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are desired due to their varied shapes
and closed cross-sections combined with smooth sides. Best mechanical properties and the possibility to bridge large spans are further highlights of tube profiles.
The automotive market representing about 15% of the global tube market is a quite steady and reliable market. After the set back of the world car production in2020, and the supply chain challenges in 2021, the market will continue to grow at a rate of 2 %/year (Figure 18) with many interesting tube and pipe applications.
The production level in 2020, which fell
due to the Corona crisis, could only be increased slightly to around 77.2 million light vehicles worldwide in 2021 due to various challenges in the supply chain. According to IHS, the recovery process
will take longer in the volume markets of Europe and North America. Future growth will take place primarily in Asia, especially in China. However, China could increasingly become a sales problem for the western automotive industry due to the American decoupling tendencies.
However, the tendency to further reduce the weight of vehicles supports the trend towards the use of tubular products. The greatest potential for the use of tubular products (Figure 19) is seen in vehicle frames, followed by chassis and power- trains. Tube manufacturers need to enter new vehicle series with larger volumes to further expand their presence in the light vehicle industry.
The mechanical engineering market segment, which accounts for around 9%
of world pipe production, has developed well in line with global GDP in recent
years (Figure 20). During the financial- and corona crisis, the market was characterised by higher volatility with sharper declines and quick recoveries. In 2022, the current further recovery is slowed down by geo- political circumstances. Asia, and China
in particular, is the largest market for machinery purchases. Here, therefore, the decoupling intentions of the USA must be observed since these could become a game
ITAtube Journal December 2022
Figure 18: Light Vehicles production with improves expectations, Source: IHS 08/2022
Market information
Figure 19: Focal points of potential pipe volumes in the vehicle sectors, Source: HIS
Figure 20: The Global Market for Mechanical Engineering continues to grow Source: VDMA, IKB Research
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