Aircraft Nickel & Cobalt Round Products Market Size, Share, Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2024-2030

The aircraft nickel & cobalt round products market was 74.8 kilotons in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% in the long run to reach a market size of 106 kilotons in 2030.

Market Dynamics

Introduction

Nickel & cobalt round products are in bar/billet form and used in critical applications in aircraft engines and airframes. These alloys are developed to meet the stringent requirements of aircraft applications, as they possess exceptional properties, such as high-temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, fatigue resistance, and toughness. Engine remains the most prominent application area for nickel & cobalt round products. Key engine applications include turbine discs, shafts, casings, blades, spacers, shrouds, and rings. Key airframe applications include landing gear and fasteners. The selection of alloys and material types, such as a round bar or rod, depends on specific requirements like temperature, stress, and corrosion resistance. The aircraft industry accounted for nearly one-fourth of the global nickel & cobalt alloys market in 2023, and round products hold most of the market share.

Recent Market JVs and Acquisitions:

Several strategic alliances, including M&As, JVs, etc., have been performed over the past few years:

• Recently, in November 2024, Acerinox, Inc. acquired Haynes International Corporation for an approximate value of US$ 798.7 Million. The acquisition strengthens Acerinox. Inc.’s position in high-performance alloys.
• In June 2024, Tri Star Metals and Aubert & Duval sign a distribution joint venture agreement for a defense industry product line.
• In April 2023, Airbus, Safran, and Tikehau Capital (holding company) acquired Aubert & Duval from Eramet. The acquisition makes Aubert & Duval one of Europe’s biggest suppliers in aerospace & defense and energy industries.
• In July 2021, Acerinox, S.A. acquired VDM Metals Group for approximately US$ 629.1 Million. The acquisition enhanced Acerinox, Inc.’s presence in special nickel alloys and high-performance stainless steel.

Market Drivers:

Key factors driving the growth of aircraft nickel and cobalt round products are the organic growth of the aircraft industry, with an expected rise in the production rate of key programs (A220, A320neo family, A350XWB, B737Max, and B787), the entry of new programs (C919, B777x, etc.), the growing aircraft fleet, the benefits of Ni and Co alloys, increasing demand for high-temperature resistant materials, and the development of high-thrust turbofan engines.

Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Development of single crystal alloys.
• Emphasis on High-Temperature and High-Strength Alloys.
• Raw Material Supply Challenges.
• Formation of Long-Term Contracts.
• Sustainability and Recycling Initiatives.

By Aircraft Type

• Commercial aircraft is expected to remain the most dominant aircraft type of the market during the forecast period.
• The aircraft nickel & cobalt round products market is segmented into commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, helicopters, military aircraft, general aviation, and others.
• Expected increase in production rates of the best-selling aircraft programs, introduction of variants of existing best-selling aircraft programs, such as B777X, huge order backlogs of both the significant OEMs (Boeing: 6,197 and Airbus: 8,749) 14,976 as of September 2024; technological advancements; and fleet modernization and expansion are key factors behind the dominance of commercial aircraft segment.

By Process Type

• VIM Process is likely to hold the dominant market position during the forecast period.
• Based on process type, the market is segmented into VIM (vacuum induction melting) and others.
• The vacuum induction melting (VIM) process leads the market driven by its key features, such as precise control over the melting environment, high purity, uniform microstructures, reduced oxidation, and flexibility, i.e., suitable for producing small batches of superalloys.
• VIM prevents air contamination, resulting in high-purity superalloys. This process allows for precise control over the chemical composition of the alloys.

By Part Type

• Turbine discs are expected to remain the most dominant part type of the market over the next six years.
• The market is segmented by part type into turbine discs, shafts, casing, blades, landing gear, fasteners, etc.
• Turbine discs, casing, and blades are expected to remain the most attractive segments in the aero-engine applications. In contrast, landing gear is the most lucrative non-engine application for nickel & cobalt round products.
• The development of high-thrust engines requires materials that can withstand extreme temperatures and stress. Nickel & Cobalt alloys play a vital role in producing crucial parts such as blades, casings, turbine discs, and shafts of high-thrust engines.

By Application Type

• Non-rotating applications dominate the market during the forecast period.
• Based on application type, the market is segmented into rotating and non-rotating applications.
• Major non-rotating applications are casings, exhaust systems, and landing gear.
• Major rotating applications are turbine discs, shafts, and blades.
• Extreme temperatures and rotational forces are imposed on the rotating applications; therefore, nickel and cobalt are utilized to provide strength and durability to withstand these conditions.
• Round products (bars and billets) can be easily forged into complex shapes and are cost-effective for manufacturing large, heavy-duty parts. Hence, non-rotating applications, such as turbine discs, shafts, and blades, are dominant applications of nickel & cobalt round products.

Regional Analysis

• North America is expected to be the dominant region, whereas Asia-Pacific is likely to register the highest growth in the aircraft nickel & cobalt round products market over the next six years.
• The aircraft nickel and cobalt round products market is segmented by region into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Rest of the World. North America is the largest region of the market, as it is home to major aeroengine OEMs, such as GE Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Honeywell International Inc., which generate high demand. It also has the presence of leading players, such as ATI Inc., Haynes International, Inc., Carpenter Technology Corporation, and Precision Castparts Corp. (Special Metals Corporation).
• Asia-Pacific is likely to offer significant growth opportunities driven by programs such as the Safran-DRDO JV engine and GTRE’s custom-designed engines for AMCA. Other factors include increasing demand for commercial aircraft to support rising passenger traffic, the opening of Boeing and Airbus assembly plants in India and China, and a growing preference for air travel and tourism.

Key Players

The market is moderately concentrated, with a few players across the region. All the leading players are manufacturing superalloys for various industries, such as aerospace, oil & gas, automotive, and medical. Many engine manufacturers (OEMs), like CFM, GE Aerospace, and Rolls Royce, maintain close relationships with a selected group of round product suppliers. R&D efforts by leading players to develop new lightweight, strong materials resistant to extreme conditions.

The following are the key players in the aircraft nickel & cobalt round products market (Based on Dominance)

• ATI Inc.
• Precision Castparts Corp. (Special Metals Corporation)
• Carpenter Technology Corporation
• Aperam S.A.
• Haynes International, Inc.
• Proterial, Ltd. (Earlier Hitachi Metals, Ltd.)
• Aubert & Duval
• VDM Metals Group

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market.

The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

The aircraft nickel & cobalt round products market is segmented into the following categories:

• Aircraft Nickel & Cobalt Round Products Market, by Aircraft Type
• Commercial Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Regional Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Helicopter (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Military Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• General Aviation (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Aircraft Nickel & Cobalt Round Products Market, by Process Type
• VIM (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Aircraft Nickel & Cobalt Round Products Market, by Part Type
• Turbine Discs (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Shafts (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Casings (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Blades (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Landing Gears (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Fasteners (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Aircraft Nickel & Cobalt Round Products Market, by Application Type
• Rotating Applications (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Non-rotating applications (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Aircraft Nickel & Cobalt Round Products Market, by Region
• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, The UK, and The Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: China, Japan, India, and The Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from the research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s aircraft nickel & cobalt round products market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period.
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and results from a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with the internal database and statistical tools.
• More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than ten detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain qualitative and quantitative insights.