Market Analysis
In-depth Analysis of Prestressed Steel Wire Strands Market Industry Landscape
Prestressed steel strands, composed of high carbon steel wire rods SWRS82B and SWRH82B-2, find application in the energy sector due to their unique properties such as a stable modulus of elasticity, high tensile strength, low relaxation, stress relief, and strong adhesion with concrete. These strands play a crucial role in diverse energy applications, including wind turbines, nuclear reactor shields, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanks. The manufacturing process involves continuous drawing with significant stranding deduction and stabilization treatment to meet recognized standards such as EN10138, BS 5896, and GB/T5224.
A key driver for the increased utilization of prestressed steel strands in the energy sector is the growing demand for these products in the production of reinforcement bars for nuclear reactor shields. This demand is fueled by the exceptional strengths exhibited by these strands, including low relaxation, high bearing capacity, ease of binding, and remarkable flexibility. Another contributing factor is the rising need for prestressed steel strands in constructing LNG tanks, driven by their favorable tensile strength and low-temperature static load anchoring properties. These qualities present optimistic growth opportunities for the global prestressed steel strands market.
Moreover, prestressed steel strands play a crucial role in the construction of wind turbine towers, where they are employed as exterior cables. Their strength and design flexibility facilitate rapid construction, enabling prefabrication, standardization, and preassembly solutions for concrete structures. According to the World Forum Offshore Wind (WFO), China emerged as the world's largest offshore wind market in 2020, boasting 19.7 GW, which accounted for 40% of the global offshore wind capacity. The United Kingdom followed with 12.3 GW, and Germany had 7.7 GW. In 2021, China installed 12.7 GW of offshore wind capacity due to the expiration of the country's feed-in tariff by the year's end. Additionally, China had 8 GW of new offshore wind capacity under construction at the end of 2021, surpassing the construction figures in the United Kingdom, Taiwan, the Netherlands, and France.
As a result, the ongoing growth in the energy industry and the escalating demand for prestressed steel strands in various energy-related applications present promising opportunities for the global market. This expansion is particularly evident in the energy sector, where the versatility and strength of prestressed steel strands contribute significantly to the development and growth of key infrastructure projects. The utilization of these strands in critical areas such as nuclear reactor shields, LNG tanks, and wind turbines underscores their indispensable role in supporting and advancing the global energy landscape.
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