Segment Analysis of Non-Threaded Fastener Market: Products, Applications, and End-Users

In Business Insights
September 25, 2025

Global Non-Threaded Fastener market size was valued at USD 12.5 billion in 2023. The market is projected to grow from USD 13.2 billion in 2024 to USD 18.7 billion by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period.

Non-threaded fasteners are essential mechanical components designed to join or secure materials without relying on screw threads. These include items like rivets, pins, clips, and retaining rings, which provide reliable fastening solutions in environments where vibration, corrosion, or rapid assembly is a concern. Manufactured from materials such as steel, aluminum, and polymers, non-threaded fasteners offer advantages in weight reduction, ease of installation, and durability, making them indispensable across various sectors including automotive production, aerospace engineering, and consumer product assembly.

The market for non-threaded fasteners, while part of the broader fastening industry, holds significant importance due to its role in supporting lightweight and efficient designs. Demand is driven by the expansion of electric vehicles, advancements in aircraft manufacturing, growth in consumer electronics, and the push for sustainable construction practices that favor quick, reliable joining methods.

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Segmentation by Product Type

The Non-Threaded Fastener market can be divided into four key product categories:

1. Screw

Non-threaded screws, often referring to specialized variants like drive screws or expansion anchors, provide secure fastening without traditional threading mechanisms. They are commonly used in applications where quick insertion and high holding power are needed, such as in wood or lightweight metal assemblies. Their design emphasizes ease of use and resistance to pull-out forces, making them popular in construction and furniture manufacturing.

  • Market Insight: The screw segment remains a foundational part of the non-threaded fastener market, appealing to cost-conscious sectors like consumer goods and DIY markets. However, with the rise of automated assembly lines, demand is evolving toward screws with enhanced corrosion resistance and compatibility with robotic installation. This shift is evident in the automotive industry, where lightweight materials require specialized screw designs to maintain joint integrity under dynamic loads.

  • Trend: Manufacturers in North America and Europe are increasingly focusing on eco-friendly coatings for non-threaded screws to meet sustainability standards. Meanwhile, Asian producers are scaling production for export, driven by global supply chain demands in electronics assembly where precision and speed are paramount.

2. Nut

Non-threaded nuts, including captive or weld nuts, are designed for blind or inaccessible fastening points. These components eliminate the need for threading tools, simplifying assembly in tight spaces. Made from durable alloys, they offer reliable clamping force and are widely employed in machinery and equipment where disassembly might be frequent.

  • Market Insight: Demand for non-threaded nuts is surging in the industrial machinery sector, as they reduce assembly time and labor costs. In aerospace, for instance, these nuts are critical for securing panels without compromising weight savings. The segment’s growth is tempered by competition from adhesive technologies, but its mechanical reliability ensures steady market share.

  • Trend: With the advent of 3D printing and custom manufacturing, producers are offering bespoke nut designs tailored to specific tolerances. This customization trend is particularly strong in Europe, where regulatory pressures for recyclable materials are pushing innovation in polymer-based non-threaded nuts.

3. Rivet

Rivets stand out as a classic non-threaded fastener, forming permanent joints by deforming the shank to create a head. Available in blind, solid, and tubular forms, they excel in high-stress applications like aircraft fuselages and shipbuilding, where shear strength and tamper resistance are essential. Their simple installation via riveting tools makes them ideal for large-scale production.

  • Market Insight: Rivets dominate the non-threaded fastener market in aerospace and defense, accounting for a significant portion of revenue due to stringent safety standards. The segment benefits from the boom in commercial aviation recovery post-pandemic, with major players investing in lightweight composite-compatible rivets. Nevertheless, the push for recyclable materials poses challenges, as traditional aluminum rivets face environmental scrutiny.

  • Trend: Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, is witnessing rapid adoption of automated riveting technologies in automotive and construction, fueled by infrastructure investments. This regional dynamism is encouraging global suppliers to localize production to cut logistics costs and improve delivery times.

4. Others

The “others” category encompasses diverse non-threaded fasteners such as clips, pins, and retaining rings, which provide temporary or semi-permanent securing solutions. These are valued for their non-destructive removal and reuse potential, finding use in electronics, furniture, and medical devices where aesthetics and functionality intersect.

  • Market Insight: This segment is the fastest-growing in the market, propelled by the miniaturization trend in consumer electronics. Plastic clips and spring pins are particularly sought after for their low cost and ease of integration into snap-fit assemblies. Growth is robust in emerging markets, where affordable fastening drives consumer product innovation.

  • Trend: Partnerships between fastener makers and electronics firms are accelerating development of anti-vibration clips for wearables and IoT devices. In North America, regulatory focus on product safety is boosting demand for certified retaining rings in medical equipment.

Read Full Report Here: Non-Threaded Fastener Market – View in Detailed Research Report

Segmentation by Application

Applications define the true value of non-threaded fasteners. Each industry leverages their unique properties—such as vibration resistance, quick installation, and material compatibility—to address specific assembly challenges.

1. Aerospace

The aerospace industry is the largest consumer of non-threaded fasteners, particularly rivets and specialized pins for airframe assembly and engine components. These fasteners must meet rigorous standards for weight, fatigue resistance, and thermal stability, ensuring aircraft safety and performance.

  • Insight: Rivets are pivotal in fuselage and wing construction, providing joints that endure extreme aerodynamic forces. The surge in space tourism and satellite deployments is increasing demand for lightweight, high-strength fasteners in reusable rockets.

  • Trend: With Boeing and Airbus ramping up production, the sector’s expansion in Asia-Pacific is fueling procurement. Sustainability initiatives are driving the adoption of recyclable aluminum and titanium variants, aligning with global carbon reduction goals.

2. Automotive

In automotive manufacturing, non-threaded fasteners like clips and weld nuts facilitate rapid assembly of body panels, interiors, and chassis. They support the industry’s focus on lightweighting to improve fuel efficiency and electric vehicle range.

  • Insight: Clips are extensively used in dashboard and trim installations, offering vibration damping essential for passenger comfort. The EV boom is boosting demand for fasteners compatible with aluminum and carbon fiber composites.

  • Trend: Automakers in Germany and the U.S. are integrating smart fasteners with sensors for predictive maintenance. Asia’s dominance in vehicle production is accelerating localization of supply chains for cost-effective sourcing.

3. Consumer Goods

Consumer goods production relies on non-threaded fasteners for assembling electronics, appliances, and furniture. Pins and clips enable user-friendly designs that prioritize aesthetics, ease of disassembly, and recyclability.

  • Insight: In smartphones and laptops, retaining rings secure delicate components, ensuring compact builds. The rise of modular furniture is increasing clip usage for tool-free assembly, appealing to eco-conscious consumers.

  • Trend: E-commerce growth in India and Southeast Asia is spurring demand for durable, low-cost fasteners in packaged goods. Innovations in biodegradable plastics are addressing plastic waste concerns in this high-volume segment.

4. Others

Other applications include construction, medical devices, and marine industries, where non-threaded fasteners provide corrosion resistance and structural integrity in harsh conditions. Pins and anchors are common in scaffolding and prosthetic assemblies.

  • Insight: In construction, expansion anchors secure fixtures to concrete, supporting urbanization projects. Medical uses demand biocompatible materials for implants, a niche but high-value area.

  • Trend: Middle East infrastructure booms are driving rivet demand in oil rigs. Emerging telemedicine devices are incorporating miniature clips for portable reliability.

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Segmentation by End-User

1. Automotive Manufacturers

Automotive companies, from OEMs like Toyota to suppliers, form the largest end-user group for non-threaded fasteners, using them extensively in vehicle assembly lines.

  • Insight: As vehicles incorporate more sensors and lighter materials, fasteners must ensure secure, vibration-resistant connections. EV transitions are heightening needs for thermal-management compatible components.

  • Trend: Asia-Pacific leaders like China dominate purchases, with just-in-time delivery models optimizing inventory. Digital twins in design are simulating fastener performance for better outcomes.

2. Aerospace & Defense Companies

Aerospace giants like Lockheed Martin and defense contractors rely on premium non-threaded fasteners for mission-critical assemblies.

  • Insight: Hypersonic projects and drone fleets are creating demand for high-temperature rivets. Budget allocations for defense modernization sustain procurement volumes.

  • Trend: U.S. and European firms prioritize certified suppliers, with additive manufacturing exploring custom fastener prototypes.

3. Consumer Goods Producers

Firms in electronics and appliances, such as Samsung and Whirlpool, use non-threaded fasteners for efficient, scalable manufacturing.

  • Insight: Miniaturization in wearables requires precise clips, while right-to-repair laws boost reusable designs.

  • Trend: Global e-commerce expansion in emerging markets is increasing orders for affordable variants.

4. Industrial & Construction Companies

Industrial entities and builders employ non-threaded fasteners for robust, on-site installations in machinery and structures.

  • Insight: Urbanization in developing regions drives anchor and pin usage, though labor skills affect adoption rates.

  • Trend: Green building certifications favor low-impact materials, spurring polymer alternatives.

5. Research & Development Institutions

Labs and universities procure specialized non-threaded fasteners for prototyping and testing advanced materials.

  • Insight: Though volume is low, this group incubates breakthroughs like self-healing joints.

  • Trend: Funding for sustainable tech expands trials in bio-based fasteners.

The Non-Threaded Fastener market is best understood through its segmentation landscape. By product type, the shift is toward rivets and others, driven by demanding industries such as aerospace and automotive. By application, aerospace dominates, but automotive and consumer goods are emerging as dynamic growth areas. By end-user, automotive manufacturers lead, but aerospace companies and research institutions provide critical innovation momentum.

Read Full Report Here: Non-Threaded Fastener Market – View in Detailed Research Report

Download FREE Sample Report: Non-Threaded Fastener Market – View in Detailed Research Report