Top 10 Companies in the Complex Phase High Ductility Steel Market (2026): Industry Leaders Driving Next-Generation Automotive Lightweighting

In Business Insights
February 25, 2026


The Global Complex Phase High Ductility Steel Market was valued at USD 146 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 326 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.5% during the forecast period (2026–2034). This robust growth is propelled by the automotive industry’s escalating demand for lightweight materials to meet stringent fuel efficiency standards and the accelerating transition to electric vehicles (EVs) that require high-strength, formable steels to offset battery weight and extend driving range.

As automotive design pivots towards greater safety and sustainability, the focus intensifies on the advanced material suppliers enabling this transformation. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Complex Phase High Ductility Steel Industry—a consortium of global steel giants and specialized innovators shaping the future of vehicle lightweighting and crash safety.


🔟 1. ArcelorMittal

Headquarters: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Key Offering: Usibor® and Ductibor® grades, Fortiform® CP-W solutions

ArcelorMittal is a global leader in advanced high-strength steels (AHSS), with its sophisticated portfolio of Complex Phase High Ductility grades at the forefront of automotive innovation. The company’s solutions are integral to manufacturing safety-critical components like A-pillars, B-pillars, and door rings, where the unique combination of high strength and exceptional formability is paramount.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Continuous development of the Fortiform® CP-W series for enhanced performance

  • Pioneering laser-welded blank solutions using CPHD steel for optimized part design

  • Commitment to reducing the CO2 footprint of steel production through its XCarb® initiative

Download FREE Sample Report: Complex Phase High Ductility Steel Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. thyssenkrupp AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: CP-W® steels, innovative cold-forming and hot-stamping grades

thyssenkrupp is a cornerstone of the European steel industry, renowned for its advanced material science and deep-rooted partnerships with premium automotive OEMs. Its CP-W® (Complex Phase-Weldable) steels offer superior strength-ductility balance, making them ideal for complex structural parts that require high energy absorption.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Leadership in developing tailor-made CPHD solutions for electric vehicle platforms

  • Focus on carbon-neutral steel production through hydrogen-based transformation


8️⃣ 3. SSAB

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Docol® CP and CP-W AHSS grades

SSAB’s Docol® brand is synonymous with high-performance automotive steels. Its Complex Phase High Ductility offerings are engineered to meet the most demanding crash safety standards while enabling significant weight reduction. SSAB is also a pioneer in fossil-free steel production, aiming to revolutionize the industry’s environmental impact.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Expansion of CP-W grades with tensile strengths up to 1180 MPa

  • Strategic push towards fully fossil-free steelmaking by 2045


7️⃣ 4. voestalpine Stahl GmbH

Headquarters: Linz, Austria
Key Offering: phs-CP (Complex Phase) ultraformable steels

voestalpine is a technology leader, particularly in the hot-forming sector with its phs (press-hardening steel) technology. The company’s phs-CP grades combine the benefits of press hardening with the complex phase microstructure, resulting in components with ultra-high strength and excellent ductility for enhanced crash performance.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Integration of CPHD steels into its green steel initiatives

  • Focus on developing solutions for battery protection systems in EVs

Download FREE Sample Report: Complex Phase High Ductility Steel Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. POSCO

Headquarters: Pohang, South Korea
Key Offering: Giga Steel CP-W, eAutosteel solutions for EVs

POSCO is a dominant force in the Asian steel market and a key supplier to the region’s massive automotive industry. The company’s Giga Steel CP-W grades are specifically designed for demanding applications, offering an optimal blend of strength and formability that is critical for modern vehicle architectures.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Rapid scaling of AHSS production capacity to meet regional demand

  • Development of specialized eAutoSteel grades tailored for electric vehicle body-in-white


5️⃣ 6. Nippon Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: NANO HITEN® CP, high-ductility cold-rolled steels

Nippon Steel is a technological powerhouse with a strong focus on research and development. Its NANO HITEN® series includes advanced CPHD steels that utilize nano-precipitation technology to achieve unparalleled combinations of strength and elongation, catering to the precise needs of Japanese automakers.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Investment in next-generation AHSS with strengths exceeding 1.5 GPa

  • Collaborations with global automotive OEMs on material development for lightweighting


4️⃣ 7. Baosteel Group (China Baowu Steel Group)

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: BaoSteel CP Series, Q&P and CP advanced grades

As part of the world’s largest steel producer, China Baowu, Baosteel is central to supplying the Chinese automotive boom. The company offers a comprehensive range of CPHD steels that support the domestic industry’s shift towards safer, more fuel-efficient vehicles and the world’s largest EV market.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Massive investment in domestic AHSS production to reduce import reliance

  • Focus on developing cost-competitive CPHD solutions for high-volume vehicle segments


3️⃣ 8. TATA Steel

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: TATA CP Advanced, high-strength formable steels

TATA Steel is a leading producer in India and Europe, with a growing portfolio of advanced automotive steels. Its CPHD grades are designed to meet both global safety standards and the specific cost-to-performance requirements of emerging markets, positioning it as a key player in Asia’s growth story.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Expansion of AHSS capabilities at its Indian and European facilities

  • Developing tailored solutions for the affordable EV segment


2️⃣ 9. United States Steel Corporation (U. S. Steel)

Headquarters: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Key Offering: XG3® AHSS, advanced complex phase formulations

U. S. Steel is a major supplier to the North American automotive industry, providing advanced steels that help OEMs comply with stringent CAFE standards. Its research focuses on enhancing the ductility and weldability of its high-strength grades, including its developing CPHD offerings.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Investment in new, sustainable mini-mill technology for AHSS production

  • Collaboration with American automakers on next-generation vehicle platforms


1️⃣ 10. JFE Steel Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: JFE CP, high-ductility high-tensile strength steel sheets

JFE Steel is another Japanese leader with a strong technological foundation in AHSS. The company’s CP steels are engineered for excellent stretch flangeability and bendability, which are critical properties for manufacturing complex automotive parts without cracking, ensuring both safety and production efficiency.

Technology Initiatives:

  • Ongoing R&D into ultra-high-strength CP steels with improved surface quality

  • Developing eco-processes to reduce the environmental impact of steel production

Get Full Report Here: Complex Phase High Ductility Steel Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🚀 Outlook: The Future of Automotive Steel Is Stronger, Lighter, and Smarter

The Complex Phase High Ductility Steel market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional steel grades still form the backbone of vehicle structures, the industry is rapidly adopting these advanced materials to achieve ambitious safety and sustainability targets.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated CPHD steel adoption in electric vehicle battery enclosures and safety structures

  • Development of next-generation CP steels with strength-ductility combinations exceeding 1.2 GPa

  • Increased integration of digital twins and AI for material performance prediction and optimization

  • Strategic alliances between steelmakers and automotive OEMs for co-development of tailored material solutions

Get Full Report Here: Complex Phase High Ductility Steel Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential materials—they are engineering the foundation for safer, lighter, and more sustainable mobility.