U.S.: Metal Wool Market 2025

Metal Wool Market Size in the U.S.

The U.S. metal wool market rose notably to $X in 2022, with an increase of 8.8% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Metal wool consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to continue growth in years to come.

Metal Wool Production in the U.S.

In value terms, metal wool production reached $X in 2022. Overall, the total production indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -4.3% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the production volume increased by 36% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Metal Wool Exports

Exports from the U.S.

In 2022, shipments abroad of iron or steel wool decreased by -10.4% to X tons for the first time since 2019, thus ending a two-year rising trend. In general, exports continue to indicate a abrupt decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 with an increase of 53% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the maximum at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, metal wool exports contracted slightly to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports recorded a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 32%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Canada (X tons), Mexico (X tons) and Japan (X tons) were the main destinations of metal wool exports from the United States, together comprising 85% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the main countries of destination, was attained by Japan (with a CAGR of +36.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

In value terms, Canada ($X), Mexico ($X) and South Korea ($X) appeared to be the largest markets for metal wool exported from the United States worldwide, together accounting for 83% of total exports. China, Colombia and Japan lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 6%.

Among the main countries of destination, Japan, with a CAGR of +35.7%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Export Prices by Country

In 2022, the average metal wool export price amounted to $X per ton, picking up by 8.2% against the previous year. Over the last decade, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.1%. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 an increase of 14% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2020 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices for the major export markets. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Japan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to the Philippines (+7.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Metal Wool Imports

Imports into the U.S.

In 2022, overseas purchases of iron or steel wool increased by 11% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. Overall, imports, however, continue to indicate a mild contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 24%. Imports peaked at X tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, metal wool imports rose notably to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports hit record highs at $X in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, China (X tons) constituted the largest metal wool supplier to the United States, accounting for a 58% share of total imports. Moreover, metal wool imports from China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest supplier, Mexico (X tons), threefold. India (X tons) ranked third in terms of total imports with a 16% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume from China amounted to -5.2%. The remaining supplying countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Mexico (+3.0% per year) and India (+53.4% per year).

In value terms, the largest metal wool suppliers to the United States were China ($X), India ($X) and Mexico ($X), together accounting for 92% of total imports.

Among the main suppliers, India, with a CAGR of +47.5%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced mixed trend patterns.

Import Prices by Country

The average metal wool import price stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -2.3% against the previous year. Over the period from 2012 to 2022, it increased at an average annual rate of +2.4%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 an increase of 14% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was India ($X per ton), while the price for China ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+1.4%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced mixed trend patterns.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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