Electric Soldering Iron Market

The article discusses the rising demand for electric soldering irons and guns worldwide, with forecasts showing an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is expected to increase with a CAGR of +2.9% in volume and +6.8% in value terms by 2030. Germany leads in consumption and production, with China dominating in exports. Import and export trends, as well as pricing fluctuations, are also analyzed over the period from 2012 to 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for electric soldering irons and guns worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.9% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 59M units by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +6.8% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $709M (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Electric Soldering Irons And Guns

After two years of decline, consumption of electric soldering irons and guns increased by 2% to 47M units in 2022. Overall, the total consumption indicated a moderate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.6% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption decreased by -8.3% against 2019 indices. As a result, consumption reached the peak volume of 61M units. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global electric soldering iron market revenue declined to $420M in 2022, standing approx. at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). In general, consumption saw a prominent expansion. Global consumption peaked at $446M in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

Germany (7M units) constituted the country with the largest volume of electric soldering iron consumption, comprising approx. 15% of total volume. Moreover, electric soldering iron consumption in Germany exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Spain (3.5M units), twofold. The United States (3.3M units) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 7.1% share.

In Germany, electric soldering iron consumption increased at an average annual rate of +23.6% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Spain (+11.5% per year) and the United States (-0.3% per year).

In value terms, Spain ($108M) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Germany ($51M). It was followed by the United States.

In Spain, the electric soldering iron market increased at an average annual rate of +21.4% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+27.0% per year) and the United States (+1.2% per year).

The countries with the highest levels of electric soldering iron per capita consumption in 2022 were the Netherlands (128 units per 1000 persons), Germany (85 units per 1000 persons) and Spain (73 units per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mexico (with a CAGR of +27.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Electric Soldering Irons And Guns

In 2022, approx. 53M units of electric soldering irons and guns were produced worldwide; remaining stable against the year before. Overall, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2016 with an increase of 2.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum volume at 55M units in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, electric soldering iron production reduced modestly to $348M in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, the total production indicated a moderate increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production increased by +18.0% against 2017 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when the production volume increased by 32% against the previous year. Global production peaked at $444M in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of electric soldering iron production was China (37M units), accounting for 70% of total volume. Moreover, electric soldering iron production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Germany (6.6M units), sixfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Spain (3.2M units), with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Germany (+0.3% per year) and Spain (+0.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Electric Soldering Irons And Guns

In 2022, approx. 37M units of electric soldering irons and guns were imported worldwide; which is down by -5.3% on the previous year. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Global imports peaked at 39M units in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, electric soldering iron imports contracted to $243M in 2022. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when imports increased by 26%. Over the period under review, global imports hit record highs at $274M in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of electric soldering irons and guns, namely the United States, Russia, Germany, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Thailand, the Netherlands, the UK, Hong Kong SAR, Poland and the Czech Republic, represented more than half of total import. The United Arab Emirates (747K units) followed a long way behind the leaders.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +18.9%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($32M), Germany ($23M) and the Netherlands ($16M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, with a combined 29% share of global imports.

Germany, with a CAGR of +6.4%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average electric soldering iron import price amounted to $6.6 per unit, approximately mirroring the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2014 when the average import price increased by 9.2% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $8.5 per unit in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($13 per unit), while Malaysia ($0.8 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Hong Kong SAR (+6.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Electric Soldering Irons And Guns

In 2022, the amount of electric soldering irons and guns exported worldwide fell to 43M units, reducing by -7.1% on 2021 figures. In general, exports saw a mild downturn. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when exports increased by 48% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 51M units in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the exports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, electric soldering iron exports contracted modestly to $303M in 2022. Overall, total exports indicated a strong increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.1% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, exports increased by +65.1% against 2015 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when exports increased by 20% against the previous year. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $306M, leveling off in the following year.

Exports By Country

China prevails in exports structure, resulting at 34M units, which was near 79% of total exports in 2022. It was distantly followed by Germany (2.1M units), creating a 4.8% share of total exports. Mexico (1,072K units), Taiwan (Chinese) (994K units) and the Netherlands (891K units) took a relatively small share of total exports.

China was also the fastest-growing in terms of the electric soldering irons and guns exports, with a CAGR of +1.1% from 2012 to 2022. The Netherlands and Mexico experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. Taiwan (Chinese) (-9.0%) and Germany (-10.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. China (+19 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while Taiwan (Chinese) and Germany saw its share reduced by -2.7% and -8% from 2012 to 2022, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($163M) remains the largest electric soldering iron supplier worldwide, comprising 54% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by the Netherlands ($23M), with a 7.7% share of global exports. It was followed by Mexico, with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China stood at +10.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the Netherlands (+17.2% per year) and Mexico (+5.2% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average electric soldering iron export price amounted to $7.1 per unit, growing by 6.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, export price indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its price increased at an average annual rate of +6.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, electric soldering iron export price increased by +49.5% against 2018 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 72%. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $7.1 per unit; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($26 per unit), while China ($4.8 per unit) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Netherlands (+16.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform