The Global Steel Cord for Automotive Radial Tires Market was valued at US$ 1073 Million in 2025 and is projected to reach US$ 1614 Million by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This robust growth is fueled by rising global vehicle production, increasing demand for high-performance and durable tires, and the expanding commercial vehicle sector, particularly in emerging economies.

As the automotive industry pivots towards enhanced safety, fuel efficiency, and sustainability, the foundational role of tire reinforcement becomes critical. Steel cord is the essential skeleton of radial tires, providing the necessary strength, durability, and structural integrity. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Steel Cord for Automotive Radial Tires Industry—a group of established steel producers and specialist manufacturers who are crucial to the global tire supply chain.

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Steel Cord for Automotive Radial Tires Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🔟 1. Bekaert

Headquarters: Zwevegem, Belgium
Key Offering: Ultra High Tensile Steel (UHT) Cords, Normal Tensile (NT) Cords, Brass-Plated Steel Cord

Bekaert is a world-leading supplier of steel wire transformation and coating technologies. The company is a dominant force in the steel cord market, providing advanced reinforcement solutions to major tire manufacturers globally. Their focus on research and development ensures products meet the highest standards for strength and adhesion.

Innovation Focus:

• Development of lightweight, high-strength cord designs to improve tire fuel efficiency

• Advanced brass coating technologies for superior rubber adhesion

• Global production footprint ensuring supply chain resilience

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9️⃣ 2. ArcelorMittal

Headquarters: Luxembourg City, Luxembourg
Key Offering: High-Carbon Steel Wire, Steel Cord for Belt and Carcass Applications

As one of the world’s largest steel producers, ArcelorMittal supplies high-quality high-carbon steel wire rod, the primary raw material for steel cord. The company has a significant presence across the entire value chain, serving wire drawers and cord manufacturers with consistent, high-grade material.

Innovation Focus:

• Investment in clean steelmaking technologies to reduce the carbon footprint of tire production

• Tailored steel chemistries for specific tire performance requirements

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8️⃣ 3. Hyosung

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: Super Tensile (ST) and High Tensile (HT) Steel Cord, Aramid-Steel Hybrid Cords

Hyosung is a major global player in advanced materials, including tire cord. The company is known for its innovative product portfolio and strong market position in Asia. Hyosung continuously invests in capacity expansion and technology to cater to the evolving demands of the tire industry.

Innovation Focus:

• Pioneering hybrid cord technologies combining steel with other materials like aramid

• Focus on producing cords for premium, high-speed rated tires

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7️⃣ 4. Bridgestone

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Proprietary Steel Cord Formulations for In-House Tire Production

While primarily a tire manufacturer, Bridgestone possesses significant in-house expertise and production capacity for steel cord. This vertical integration allows for tight control over quality and the development of proprietary cord designs that optimize the performance of their flagship tire brands.

Innovation Focus:

• R&D focused on cord geometry and construction for reduced rolling resistance

• Development of sustainable tire components as part of their long-term environmental vision

Download FREE Sample Report:
Steel Cord for Automotive Radial Tires Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. KISWIRE LTD.

Headquarters: Pohang, South Korea
Key Offering: Full range of Steel Cords (NT, HT, ST, UT), Specialty Steel Wires

KISWIRE LTD. is a leading South Korean manufacturer with a global reputation for high-quality steel wire and cord products. The company serves tire manufacturers worldwide, emphasizing technological excellence and consistent product quality to ensure tire safety and longevity.

Innovation Focus:

• Continuous improvement in tensile strength and fatigue resistance of its cord products

• Strategic expansions to strengthen its global supply capabilities

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5️⃣ 6. Tokusen

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Ultra-Thin High-Tensile Steel Cord, Brass-Plated Tire Cord

Tokusen USA, a subsidiary of Tokusen Kogyo Co., Ltd. Japan, is a key supplier of high-carbon steel tire cord in the North American market. The company is recognized for its precision engineering and commitment to meeting the stringent specifications of global tire makers.

Innovation Focus:

• Specialization in ultra-thin, high-strength cords for modern, fuel-efficient tire designs

• Advanced quality control systems to ensure batch-to-batch consistency

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4️⃣ 7. Jiangsu Xingda Steel Tyre Cord

Headquarters: Jingjiang, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Steel Cord for Radial Tires, Steel Tire Bead Wire

Jiangsu Xingda is one of China’s largest and most prominent manufacturers of steel tire cord and bead wire. The company plays a vital role in supplying the domestic Chinese tire industry, which is the largest in the world, and has a growing international presence.

Innovation Focus:

• Rapid scaling of production capacity to meet domestic and global demand

• Focus on cost-competitive manufacturing without compromising on quality standards

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3️⃣ 8. Sumitomo Electric Industries

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: High-Grade Steel Cord, Advanced Composite Materials for Tires

Sumitomo Electric is a diversified technology company with a strong materials division. It supplies high-performance steel cord to the tire industry, leveraging its expertise in metallurgy and material science to produce cords with exceptional durability and performance characteristics.

Innovation Focus:

• Integration of smart materials and sensing technologies into cord structures for future “intelligent” tires

• Development of environmentally friendly production processes

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2️⃣ 9. Shougang Century

Headquarters: Beijing, China
Key Offering: Tire Cord Steel, High-Carbon Steel Wire Rod

Shougang Century, part of the major Shougang Group, is a significant supplier of tire cord steel in China. The company benefits from vertical integration with its parent company’s steelmaking operations, ensuring a reliable supply of raw materials.

Innovation Focus:

• Enhancing the purity and homogeneity of steel wire rod to improve cord performance

• Expanding product portfolio to include higher tensile strength grades

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1️⃣ 10. Henan Hengxing Science and Technology

Headquarters: Henan, China
Key Offering: Steel Cord for PCR and TBR Tires, Bead Wire

Henan Hengxing is a fast-growing Chinese manufacturer specializing in steel cord and other tire reinforcement materials. The company has been actively expanding its production capacity to capitalize on the growth of both the domestic and international tire markets.

Innovation Focus:

• Investing in automation to improve production efficiency and product quality

• Strengthening R&D capabilities to develop products for the premium tire segment

Get Full Report Here:
Steel Cord for Automotive Radial Tires Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Steel Cord is Stronger, Lighter, and Smarter

The steel cord for automotive radial tires market is evolving in response to the automotive industry’s twin demands for enhanced performance and greater sustainability. While steel cord remains the undisputed champion for tire reinforcement due to its unmatched strength-to-cost ratio, innovation is focused on making it better.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Lightweighting: Development of thinner, higher-tensile cords to reduce tire weight and improve fuel efficiency.

• Electrification and Performance: Demand for tires with low rolling resistance for EVs and high durability for performance vehicles, driving innovation in cord design.

• Supply Chain Regionalization: A strategic shift towards establishing production facilities closer to key tire manufacturing hubs to mitigate geopolitical and logistical risks.

• Sustainability Initiatives: Increased focus on using recycled steel and implementing energy-efficient manufacturing processes to lower the carbon footprint of tire production.

Get Full Report Here:
Steel Cord for Automotive Radial Tires Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not just supplying a component; they are providing the critical backbone for safer and more efficient mobility worldwide. Their continuous innovation ensures that the humble tire continues to meet the challenges of modern transportation.