The oil felt nail metal industry is expected to continue its growth trend in 2025, with hot-dip galvanized oil felt nails standing out as the mainstream category. Data shows that the domestic market size of hot-dip galvanized oil felt nails reached 1.56 billion yuan in 2024 and is projected to increase to 1.72 billion yuan in 2025, with an annual growth rate maintained at 8% to 10%. By 2030, it is expected to exceed 2.5 billion yuan. The growth momentum mainly comes from the construction sector: the acceleration of urbanization in second- and third-tier cities and the renovation of old residential areas have driven the expansion of waterproofing membrane applications, and the demand for hot-dip galvanized oil felt nails as key fasteners has risen accordingly. The public works sector has made significant contributions, with a market share of 25% in 2023, up 12% year-on-year, benefiting from the increased investment in infrastructure during the "14th Five-Year Plan" period.
The pace of technological iteration is accelerating, with intelligence and high-end development proceeding in parallel.
The industry is undergoing a transformation from traditional manufacturing to intelligent upgrading. In the upstream nail-making equipment sector, the market size of the axial plug nail-making machine was 1.48 billion yuan in 2024 and is expected to reach 1.63 billion yuan in 2025. Leading enterprises have launched the fourth-generation models that integrate PLC control systems and IoT modules, increasing production efficiency by 30% and reducing unit energy consumption by 18%. On the product side, breakthroughs are being made towards high corrosion resistance and environmental friendliness. Oil felt nails produced with advanced hot-dip galvanizing processes have a salt spray test corrosion resistance time of over 1,000 hours, far exceeding that of ordinary electroplated products. Chromium-free passivation treatment and the application of renewable materials have become key research and development focuses. It is expected that the share of high-end innovative products will exceed 20% in 2025. Additionally, the demand for customized products suitable for photovoltaic roofs and prefabricated buildings has surged, driving enterprises to increase their R&D investment.
The regional landscape is differentiating, and the export market potential is emerging.
East China and South China remain the core markets, contributing over 50% of the total share, with Jiangsu and Guangdong accounting for 25% and 18% respectively. The central and western regions are leading in growth, benefiting from the Western Development and Rural Revitalization policies, with an annual growth rate possibly exceeding 12%. In terms of exports, the export value of axial plug nail-making machines was 210 million yuan in 2024, up 15.6% year-on-year. Southeast Asia, Africa, and other countries along the "Belt and Road" Initiative have become major markets due to their strong infrastructure demands, and the export share is expected to rise to 14% in 2025.
Cost pressure persists, and industry consolidation is accelerating.
Fluctuations in raw material prices remain the main challenge, with zinc and steel having a high cost proportion. Since 2023, fluctuations in steel prices have put pressure on enterprise costs. However, leading enterprises have controlled costs through large-scale procurement and technological optimization, maintaining an average gross profit margin of 26.8% for key enterprises. The problem of low industry concentration is becoming prominent, with the top ten hot-dip galvanized oil felt nail manufacturers holding less than 30% of the market share, while the CR5 in the nail-making equipment sector has reached 54%. Leading enterprises such as Ningbo Ligu Machinery have expanded their market share through technological advantages, and small and medium-sized enterprises are facing integration pressure, with industry differentiation intensifying.