Lead Market Report 2025

The lead market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $11.78 billion in 2024 to $12.36 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to battery manufacturing, construction industry, automotive sector, ammunition production, cable sheathing and alloys.

The lead market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.9 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to battery technologies, renewable energy storage, construction and infrastructure growth, electric vehicles (EVs) and transportation, global economic recovery. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for lead in construction, lead in cable sheathing and wiring, market expansion in developing regions, lead-based stabilizers in PVC production, lead in specialty alloys for military and aerospace.

The forecast of 6.5% growth over the next five years reflects a slight reduction of 0.1% from the previous projection. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariff pressures on lead imports may influence the battery recycling and production industry, especially for automotive and backup power systems. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.

The growth of the lead market is driven by an increase in automotive and construction projects in rapidly developing countries like China and India, attributed to rising populations and infrastructure needs. Population refers to the total number of people or inhabitants in a specific country or region. The chemical properties of lead enable its use in power storage and delivery applications. For instance, in March 2024, the United States Census Bureau, a principal agency of the Federal Statistical System, reported that approximately 60% (1,876) of U.S. counties experienced population growth from 2022 to 2023, an increase from 52% (1,649 counties) the previous year, with an average growth rate of 0.29% compared to 0.17% from 2021 to 2022 across the 3,144 counties. Thus, the rising population is driving the growth of the lead market.

The growing demand for consumer electronics is expected to boost the growth of the lead market in the future. Consumer electronics encompass electronic devices and gadgets designed for everyday use by individuals, primarily for personal, entertainment, communication, and productivity purposes. Lead-based solder is commonly used in assembling electronic components due to its low melting point, shielding properties, and high ductility and malleability, making it suitable for a variety of applications in electronics. For instance, in December 2022, GFU Consumer & Home Electronics GmbH, a Germany-based electronics provider, reported sales of electronics products totaling $36.56 billion (Euro 33.7) from January to September 2022. Therefore, the increasing demand for consumer electronics is propelling the growth of the lead market.

The implementation of the Internet of Things (IoT) in the lead industry is a notable trend, enhancing decision-making capabilities and reducing production costs. IoT enables real-time data collection through sensors, analysis of data, communication among equipment, identification of faulty equipment, and extraction of valuable insights from generated data, showcasing significant advancements in the lead market.

Major companies in the lead market are innovating by developing new products such as digital traceability solutions to gain a competitive edge. Digital traceability solutions involve technological systems and tools facilitating the tracking and recording of various activities using digital methods. In November 2023, Anglo American PLC, a UK-based mining company, introduced Valutrax to provide consumers with increased confidence regarding the origin of purchased goods. Utilizing blockchain technology for secure digital data storage, Valutrax offers a customized selection of essential data, simplifying the tracking of metals and minerals from source to customer by providing a centralized point of access for crucial product information.

Major companies operating in the lead market include Glencore International plc, China Minmetals Corporation, BHP Group plc, Mitsui Mining & Smelting Co. Ltd., Anglo American plc, Vedanta Resources plc, Nyrstar NV, Grupo Mexico S.A.B. de C.V., Teck Resources Ltd., Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd., Southern Copper Corporation, Korea Zinc Co. Ltd., First Quantum Minerals Ltd., Hindustan Zinc Ltd., MMG Limited, Yuguang Gold and Lead Co. Ltd., Votorantim Metais Ltda., Henan Yuguang Zinc Industry Co. Ltd., Hudbay Minerals Inc., Doe Run Resources Corp., Huludao Zinc Industry Group Co. Ltd., Trevali Mining Corporation, Silvercorp Metals Inc., Belmont Metals Inc., Uchalinsk Mining and Processing Complex JSC, Mehdiabad Zinc Project.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the lead market in 2024. The regions covered in the lead market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the lead market report are Australia, China, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Philippines, Hong Kong, New Zealand, USA, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Peru, France, Germany, UK, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Russia, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Iran, Turkey, UAE, Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

The rapid escalation of U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are heavily affecting the mining sector, especially in areas such as equipment acquisition, export flows, and supply chain stability. Increased tariffs on imported heavy machinery, drilling tools, and specialized parts have driven up both capital and operational expenditures, leading to delays in project development and reduced production efficiency. Simultaneously, retaliatory tariffs from major trading partners have diminished global demand for U.S. sourced minerals particularly critical resources like lithium, copper, and rare earth elements intensifying revenue challenges. These impacts are hitting mid-sized and niche mining companies the hardest due to their reliance on international markets. In response, the industry is focusing on building domestic equipment supply chains, scaling up mineral recycling programs, and lobbying for tariff relief to regain competitiveness and safeguard long-term resource availability.

The lead market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides lead market statistics, including lead global industry, regional shares, competitors with a lead market share, detailed lead market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the lead industry. This lead global market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

Lead extraction involves the process of extracting lead ore from underground mines. Lead is often found in mixtures with other metals, such as zinc and silver. Symbolized as Pb on the periodic table, lead is a metallic element. While lead can exist in nature in a free form, it is most commonly derived from ores such as galena (PbS), anglesite (PbSO4), cerussite (PbCO3), and minum (Pb3O4).

The primary types of lead use are categorized as automotive, electronics, and other applications. In the context of this classification, automotive pertains to the design, operation, manufacture, or sale of automobiles. Lead production is further classified as primary and secondary. The mining methods for lead extraction encompass both underground mining and surface mining.

The Lead market includes revenues earned by entities by getting used in car batteries, pigments, ammunition, cable sheathing. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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