2026
5/5
The Steel Wire Rope Market report exceeded our expectations through its balanced combination of technical expertise and commercial analysis. Its comprehensive evaluation of market drivers, competitive landscape, regional demand patterns, and application-specific developments delivered valuable business intelligence. The report has become an essential resource for guiding our commercialization strategy and long-term infrastructure planning.
PDF
DataM
Steel Wire Rope Market Report
SKU: ICT5405

Data-Backed Decisions Start Here

Explore how our research empowers industry leaders to cut through uncertainty. Get a free sample of this report or tailor it precisely to your business needs.

ISO 27001 Certified
ADM
Africa Climate Ventures
Algalif
Amcor
Arysta
Asahi
BASF
Baycurrent
BAYER
BioCartis
BIORAD
BRAUN
Budenheim
Daikin
Deerland
DENSO
DUPONT
Epax
FrieslandCampina
FUJIFILM
Hitachi
HONDA
HUAWEI
Inorganic Ventures
ITOCHU
JFE Steel
KAMEDA
Kaneka
KERRY
Marubeni
Meiji
Mitsubishi
MITSUI & Co
Morinaga
NFIT
NIPRO
Pfizer
Plexus
Polaris
Probiotical
RKW
Kearney
Takeda
Sensia
SACCO system
SEKISUI
SKYTILLER
Sony
Sumitomo Chemical
Symrise
Tate & Lyle
Teijin
thyssenkrupp
TORAY
TOSHIBA
Unilever
Xerox
ADM
Africa Climate Ventures
Algalif
Amcor
Arysta
Asahi
BASF
Baycurrent
BAYER
BioCartis
BIORAD
BRAUN
Budenheim
Daikin
Deerland
DENSO
DUPONT
Epax
FrieslandCampina
FUJIFILM
Hitachi
HONDA
HUAWEI
Inorganic Ventures
ITOCHU
JFE Steel
KAMEDA
Kaneka
KERRY
Marubeni
Meiji
Mitsubishi
MITSUI & Co
Morinaga
NFIT
NIPRO
Pfizer
Plexus
Polaris
Probiotical
RKW
Kearney
Takeda
Sensia
SACCO system
SEKISUI
SKYTILLER
Sony
Sumitomo Chemical
Symrise
Tate & Lyle
Teijin
thyssenkrupp
TORAY
TOSHIBA
Unilever
Xerox
Related Reports