The Global High Nitrogen Steels (HNS) Market was valued at USD 424 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 772 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.3% during the forecast period (2026–2034). This robust growth is being driven by increasing demand from the biomedical sector for nickel-free implant materials, the relentless pursuit of superior strength-to-weight ratios in aerospace, and the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques like additive manufacturing.

As industries push the boundaries of performance, safety, and sustainability, the focus shifts to the specialized material producers capable of meeting these extreme demands. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the High Nitrogen Steels Industry—a group of advanced metallurgy leaders and specialty steel pioneers who are engineering the high-performance materials of tomorrow.

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🔟 1. Carpenter Technology Corporation

Headquarters: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: Custom-engineered HNS alloys, Premium melted bar and wire products

Carpenter Technology is a globally recognized leader in the development and production of high-performance specialty alloys, including a robust portfolio of High Nitrogen Steels. The company leverages advanced melting technologies, such as Vacuum Induction Melting (VIM) and Electroslag Remelting (ESR), to produce high-purity, homogeneous HNS grades. Their materials are critical for applications demanding exceptional strength, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Pioneering nickel-free, high-nitrogen austenitic steels for medical implants

• Advanced powder metallurgy capabilities for additive manufacturing applications

• Strong R&D focus on alloy development for aerospace and energy sectors

Download FREE Sample Report: High Nitrogen Steels (HNS) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl

Headquarters: Kapfenberg, Austria
Key Offering: High-performance tool steels and HNS, Precision long products

voestalpine BÖHLER Edelstahl is a premier European producer of high-grade specialty steels, with deep expertise in high-nitrogen grades produced via Pressurized Electroslag Remelting (PESR). This technology allows them to achieve the high nitrogen content necessary for superior material properties. The company serves the most demanding sectors, including aerospace, energy, and medical technology.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Mastery of PESR technology for ultra-clean, high-integrity HNS ingots

• Development of grades for plastic molding and tooling applications requiring high wear resistance

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8️⃣ 3. Sandvik Materials Technology

Headquarters: Sandviken, Sweden
Key Offering: Sanicro® and Sandvik HNS grades, Tubing, bar, and wire

Sandvik is a world leader in advanced stainless steels and high-performance alloys. Their HNS portfolio includes grades designed for extreme environments, such as those found in chemical processing, oil & gas, and the offshore industry. Sandvik’s products are renowned for their exceptional pitting corrosion resistance and high strength.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Extensive R&D in corrosion-resistant alloys for sour service applications

• Production of seamless tubes and precision strips from HNS for critical components

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7️⃣ 4. Outokumpu

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Forta HNS series, Austenitic stainless steels with high nitrogen

Outokumpu, a global leader in stainless steel, has developed specialized High Nitrogen Steel grades under its Forta brand. These materials offer a unique combination of high strength and excellent corrosion resistance, making them suitable for structural applications, transportation, and construction where durability and lightweighting are paramount.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on sustainable production and recycling of advanced steel grades

• Development of duplex and lean duplex stainless steels with enhanced nitrogen levels

Download FREE Sample Report: High Nitrogen Steels (HNS) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. DAIDO STEEL Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Nagoya, Japan
Key Offering: Special steel bars, wire rods, and HNS for automotive and industrial use

DAIDO STEEL is a major Japanese specialty steelmaker with significant capabilities in producing high-nitrogen steels. The company supplies high-grade materials to the automotive, industrial machinery, and aerospace sectors, focusing on components that require high wear resistance, toughness, and fatigue strength.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Advanced heat treatment and processing technologies for enhanced HNS performance

• Strong presence in the Asian market with tailored solutions for regional industries

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5️⃣ 6. POSCO

Headquarters: Pohang, South Korea
Key Offering: Advanced high-strength steels, Plate and sheet products

POSCO, one of the world’s largest steel producers, has invested in the development of advanced high-strength steels, including high-nitrogen variants. The company leverages its extensive R&D resources to create materials for next-generation applications in transportation, construction, and energy, emphasizing weight reduction and sustainability.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of TRIP and TWIP steels with nitrogen alloying for automotive lightweighting

• Investment in future-oriented materials research through the POSCO Research Laboratories

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4️⃣ 7. GKN Powder Metallurgy (Now part of Piper Private Equity)

Headquarters: Radevormwald, Germany
Key Offering: HNS metal powders for Additive Manufacturing and MIM

GKN Powder Metallurgy is a global leader in metal powder production and additive manufacturing solutions. The company produces high-quality, gas-atomized powders of High Nitrogen Steels, enabling the fabrication of complex, high-performance components through 3D printing and Metal Injection Molding (MIM).

Innovation Initiatives:

• Specialization in nickel-free austenitic steel powders for biomedical AM applications

• End-to-end solutions from powder production to finished additively manufactured parts

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3️⃣ 8. Baoshan Iron & Steel Co., Ltd. (Baosteel)

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: Broad portfolio of carbon, stainless, and specialty steels

Baosteel, a flagship company of China Baowu Steel Group, is a major force in the global steel industry with growing capabilities in advanced materials. The company is developing high-nitrogen steel grades to cater to domestic demand from the aerospace, defense, and high-tech manufacturing sectors, supported by significant government and corporate investment.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Expansion into premium steel products to move up the value chain

• R&D focused on meeting the material needs of China’s advanced industrial policies

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2️⃣ 9. Swiss Steel Group

Headquarters: Lucerne, Switzerland
Key Offering: Engineering steel, Stainless steel, and Tool steel long products

The Swiss Steel Group, with its flagship brand Deutsche Edelstahlwerke, is a leading producer of specialty long steel products in Europe. The group has expertise in producing high-quality steels through electric steelmaking and secondary metallurgy processes, including grades with controlled nitrogen content for enhanced performance.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on clean steelmaking practices for high-purity, application-specific alloys

• Supply of high-strength steels for the automotive and mechanical engineering industries

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1️⃣ 10. Schoeller-Bleckmann Group

Headquarters: Ternitz, Austria
Key Offering: High-performance components for oil & gas, specialty steel products

Schoeller-Bleckmann is a specialized manufacturer focusing on high-tech components for the oil & gas industry, particularly downhole tools that operate in extreme, corrosive environments. The company utilizes and supplies High Nitrogen Steels and other advanced materials that offer the necessary corrosion resistance and non-magnetic properties required for these critical applications.

Innovation Initiatives:

• Deep application knowledge in sour service (H2S) environments

• Vertical integration from material selection to finished precision components

Get Full Report Here: High Nitrogen Steels (HNS) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🔬 Outlook: The Future of High Nitrogen Steels Is Smarter and More Integrated

The High Nitrogen Steels market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional applications still drive volume, the industry is investing heavily in application-specific alloy design, advanced powder production, and integration with digital manufacturing technologies.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated adoption of HNS in additive manufacturing for complex, lightweight components

• Regulatory and consumer push for nickel-free biocompatible materials in the medical sector

• Digitalization of material properties data for simulation-driven design and qualification

• Strategic partnerships between material producers and end-users to co-develop next-generation solutions

Get Full Report Here: High Nitrogen Steels (HNS) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying advanced materials—they’re enabling the next wave of industrial innovation across critical sectors.