Couplings - Flexible Category Procurement Intelligence Report 2026-2030

The global flexible couplings market sits at roughly USD 6.0 billion in 2025 (base year), running on a 4.7% CAGR through 2032 with a USD 8.3 billion forecast endpoint. Carbon steel AISI 1045 spreads of USD 820/MT (US Q2 2026) against USD 680/MT in Asia set the dominant cost pressure; the 25% Section 301 List 3 China-origin stack sitting on top of the post-Section-122 baseline tilts landed cost for any buyer whose spend leans on Asia production. The category sits in a balanced, mature replacement-and-OEM-driven position with no clear supply deficit, but buyer leverage is squeezed by concentrated Tier-1 supplier panels and feedstock-priced cost structures. > **Analyst Take.** Our view: the Section 122 surcharge effective 24 February 2026 is the most under-appreciated inflection in this category. Buyers who modelled 2026 US landed cost against a 25% Section 301 baseline alone will see a fur

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