KEY POINTSNippon Kinzoku starts mass production of laser-weld stainless steel for ultra-fine insulin injection needlesNew material supports 30G to 32G needles, with thickness reduced to 0.08 mm from 0.2 mm in conventional processesRising diabetes prevalence and broader use of fine needles in obesity drugs support global demand growth
Nippon Kinzoku has launched mass production of stainless steel for insulin needles.
Nippon Kinzoku
Nippon Kinzoku said on Aug. 26 it had started mass production of thin-wall, narrow-width stainless steel designed for laser welding in ultra-fine injection needles used for insulin shots, targeting rising global demand for thinner needles and related medical devices.
The Tokyo-based stainless steel maker said it had established a production and supply system capable of providing the material in stable volumes for the expanding market. The product is intended for very fine-gauge injection needles, including those used in insulin injections.
Demand for insulin injection needles is increasing globally as the number of adults with diabetes rises. Citing data published by the International Diabetes Federation in May 2025, Nippon Kinzoku said the global adult diabetes population reached 589 million, or about one in nine adults, and is projected to grow to 853 million by 2050.
Insulin injection technology has also been evolving toward structures designed to reduce pain and bruising for patients. Adoption of ultra-fine tubes such as 30G, 31G and 32G has been advancing, supported by wider use of compact pen-type injectors that improve convenience for self-administration. Similar fine needles are also being used in anti-obesity drugs, adding to market growth, the company said.
The new material is tailored for laser welding, a manufacturing method that can reduce wall thickness at the material stage by more than 50% compared with conventional processes. Nippon Kinzoku gave an example of reducing material thickness to 0.08 mm, versus 0.2 mm for materials used in conventional TIG and plasma welding processes. The material width is 6.3 mm, compared with 12.8 mm for conventional welding applications.
The company said it repeated prototype work with several customers that have introduced laser welding equipment and had built a system capable of stable quality and production. Nippon Kinzoku also said it maintains cut-surface conditions with a 50% sheared surface ratio over lengths of about 4,500 meters.
Nippon Kinzoku supplies its NK-304NKM stainless steel for thin-wall welded tubes used in medical and beauty applications in countries around the world. The company estimated its share in materials for injection needles at about 57% in Japan and about 55% in major overseas markets, based on a survey of 34 companies conducted in March 2026. Those overseas markets include Southeast Asia, South Korea, China, India and the European Union.
The announcement comes as drugmakers and device manufacturers expand production tied to diabetes treatment and obesity care, both of which rely heavily on disposable pen needles and related consumables. Fine-gauge needles have become a key product segment as manufacturers seek to improve ease of use and reduce discomfort for patients.