Chromium Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Report Code: CMR 1168 Report Format: PDF + Excel

Chromium Market Overview

The Chromium Market size is forecast to reach US$ 15.7 billion by 2027, after growing at a CAGR of 2.6% during the forecast period 2022-2027. Chromium can be used in a wide range of applications which include metal ceramics, chrome plating, refractory materials, dyes and paints, synthetic rubies, along with alloys such as ferrochromium, stainless steel, and other applications. Ferrochromium alloy is produced from chromite through silicothermic or aluminothermic reactions with chromium metal. According to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers (OICA), the total global automobile production reached 80.2 billion units in 2021, an increase of 3% as compared to 77.7 billion units in 2020. Chromium is commonly used for electroplating and conversion coatings in the exterior and interior of automobile parts such as steering wheel trims, gear shifts, license plate frames, bumpers, headlights, and other similar parts. Likewise, the anticorrosive properties of chromium make it ideal for electroplating electrical and electronic equipment. Thus, an increase in demand from the electronic industry along with an increase in automobile production acts as the major driver for the market. On the other hand, health hazards associated with the use of chromium may act as a constraint for the market.

Chromium Market

COVID-19 Impact

There is no doubt that the COVID-19 lockdown has significantly reduced manufacturing, and production activities as a result of the country-wise shutdown of manufacturing sites, shortage of labor, and the decline of the supply and demand chain all over the world, thus, affecting the market. Studies show that the outbreak of COVID-19 sharply declined the production of raw materials in 2020 due to a lack of operations across multiple countries around the world. However, a slow recovery in the metallurgy industry has been witnessed across many countries around the world since 2021. Chromium is primarily used in the metallurgy industry during the production of metals in order to provide corrosion resistance and a glossy finish to the metals. For instance, according to the World Steel Association, the annual production volume of steel in Spain reached 14 million metric tons in 2021, an increase of 27.7% in comparison to 2020. Furthermore, in September 2021, Emirates Steel, based in Abu Dhabi, announced its plans for the development of a new steel manufacturing plant in the country. Once completed, the new plant is expected to increase the company’s total steel production capacity to over 5 million tons per year. In this way, a steady increase in the production of steel is expected to increase the demand for chromium as it is crucial for the production of stainless steel, owing to its hardening and corrosion resistance properties. This indicates a steady recovery of the market in the upcoming years.

Report Coverage

The report: “Chromium Market Report– Forecast (2022-2027)”, by IndustryARC covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the Chromium Industry.

By Type: Trivalent Chromium, Hexavalent Chromium.
By Application: Metal Ceramics, Chrome Plating, Refractory Materials, Dyes and Paints, Synthetic Rubies, Alloys (Ferrochromium, Stainless Steel, Others), and Others.
By End-Use Industry: Metallurgy, Hydraulics & Heavy Machinery, Aerospace & Aviation, Automotive, Construction, Electronics, Others.
By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (the UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and the Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile and the Rest of South America), the Rest of the World (the Middle East, and Africa).

Key Takeaways

  • Trivalent Chromium held a significant share in the Chromium market in 2021. Its wide range of characteristics, corrosion resistance, and heat resistance properties made it stand out in comparison to other types of chromium in the market.
  • Metallurgy industry held the largest share in the Chromium market in 2021, owing to the increasing demand for chromium for the production of metals such as steel, aluminum, and more. According to the World Steel Association, the annual production volume of steel in Belgium reached 7 million tons in 2021, an increase of 13.6% in comparison to 2020. The total steel production in Belgium reached 6.1 million tons in 2020.
  • Asia-Pacific dominated the Chromium Market in 2021, owing to the increasing demand for chromium from the metallurgy sector of the region. For instance, according to the World Steel Association, Japan is considered to be the third-largest country in steel production with 96.3 million tons of steel produced in 2021.

Figure: Asia-Pacific Chromium Market Revenue, 2021-2027 (US$ Billion)


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Chromium Market Segment Analysis – By Type

The trivalent chromium segment held a significant share in the Chromium in 2021, owing to its increasing demand for chrome plating due to the characteristics and benefits it offers over hexavalent chromium. For instance, trivalent chromium plating can be easily applied to a wide range of metals, have greater adherence to irregular surfaces and geometries, can be applied even at lower temperatures, and provides better resistance to heat, chemicals, UV light, and temperature in comparison to hexavalent chromium. It also improves the overall performance, provides better durability, allows smoother functioning of equipment, and prolongs the overall product lifecycle of a commercial or industrial machine. Moreover, trivalent chromium offers improved quality, better coverage, easy cleaning, lower toxicity, low generation of hazardous waste, and environmentally friendly options as compared to hexavalent chromium. Thus, all of these benefits are driving its demand in comparison to hexavalent chromium, which in turn, is expected to boost the market growth in the upcoming years.

Chromium Market Segment Analysis – By End-Use Industry

The metallurgy industry held the largest share in the Chromium Market in 2021 and it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.8% between 2022 and 2027, owing to the increasing demand for chromium for the production of metals such as steel, aluminum, and more. According to World Steel Organization, the total crude steel production in North America reached 108.3 million tons in 2021, an increase of 17.8% as compared to 2020. Likewise, crude steel production in South America reached up to 42.1 million tons in 2021, representing a growth of 20.7% in comparison to 2020. Furthermore, Emirates Global Aluminium, a leading aluminum manufacturing company based in the UAE produced around 1.09 million metric tons of aluminum in the first half of 2021, an increase from 880,000 metric tons during the first half of 2020.

Chromium is primarily used in metallurgy in order to provide corrosion resistance and a glossy finish to the metals. It plays a critical role in the production of stainless steel, owing to its hardening and corrosion resistance properties even at high temperatures. Likewise, chromium is used in the manufacturing of aluminum to improve its toughness, and durability, and to control its structure during heat treatment. Thus, an increase in the production of steel and aluminum across the world is expected to increase the demand for chromium, leading to the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Chromium Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

Asia-Pacific held the largest share in the Chromium Market in 2021 up to 40%. The consumption of chromium is particularly high in this region due to its increasing demand from the metallurgy sector. For instance, according to the Japan Iron and Steel Federation, crude steel production in Japan reached up to 96.3 million tons in 2021, an incline of 14.9% in comparison to 83.2 million tons in 2020. Furthermore, recent insights from the World Steel Association states that India produced 118.1 million tons of crude steel in 2021, an increase of 17.8% in comparison to 2020. It further states that total steel production in China and South Korea reached 1,032.8 million tons and 70.6 million tons in 2021 respectively. Furthermore, according to the Japan Aluminum Association, the total aluminum production in Japan reached 690.2 thousand tons in 2020.

In this way, such increasing production of metals in the region is expected to increase the demand for chromium for use in the manufacturing process of such metals, owing to its excellent durability, toughness, corrosion resistance, and other similar properties. This is expected to accelerate the growth of the Chromium Market during the forecast period.

Chromium Market Drivers

An increase in demand from the electronic industry is most likely to increase demand for the product

The anticorrosive properties of chromium make it ideal for electroplating of electrical and electronic equipment, mainly for coating electro-galvanized steel, zinc, copper, and aluminum. According to the Statistical Handbook of Japan 2021, the production and shipments of electronic equipment reached US$ 52.6 billion during the fourth quarter of 2020 and it is expected to increase in the upcoming years. Furthermore, Lenovo Group, a leading brand in consumer electronics and media, published the annual report for the fiscal year that ended in March 2021, which stated that the total revenue of the company reached US$ 60,742 million in the fiscal year 2020/21, an increase of 20% in comparison to the fiscal year 2019/20. Recent insights from the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) states that the U.S invested around US$ 142.2 billion in the production of computers, and US$ 53 billion in consumer electronics such as cell phones, TV, and other similar applications. It also states that China’s National IC Fund had invested US$ 39 billion in July 2021, among which 69.7% has been allotted for front-end manufacturing with the aim of increasing China’s share of global semiconductor production.

Hence, such an increase in production and demand for electronics products and equipment is expected to increase the demand for chromium for electroplating such electrical and electronic equipment. This is most likely to drive the market growth in the upcoming years.

An increase in automobile production is most likely to increase demand for the product

According to a recent study published by the German Association of Automotive Industry during the fourth quarter of 2020, the new registration of motor vehicles reached up to 16,763 units in Europe, 37,467 units in Asia, 3080 units in South America, 17,421 units in North America, 12,733 units in Western Europe, and 5180 units in other regions worldwide. According to the European Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), the EU demand for new passenger cars significantly increased by 25.2% from January-June 2021 and reached around 5.4 million units in total. Likewise, a recent study published by the International Netherlands Group (ING) states that the demand for the production and development of electric vehicles has been increasing since the pandemic. It states that the global sales of new electric vehicles increased by 50% in 2021, and it is expected to increase by 8% in 2022. It further states that the sales of electric vehicles have increased by 14% in Europe, 9% in China, and 4% in the US. Hence, an increase in demand and production of the automobile is expected to increase the demand for chromium as it is primarily used for electroplating and conversion coatings in the exterior and interior of vehicle parts such as steering wheel trims, console trims, gear shifts, license plate frames, bumpers, headlights, and other similar parts. This, in turn, is anticipated to boost the growth of the market in the upcoming years.

Chromium Market Challenges

Health hazards associated with the use of hexavalent chromium may cause an obstruction to the market growth

Prolonged exposure to hexavalent chromium is known to have severe health effects which include occupational asthma, punctured eardrums, eye irritation or eye damage, respiratory irritation, liver damage, lung congestion, along with kidney damage, respiratory cancer, and skin irritation. Chromium contact with non-intact skin can also lead to ulcers in the skin, also known as chrome ulcers. Furthermore, according to the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA), continual or prolonged exposure to 0.045 nanograms per cubic meter of hexavalent chromium could increase the risk of cancer among workers. Thus, such health hazards associated with the use of chromium may confine the growth of the market.

Chromium Industry Outlook

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Chromium Market. Chromium top 10 companies are:

  1. Kermas Group Ltd.
  2. CVK Group
  3. AI Tamman Indsil Ferro Chrome LLC
  4. Gulf Mining Group LLC
  5. Glencore PLC
  6. Eurasian Natural Resource Corporation
  7. Hernic Ferrochrome Ltd.
  8. Odisha Mining Corporation
  9. Assmang Proprietary Limited
  10. MVC Holdings LLC

Recent Developments

  • In January 2022, Yildirim Group acquired Albchrome Holding, an Albanian chrome and ferrochromium company. The main motive of this acquisition is to support the continuation of its progress and to further strengthen the company’s position in the world markets.
  • In May 2021, Wall Colmonoy Limited, based in the UK, launched its new range of Cobalt-Chromium powders and cast discs for use in the dental industry. The new Cobalt-Chromium powders are considered to be ideal for dental implants, partial dentures, and prosthetics, owing to its high strength, biocompatibility, and wear resistance.
  • In June 2020, Dr. William Ringling acquired Hard Chrome Enterprises Inc. based in Florida, U.S., a company that primarily specializes in hard chrome, passivation, cadmium plating, electropolishing, silver plating, along with the removal of surface contaminants. It focuses on metal plating and finishing that serves a wide range of industries which include aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer products.

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1. Chromium Market- Market Overview
    1.1 Definitions and Scope
2.  Chromium Market - Executive Summary
    2.1 Key Trends by Type
    2.2 Key Trends by Application
    2.3 Key Trends by End-Use Industry
    2.4 Key Trends by Geography
3. Chromium Market – Comparative analysis
    3.1 Market Share Analysis- Major Companies
    3.2 Product Benchmarking- Major Companies
    3.3 Top 5 Financials Analysis
    3.4 Patent Analysis- Major Companies
    3.5 Pricing Analysis (ASPs will be provided)
4. Chromium Market - Startup companies Scenario Premium Premium
    4.1 Major startup company analysis:
        4.1.1 Investment
        4.1.2 Revenue
        4.1.3 Product portfolio
        4.1.4 Venture Capital and Funding Scenario
5. Chromium Market – Industry Market Entry Scenario Premium Premium
    5.1 Regulatory Framework Overview
    5.2 New Business and Ease of Doing Business Index
    5.3 Successful Venture Profiles
    5.4 Customer Analysis – Major companies
6. Chromium Market - Market Forces
    6.1 Market Drivers
    6.2 Market Constraints
    6.3 Porters Five Force Model
        6.3.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
        6.3.2 Bargaining Powers of Buyers
        6.3.3 Threat of New Entrants
        6.3.4 Competitive Rivalry
        6.3.5 Threat of Substitutes
7. Chromium Market – Strategic Analysis
    7.1 Value/Supply Chain Analysis
    7.2 Opportunity Analysis
    7.3 Product/Market Life Cycle
    7.4 Distributor Analysis – Major Companies
8. Chromium Market– By Type (Market Size - US$ Million/Billion)
    8.1 Trivalent Chromium
    8.2 Hexavalent Chromium
9. Chromium Market– By Application (Market Size -US$ Million/Billion)
    9.1 Metal Ceramics
    9.2 Chrome Plating
    9.3 Refractory Materials
    9.4 Dyes And Paints
    9.5 Synthetic Rubies
    9.6 Alloys
        9.6.1 Ferrochromium
        9.6.2 Stainless Steel
        9.6.3 Others
    9.7 Others
10. Chromium Market– By End-Use Industry (Market Size - US$ Million/Billion)
    10.1 Metallurgy
    10.2 Hydraulics & Heavy Machinery
    10.3 Aerospace & Aviation
    10.4 Automotive
    10.5 Construction
    10.6 Electronics
    10.7 Others
11. Chromium Market - By Geography (Market Size - US$ Million/Billion)
    11.1 North America
        11.1.1 USA
        11.1.2 Canada
        11.1.3 Mexico
    11.2 Europe
        11.2.1 UK
        11.2.2 Germany
        11.2.3 France
        11.2.4 Italy
        11.2.5 Netherlands
        11.2.6 Spain
        11.2.7 Russia
        11.2.8 Belgium
        11.2.9 Rest of Europe
    11.3 Asia-Pacific
        11.3.1 China
        11.3.2 Japan
        11.3.3 India
        11.3.4 South Korea
        11.3.5 Australia and New Zealand
        11.3.6 Indonesia
        11.3.7 Taiwan
        11.3.8 Malaysia
        11.3.9 Rest of APAC
    11.4 South America
        11.4.1 Brazil
        11.4.2 Argentina
        11.4.3 Colombia
        11.4.4 Chile
        11.4.5 Rest of South America
    11.5 Rest of the World
        11.5.1 Middle East
            11.5.1.1 Saudi Arabia
            11.5.1.2 UAE
            11.5.1.3 Israel
            11.5.1.4 Rest of the Middle East
        11.5.2 Africa
            11.5.2.1 South Africa
            11.5.2.2 Nigeria
            11.5.2.3 Rest of Africa
12. Chromium Market – Entropy
    12.1 New Product Launches
    12.2 M&As, Collaborations, JVs, and Partnerships
13. Chromium Market – Industry/Segment Competition Landscape Premium
    13.1 Company Benchmarking Matrix – Major Companies
    13.2 Market Share at Global Level - Major companies
    13.3 Market Share by Key Geography - Major companies
    13.4 Market Share at Country Level - Major companies
    13.5 Market Share by Key Product Type/Product category - Major companies
14. Chromium Market – Key Company List by Country Premium Premium
15. Chromium Market Company Analysis - Business Overview, Product Portfolio, Financials, and Developments
    15.1 Company 1
    15.2 Company 2
    15.3 Company 3
    15.4 Company 4
    15.5 Company 5
    15.6 Company 6
    15.7 Company 7
    15.8 Company 8
    15.9 Company 9
    15.10 Company 10 and more
"Financials would be provided on a best efforts basis for private companies"