Apr 20, 2025
IndexBox has just published a new report: EU – Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing – Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.
Driven by rising demand, the European Union iron or steel flexible tubing market is projected to experience steady growth over the next decade. By 2035, market volume is expected to reach 174K tons, with a value of $2.5B. The anticipated CAGR of +1.3% in volume and +2.3% in value underscores the market’s positive trajectory.
Market Forecast
Driven by increasing demand for iron or steel flexible tubing in the European Union, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 174K tons by the end of 2035.
In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.5B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.
ConsumptionEuropean Union’s Consumption of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing
In 2024, metal flexible tubing consumption in the European Union contracted to 152K tons, waning by -6.6% on the previous year’s figure. The total consumption indicated prominent growth from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -13.5% against 2021 indices. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 176K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the consumption failed to regain momentum.
The value of the metal flexible tubing market in the European Union rose notably to $2B in 2024, increasing by 12% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers’ margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The total consumption indicated a pronounced increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, consumption decreased by -17.0% against 2022 indices. Over the period under review, the market attained the maximum level at $2.4B in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption failed to regain momentum.
Consumption By Country
Italy (58K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of metal flexible tubing consumption, accounting for 38% of total volume. Moreover, metal flexible tubing consumption in Italy exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Germany (18K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by Portugal (15K tons), with a 9.9% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual growth rate of volume in Italy totaled +8.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+5.2% per year) and Portugal (+8.6% per year).
In value terms, the largest metal flexible tubing markets in the European Union were Italy ($699M), Germany ($460M) and France ($150M), with a combined 66% share of the total market. Portugal, Slovakia, Spain and Poland lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 11%.
In terms of the main consuming countries, Slovakia, with a CAGR of +21.1%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to market size over the period under review, while market for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
The countries with the highest levels of metal flexible tubing per capita consumption in 2024 were Slovakia (2,056 kg per 1000 persons), Portugal (1,481 kg per 1000 persons) and Italy (991 kg per 1000 persons).
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovakia (with a CAGR of +21.8%), while consumption for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ProductionEuropean Union’s Production of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing
In 2024, metal flexible tubing production in the European Union was estimated at 162K tons, with an increase of 1.9% on 2023 figures. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.1% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 46%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 166K tons. From 2022 to 2024, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.
In value terms, metal flexible tubing production surged to $2.4B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the production volume increased by 39%. Over the period under review, production hit record highs at $2.7B in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2024, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Production By Country
Italy (54K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of metal flexible tubing production, accounting for 34% of total volume. Moreover, metal flexible tubing production in Italy exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, France (21K tons), threefold. Germany (20K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 12% share.
From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Italy stood at +8.4%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: France (-3.8% per year) and Germany (+1.4% per year).
ImportsEuropean Union’s Imports of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing
Metal flexible tubing imports fell remarkably to 46K tons in 2024, which is down by -23.4% against the year before. In general, imports, however, saw temperate growth. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 when imports increased by 41% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked at 82K tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, imports failed to regain momentum.
In value terms, metal flexible tubing imports fell to $622M in 2024. Total imports indicated a measured increase from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the last eleven-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 with an increase of 20%. The level of import peaked at $724M in 2023, and then declined in the following year.
Imports By Country
In 2024, Slovakia (11K tons), distantly followed by Italy (5.9K tons), Germany (5K tons), Spain (4.5K tons), France (3.1K tons), Denmark (2.1K tons) and Poland (2K tons) represented the major importers of iron or steel flexible tubing, together mixing up 73% of total imports. The Czech Republic (2K tons), the Netherlands (1.5K tons) and Belgium (1.4K tons) took a little share of total imports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Slovakia (with a CAGR of +20.2%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, Germany ($118M), France ($101M) and Spain ($68M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, with a combined 46% share of total imports. Italy, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Belgium, Poland, Denmark and Slovakia lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 34%.
Among the main importing countries, Denmark, with a CAGR of +9.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Import Prices By Country
In 2024, the import price in the European Union amounted to $13,658 per ton, increasing by 12% against the previous year. Overall, the import price saw a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2018 an increase of 98% against the previous year. Over the period under review, import prices hit record highs at $14,235 per ton in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.
Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was France ($32,378 per ton), while Slovakia ($808 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by France (+6.6%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
ExportsEuropean Union’s Exports of Iron Or Steel Flexible Tubing
In 2024, exports of iron or steel flexible tubing in the European Union dropped modestly to 56K tons, approximately reflecting 2023 figures. The total export volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.5% from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 35%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of 72K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of the exports remained at a lower figure.
In value terms, metal flexible tubing exports totaled $1.2B in 2024. The total export value increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2013 to 2024; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2024 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.
Exports By Country
Denmark (18K tons) and France (13K tons) were the key exporters of iron or steel flexible tubing in 2024, finishing at near 33% and 23% of total exports, respectively. Germany (6.3K tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Spain (5.4K tons) and the Czech Republic (4.3K tons). All these countries together took approx. 29% share of total exports. The following exporters – Italy (1.8K tons) and Poland (1.7K tons) – each amounted to a 6.4% share of total exports.
From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Denmark (with a CAGR of +74.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
In value terms, the largest metal flexible tubing supplying countries in the European Union were Germany ($275M), France ($255M) and Denmark ($251M), together accounting for 65% of total exports.
Denmark, with a CAGR of +67.9%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, among the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.
Export Prices By Country
In 2024, the export price in the European Union amounted to $21,701 per ton, rising by 4.6% against the previous year. Over the period from 2013 to 2024, it increased at an average annual rate of +1.1%. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2022 an increase of 21% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the near future.
Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Germany ($43,480 per ton), while Poland ($9,645 per ton) was amongst the lowest.
From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Germany (+4.9%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.