Industry snapshot
Key public data points
Historical & forecast
Base year 2023. Each series is official through its own latest government-data year (shown in the legend on each chart), and years beyond that are Claight estimates. As of July 2026 the current year is still in progress (2026 annual data is not yet published), so the forecast runs to 2028.
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Connect to an analyst →Industry Definition and Scope
What does the Wire & Spring Product Manufacturing in European Union industry cover?
This industry covers the manufacture of wire products, chain, and springs under the EU NACE Rev. 2 classification code 25.93. It encompasses the production of non-insulated metal cables, ropes, barbed wire, wire netting, fencing, springs (excluding clock or watch springs), and various link chains. These components serve as essential intermediate goods across a broad spectrum of downstream industrial, construction, and consumer sectors.
- •Classified under NACE Rev. 2 (and the updated NACE Rev. 2.1) as Class 25.93.
- •Excludes insulated electrical cables (NACE 27.32) and power transmission chains (NACE 28.15).
- •Products are tracked detailedly at the EU level using PRODCOM codes such as 25.93.11 for stranded wire/cables and 25.93.13 for woven wire mesh.
Market Structure and Operators
Who operates in the industry and how is it structured?
The European Union's wire and spring manufacturing sector is characterized by a moderate-to-highly fragmented market structure dominated by thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) alongside a few large multinational groups. Geographically, Germany, Italy, and France maintain the highest density of metal fabrication enterprises and output volume within the EU. Localized clusters often support specialized automotive, aerospace, and agricultural equipment manufacturing centers.
- •SMEs make up over 90% of the enterprise population in EU fabricated metal product manufacturing.
- •Germany is the largest EU producer of fabricated metal products, generating significant industrial value.
- •Industrial clusters in regions such as France's Vienne and Deux-Sèvres represent typical regional SME concentrations in this space.
Demand Drivers
What drives demand in the industry?
Demand for EU-manufactured wire and spring products is highly cyclical and depends directly on the output of core downstream industries, primarily automotive manufacturing, construction, civil engineering, and mechanical machinery. Furthermore, ongoing infrastructure upgrades across the EU and investments in renewable energy infrastructure (such as securing non-electrical offshore mooring cables) continue to drive bulk wire and chain demand.
- •Automotive supply chains require high-precision valve springs, suspension springs, and control cables.
- •The construction sector drives demand for welded steel mesh, wire fencing, and structural tension cables.
- •The expansion of renewable energy systems requires heavy-duty mooring chains and specialized cabling systems.
Competitive Landscape and Notable Public Companies
Who are the notable companies in the industry?
The competitive landscape in the EU features intense price competition from non-EU imports, pushing domestic manufacturers to focus on high-quality, high-tensile, and custom-engineered products. Major market participants include specialized multinational metal processing corporations with extensive European footprints.
- •Bekaert (NV Bekaert SA) is a global leader in steel wire transformation and coatings, headquartered in Belgium.
- •Voestalpine AG (specifically its Wire Technology division based in Austria) produces high-quality wire rods, drawing wire, and specialized wire products.
- •Sogefi S.p.A. (headquartered in Italy) is a major public automotive component manufacturer producing high-performance suspension springs.
- •Lesjöfors AB (subsidiary of Beijer Alma AB, Sweden) is a prominent European manufacturer of industrial springs and wire components with operations across multiple EU member states.
Recent Trends and Outlook
What are the recent trends and outlook?
The industry has recently experienced heightened price volatility for raw inputs like steel wire rod, leading to fluctuations in the industrial producer price index. In response, European manufacturers are increasingly adopting advanced automation and digital quality-control systems to improve material yield and offset rising energy costs. Sustainability is also a core trend, with producers working to lower the carbon footprint of steel inputs to meet eco-conscious buyer requirements.
- •The exported wire and spring producer price index stabilized around 114.2 to 115.0 in early 2026 compared to the 2021 baseline (Insee).
- •Overall EU industrial production saw consecutive nominal contractions of 1.4% in 2023 and 2.0% in 2024 (Eurostat).
- •Decarbonization of supply chains has led to increased partnerships with 'green steel' suppliers in northern and central Europe.
Regulation and Compliance
How is the industry regulated?
EU wire and spring manufacturers must comply with rigorous safety, environmental, and chemical standards. The industry is directly impacted by European environmental policies aimed at reducing carbon footprints, as well as strict chemical regulations regarding the metal coatings and lubricants used during the drawing and manufacturing processes.
- •Compliance with the REACH Regulation (EC No 1907/2006) governs the usage of chemical coatings, anti-rust agents, and lubricants on wire and spring products.
- •Producers are monitoring the expansion of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) regarding steel imports to prevent carbon leakage.
- •Products used in structural applications must carry the CE marking under the EU Construction Products Regulation (EU No 305/2011).
Sources
Government, statistical and trade sources used for this Claight analysis.
- Eurostat Industrial Production Statistics 2024 ·
- Insee Industrial Producer and Import Price Indices (CPF 25.93) 2025/2026 ·
- Eurostat NACE Rev. 2.1 Statistical Classification 2025 ·
- German Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) ·
- German Environment Agency (Umweltbundesamt) CBAM Assessment 2025
Claight analysis of public industry data.