Globalization strategy breakthrough: Reconfiguration of competitiveness in the steel coarse-thread round-head screw industry

Steel coarse-threaded round-head screws, as the fundamental components in the field of mechanical connections, are widely used in core scenarios such as construction, automobiles, and new energy equipment due to their large pitch, high tensile strength, and convenient disassembly and assembly. In recent times, driven by the upgrading of downstream demand, policy adjustments, and technological innovations, the industry landscape of this category has been continuously optimized, presenting a development trend of high-end, compliance, and intelligence, becoming an important illustration of the transformation of the fastener industry.
Product characteristics and application scenarios are constantly upgrading. According to the ISO 68-1 standard, the pitch of steel coarse-threaded threads is significantly larger than that of fine threads. For example, the pitch of the M8 specification coarse thread is up to 1.25mm, with a deep tooth profile and excellent strength, capable of withstanding large tensile and impact forces, and suitable for high-strength fastening and rapid disassembly requirements. Currently, the new energy vehicle and wind power fields have become the core demand engines. In 2025, the production of new energy vehicles increased by 35.9%, and the usage of steel coarse-threaded round-head screws per vehicle increased by 15% compared to traditional fuel vehicles, mainly used for battery group fixation, chassis assembly, etc. In the wind power field, a 5-megawatt wind turbine requires more than 20,000 sets of related connection components, directly driving the demand for high-temperature-resistant and corrosion-resistant coarse-thread screws to rise.
The market size and structure show differentiated growth. The market size of round head screws in China is expected to reach 20.28 billion yuan in 2025, with a year-on-year growth of 9.3%. Among them, the steel coarse-thread category accounts for over 60% of the market share, and the growth rate of high-end products leads the way. The export market performs well. In the first half of 2025, the export value of steel fasteners was 4.97 billion US dollars, with a year-on-year growth of 9.3%. Emerging markets such as Vietnam and Russia have experienced rapid growth, and the export share to countries along the "Belt and Road" Initiative reached 54.3%. The new foreign trade policies in 2026 bring significant benefits. Fasteners are exempted from export license management, and the customs clearance efficiency has improved. At the same time, the entire process of tax refund supervision has been electronicized, forcing enterprises to operate in a standardized manner.
The technological upgrade is advancing further towards precision and greenness. Leading enterprises have generally upgraded their cold heading and threading processes, achieving a round head forming size accuracy of ±0.05mm and a thread precision of up to grade 6g. Environmental protection processes are accelerating their replacement, with technologies such as cyanide-free electroplating and Dacromet coating increasing their penetration rates. The salt spray test lifespan can reach 96 hours, meeting the requirements of the EU carbon border adjustment tax. The intelligent transformation has achieved remarkable results, with the penetration rate of intelligent equipment in the industry exceeding 52%, and the AI visual inspection system has increased the defect recognition accuracy to 99.9%. The application of the MES system has shortened the delivery cycle by nearly half.
Industry competition and challenges coexist. Currently, the market share of the top ten enterprises is approximately 45%. Leading companies such as Jin Yi Industry and Zhejiang Dongming have taken the lead by leveraging their production capacity and technological advantages. Small and medium-sized enterprises mainly focus on the mid-to-low-end market, with a capacity utilization rate of only 65%-75%. Fluctuations in raw material prices remain the main pain point. Carbon steel wire rods account for over 60% of production costs, and the price fluctuation range reached 23% in the first half of 2025. In the future, with the implementation of the "Mechanical Foundation Components Industry Revitalization Implementation Plan", the domestic substitution rate for high-end products will aim for 85%, and compliance and technological innovation will become the key to enterprises' breakthroughs.