Cast Iron Market Size, Share, Growth, Trends, and Global Industry Analysis: By Product (Gray, Ductile, Malleable), By Application (Automotive, Machinery & Tools, Railways) and Region Forecast 2020-2031

Cast Iron Market size was valued at US$ 118.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach US$ 188.7 billion by 2031 at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2025-2031. Moreover, the U.S. Cast Iron Market is projected to grow at 6.5% CAGR over forecast period.

The cast iron market refers to the global trade and production of cast iron materials, which are iron-carbon alloys with a high carbon content. Known for their excellent fluidity, machinability, and wear resistance, cast iron products are widely used in applications such as automotive components, pipes, machinery parts, and construction materials. The market encompasses different types of cast iron, including gray iron, ductile iron, and white iron, each suited to specific mechanical and structural needs.

The market is experiencing steady growth driven by robust demand from automotive, infrastructure, and industrial machinery sectors. Cast iron's durability and cost-effectiveness make it a preferred choice for heavy-duty applications and complex geometries. Rising construction activities worldwide and increased investment in water and wastewater infrastructure continue to support market expansion. Meanwhile, advancements in casting technologies and improved recycling practices are enhancing product quality and sustainability. As industries move toward greater operational efficiency and longer lifecycle products, the cast iron market is poised to remain a critical segment within the global metals and materials industry.

Facts & Figures

• Ductile cast iron is being increasingly adopted by infrastructure and utility organizations, preferred due to higher tensile strength and flexibility compared to conventional Gray iron, particularly in water mains, pressure vessels, and sewers.
• More than 80% of manufacturing-used cast iron is today recycled, making one of the best circular metal casting products and a great option for eco-friendly manufacturers.
• Asia-Pacific is the world's biggest producer and consumer of cast iron, underpinned by high concentration of production, low-cost labour, and strong demand from automotive, construction, and municipal markets.
• Improvements in automated molding and computer simulation of the casting process are enhancing product consistency and lowering scrap rates, enabling foundries to achieve tighter tolerances in difficult engineering applications.

Key Developments

• In March 2025, Le Creuset launched the Gourmand Collection, its first single-serve enameled cast iron collection, initially for the foodservice industry and now modified to bring professional-level cooking experience to the home in the first place.
• In September 2024, Caraway launched its Enameled Cast Iron Cookware Collection, combining the durability of cast iron with a non-toxic, design-focused approach, indicating a shift towards lifestyle-focused innovation in cookware development.
• In June 2022, Brakes India partnered with Volvo Group for the manufacturing of 'green castings', making engine components on 100% renewable energy. This initiative will reduce CO? emissions by up to 210 million tons if taken on a big scale in the whole automotive casting sector.

Cast Iron Market Segmentation

Based on the product

• Gray
• Ductile
• Malleable

Ductile cast iron is changing the face of modern casting applications since it possesses very good strength, ductility, resistance to fatigue and impact, and none of these properties come at the expense of machinability. Unlike gray iron, its spheroidal graphite structures immensely improve the mechanical properties without sacrificing machinability. Its high-pressure and load-bearing properties make it the material of choice in water infrastructure, transmission power components, as well as industrial equipment. Foundries increasingly employ ductile iron due to its design flexibility and extended lifespan, particularly for castings in municipalities and construction. As pressure intensifies for sustainability, recyclability, and durability place it squarely as a sustainable but high-performance choice, spanning the cost sensitiveness versus operational longevity gap.

Based on the application

• Automotive
• Machinery & Tools
• Railways
• Others

The motor vehicle sector is the largest user of cast iron, especially for engine blocks, cylinder heads, transmission cases, and suspension parts. Cast iron's vibration damping, wear characteristics, and thermal conductivity make it ideally suited for assemblies of internal combustion engines. While electric vehicles are increasingly common, cast iron is still used in brake systems, drivetrain housings, and structural brackets. Gray and ductile iron are employed for their dimensional stability-to-cost and strength in high-load, high-heat applications. OEMs require high-precision, low-porosity parts, which has encouraged casting technologies to provide near-net shapes with tighter tolerance, optimizing performance while preserving manufacturing efficiency. Cast iron continues to be an engineering workhorse in an increasingly electrified mobility environment.