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Summary
The global metal construction market is experiencing sustained growth, with an estimated 127.38 million tonnes in 2023 and a forecast CAGR of 3.72% to 2028. This growth is driven by increasing demand from the construction industry, in particular for innovative, environmentally-friendly metal infrastructures that adapt to urbanization and population growth. Major producing countries, such as China, India and Japan, dominate the market in terms of consumption. Aluminum and copper are the main base metals used in construction, with recyclability an important factor driving innovation in the industry.
The French metal construction market, in particular, has seen significant sales growth, despite challenges such as rising raw material prices. The sector's activity is mainly underpinned by private investment, which accounts for 80% of the total, with a notable contribution from major public projects. Despite growth, the sector is facing recruitment problems, with an estimated need for 20,000 new employees over four years. Major public investment, traditionally low interest rates for loans and government support through tax measures and legal provisions (such as the ELAN law) are the main drivers of demand in the market.
Prices for metal construction services vary considerably, with the average cost of a metal frame being 100 euros per square meter, but the sector is investing in innovation and adapting its offerings to meet the contemporary challenges of sustainable development and urban density.
Market trends and dynamics
Demand for steel construction in our study country has been growing steadily, particularly in the public and private sectors. The market is characterized by a robust growth trajectory, with sales in the metal construction sector increasing by 19% in a single recent year, reaching an impressive figure of around 3.75 to 4.25 billion euros. This positive sales trend reflects a remarkable increase of between 35% and 45% since 2006. Despite headwinds such as the 2008 economic crisis and the upheaval caused by the 2020 pandemic, the sector has shown incredible resilience.
After the crisis, the market declined, but recovery was not far off, and growth resumed. Interestingly, sales have regularly exceeded the important €3 billion threshold on several occasions over the past two decades, indicating that the market is stable despite fluctuations. Alongside sales, machined metal tonnage also reflects growth, peaking at over 800,000 tonnes just before the 2008 crisis and approaching these figures in recent years, with a slight decline to around 750-800,000 tonnes.
This positive trend can be attributed to the activities of industrial worksites, which account for almost 60% of the sector's activity. The strength of the market is also evidenced by overall construction investment in the country. Over two decades, construction investment oscillated after 2008, particularly between 2013 and 2016, when a notable decline was observed. The following years, however, saw a recovery phase, with an increase in investment of around 25%, reaching a range of €220-230 billion, and eventually €280-290 billion.
Another important catalyst for this sector is the substantial number of public investment projects, which often require the expertise of steel construction companies. Whether it's building new structures or installing complex components, major projects with budgets in the hundreds of millions exert a considerable influence on the market. added to this is the central role played by housing dynamics, influenced by mortgage rates. With rates set to fall historically until 2022, followed by an upturn, the landscape of household spending on housing is complex. Spending on maintenance and improvements has risen steadily, while spending on new housing has fluctuated to some degree, undergoing a dip before rebounding, reflecting broader trends in metal construction. Key players in the metal construction market
The metal construction market is a complex ecosystem comprising a myriad of companies, each of which plays an essential role in defining the sector's ability to innovate, adapt and respond to the changing demands of urban development.
Within this complex network, certain companies stand out for their expertise, experience and commitment to pushing back the boundaries of what can be done with steel in construction. These companies are not just market players; they are trendsetters and trailblazers, profoundly influencing the direction of the sector.
Market leaders in engineering and steel construction
- at the forefront of the sector, companies specializing in engineering and metal construction play a driving role. These organizations are recognized not only for their technical expertise, but also for their proactive approach to integrating environmentally-friendly practices and materials. By harnessing recyclable components and cutting-edge construction methods, these leaders are paving the way for a greener, more sustainable future.
Pioneers of prefabrication and modular methods
- In the dynamic French market, several companies have distinguished themselves by adopting prefabricated and modular construction techniques. This strategic move is not only aimed at streamlining production, it is a direct response to the urban transformations that are sweeping contemporary society. Prefabrication and modular construction testify to the industry's ability to adapt, and show that these companies have understood that resilience is essential to thrive in fluctuating market conditions.
Architectural innovators embrace digital technologies
- At the same time, key players are rapidly adopting digital technologies and integrating them into their workflows. From computer-aided design to automated manufacturing processes and digital project management tools, these companies are effectively combining the practical expertise of steel construction with the precision and efficiency offered by technological innovations. These trailblazers don't just build buildings, they create intelligent infrastructures for the digital age.
Champions of major public and private projects
- Whether local authorities or major corporations, they all call on the skills of established companies to bring complex public and private construction projects to life. From grandiose sports venues and sprawling transport hubs to imposing office buildings and ultra-modern educational establishments, these market players have a solid portfolio that speaks volumes about their ability to deliver large-scale projects.
Companies in the building and civil engineering industry are major players in construction The vitality of the market is also due to the companies that are deeply committed to the development of the sector and the growth of their employees.
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Inforamtion
- Number of pages : 30 pages
- Format : Digital and PDF versions
- Last update : 03/01/2024
Summary and extracts
1 Market overview
1.1 Definition and scope of the study
Steel construction is a crucial component of modern infrastructure, providing the foundations for buildings, bridges and other structures vital to urban development and expansion. Just as apprenticeship and lifelong learning are essential to the job market, mastery and innovation in the field of steel construction are paramount to meeting the demands of safety, durability and architectural aesthetics. This sector demands advanced technical expertise and the ability to adapt to environmental standards and constant technological progress.
worldwide, the metal construction sector is robust and showing sustained growth. In 2022, the global market was valued at 127.38 million tonnes, with a projected CAGR of 3.72% to 2028. This expansion reflects growing global demand for innovative, environmentally-friendly metal infrastructures capable of meeting the contemporary challenges of urbanization and population growth.market leaders - companies specializing in engineering and metal construction - play a leading role in this constantly evolving field. They offer solutions that combine performance and respect for the environment, thanks to the use of recyclable materials and advanced construction processes.
Focusing on France, the metal construction market is exceptionally dynamic. Although the sector faces challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices and the need for a highly skilled workforce, it benefits from constant innovation and government support for the transition to more sustainable construction. The growing adoption of prefabricated and modular construction methods, as well as the integration of digital technologies, illustrate the adaptability and resilience of this sector in the face of transformations in the urban landscape.
In France, the commitment to quality and technical competence is illustrated by the growing number of specialist companies and trained professionals in this field. This commitment is supported by public policies and private investment, reflecting a shared determination to promote a competitive and innovative metal construction industry.
1.2 A slightly growing global market
The metals market is estimated at ***.** million tonnes in ****, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of *.**% to ****.
Global metal market development projections World, **** - ****, in million tonnes Source: ****
The market studied is expected to grow in the medium term, driven mainly by increasing demand from the construction industry. However, ...
1.3 A domestic market that is experiencing some difficulties despite growth
In ****, the metal construction sector saw significant growth in sales, increasing by **% to *.** billion euros.
sales trend in the metal construction sector France, **** - ****, in € billions Source: ****
There were several variations in sales between **** and ****. It rose from €*.*** billion in **** to €*.** billion in ****, an increase of **.*%. Despite some notable declines in ...
1.4 Imports and exports
The chart below illustrates French foreign trade in goods classified under code C**B: Building materials.
Foreign trade in building materials France, ****-****, million euros Source: ****
Imports have grown strongly in previous years, rising from *.* billion euros in **** to *.* billion in ****, an increase of **.*%. Exports, however, remain relatively constant, despite a ...
1.5 Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-** pandemic, and its economic ramifications resulting from the application of prolonged lockdowns, reduced consumption and the mandatory shutdown of various economic and industrial sectors, did not spare the steel construction market. Due to the lack of information specific to this industry, we will look at the impact of the ...
2 Demand analysis
2.1 Typology of public and private demand
The construction sector as a whole
The steel construction sector is a sub-segment of the construction industry. It is therefore necessary to examine the available data on construction in France, demand and its evolution
According to the FFB (***). This corresponds to a floor area of **.*** million m*. Non-residential space started this ...
2.2 Demand drivers
The table below shows construction spending from **** to ****, with figures for **** not yet available. We do know, however, thattotal investment in **** was ***.* billion euros.
Construction investment France, ****-****, billions of euros Source: ****
Construction investment stagnated after the **** crisis and even declined between **** and ****. However, there has been a recovery since ****, marked ...
2.3 Focus on construction
Construction sector analysis:
The FFB (***) estimates the value of production in the building sector at €*** billion in ****, up *.*% on ****.
Production value in the construction sector France, ****- ****, in billions of euros Source: ****
The chart below shows the breakdown of production in value terms according to the different segments of the construction ...
2.4 Demand drivers: public works
Public works sales will reach ** billion euros in ****, *.**% higher than in ****, according to the Fédération Nationale des Travaux Publics. The growth observed in **** is partly due to a significant increase in production costs, which rose by an average of *.*%. However, in ****, activity is set to accelerate further, thanks to ...
2.5 Greater Paris and the Olympic Games
In addition to the construction of metal parking lots, which has been particularly active in recent years, with renewed demand from hospitals, shopping malls, airports and railway stations, as the SCMF points out, it is worth recalling the importance of major projects (***), and on the other hand, the constructions themselves can ...
3 Market structure
3.1 Market organization
Source: ****
The steel construction market is divided between several players. Steel producers supply the raw materials needed by the fabrication companies - beams, tubes, etc. - and then the construction companies transform the steel received into usable parts on the construction site. Then, construction companies transform the steel received into usable ...
3.2 The sector's recruitment problems
The metal construction industry is struggling to recruit skilled workers, as estimated by the European Union research institute SCMF. The sector's overall workforce had grown by just *.*% in ****, even though **,*** people would be needed to meet recruitment problems by ****, or *,*** people a year. The use of temporary workers is a temporary ...
3.3 Steel sector overview
Steel construction relies on various metals, steel being one of the most important. In this section, we take a look at the steel sector. The production process There are two distinct processes involved in steelmaking: The blast furnace, made from iron ore and coal (***); The electric arc furnace (***), made from recovered ...
4 Offer analysis
4.1 Offer typology
The table below shows all the work carried out by the metal construction sector
Source: ****
When it comes to construction, there are several types of metal profiles and housings that can be produced in workshops:
The sections forming the structure can be cold- or hot-formed, and shaped in different ways Roofing ...
4.2 Prices vary widely
The prices charged by metal construction companies vary widely, depending of course on the project. This is particularly clear when we look at the price of a steel structure.on average, the cost of a metal frame is €*** per square meter, including installation, with a price range from €** to €*** per square ...
4.3 An offering that adapts to today's challenges
Innovation
In its annual press briefing, the SCMF notes that, faced with recruitment difficulties, the sector needs to innovate in order to gain in productivity to face up to international competition. We are witnessing the development of numerically controlled machines, which is now associated with the automation of production flows and ...
5 Regulations
5.1 Regulations in favor of the sector
Government surtax measure
The SCMF explains in a press briefing that the government has taken the decision to pass a bonus measure: a tax measure to support future investment, introduced in ****. This allows companies to write off ***% of the cost price of industrial equipment on their balance sheet. The assets concerned ...
5.2 Awarding public contracts through competitive bidding
Distribution to private individuals is not really special, since it's traditional Business to Consumer distribution. For companies and local authorities, on the other hand, it can be more interesting, as they can - and sometimes must - go through a call for tenders (***).
A company may choose to launch a call ...
6 Positioning the players
6.1 Segmentation
- ArcelorMittal
- Briand Groupe
- Cancé Groupe
- Screb Groupe
- France Structures Distribution
- Formeto
- Eiffage Métal
- Baudin Châteauneuf
- Fayat Groupe
- Soprema Groupe
- Gecina
- Cougnaud Groupe
- Freyssinet Soletanche
- Legendre Groupe
- Sogea Environnement (Vinci Groupe)
- Bacacier Groupe (Kingspan)
- ESA Charpente Métalliques
- Matière TP Groupe
- GH Construction Métallique
List of charts
- Global metal market projections
- Main aluminum-producing countries
- Main copper-producing countries
- Breakdown of metal construction activity
- Sales trends in the metal construction sector
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Latest news
Bacacier by Kingspan strengthens its position in sandwich panels for building insulation in Riom | Kingspan invests in building insulation in Riom - 21/10/2023
- Kingspan has announced a €70 million investment in the construction of the Bacacier Village in Riom (Puy-de-Dôme) in February 2022.
- Two new production lines will be installed by the end of 2023.
- Since 2019, more than 130 employees have been recruited to support the company's growth.
- Bacacier By Kingspan has 8 production sites in France and employs nearly 600 people.
- Kingspan has 15,500 employees worldwide.
- Kingspan achieved sales of 8.3 billion euros in 2022.
Soprema boosts phytodepuration on roofs - 04/10/2023
- 30% reduction in water consumption thanks to the phytodepuration system.
- thickness of roof-mounted phytodepuration system: approx. 20 cm.
- Weight of system: approx. 300 kg per square metre (including water).
- Duration of Skywater Clear development project: 5 years.
- Soprema sales: 4.8 billion euros.
Groupe Fayat: In Nîmes, Razel-Bec and Franki Fondation to build two flood control structures - 04/09/2023
- Contract value awarded by Nîmes Métropole: 35 million euros.
- The Fayat Group, parent company of Razel-Bec and Franki Fondation, is present in 170 countries.
- Number of Fayat Group employees: nearly 22,800.
- Fayat Group sales in 2022: 5.3 billion euros, 37% of which will be generated outside France.
Cougnaud prepares for the arrival of the third generation - 13/04/2023
- French leader in modular buildings, founded in 1972 by Yves Cougnaud
- 1.500 employees
- Nearly 300 million euros in sales
ArcelorMittal invests 300 million euros in electrical steel production at Mardyck in northern France - 17/03/2022
- Investment of over 300 million euros
- production capacity of 200,000 tonnes per year
- 550 people on site
- This production line will manufacture electrical steels used in electric motors for industrial machines and electric and hybrid vehicles
Matière, a specialist in the construction of civil engineering structures, adapts its Bagnac-sur-Célé site to offshore wind turbines - 11/03/2022
- The project represents an investment of 4 million euros
- 80 jobs will be created at the Lot site by the end of 2023
- The family-owned group employs 487 people
- Sales of 170 million euros by 2021 Just over 60% generated internationally
- Project part of a global diversification strategy
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the steel construction market | France
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