Iron Casting Market Driven by Railway and Infrastructure Investments

The global iron casting market size was estimated at USD 117.4 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 172.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2025 to 2030. The market growth is anticipated to be driven by the rising investments in the railway industry worldwide and the demand for iron cast pipes from water-related infrastructure projects and oil & gas.

In terms of application, the railway is anticipated to register a CAGR of 8.1% in terms of revenue during the forecast period. Rising investments in railway infrastructure are anticipated to positively impact the iron casting market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in April 2025, the 135-year-old rail bridge over the Mithi River in Bandra, Mumbai, one of the last remaining cast-iron screw-pile bridges on Indian Railways, began to be dismantled and replaced, marking the end of the cast-iron era in Indian railway infrastructure. Built in 1888, the bridge featured eight massive cast iron pillars weighing 8-10 tons and extending 15-20 meters deep into the riverbed to anchor the structure. This transition is significant in the context of iron casting, as the bridge’s original screw-pile design exemplified the 19th-century engineering marvels made possible by cast iron technology.

Cast iron, known for its compressive strength and moldability, was widely used in bridge construction during the industrial era. However, the material’s brittleness and susceptibility to corrosion over time have led to structural vulnerabilities, especially in critical infrastructure like railways. The replacement of the Mithi River Bridge with RCC reflects the broader shift in civil engineering from cast iron toward more durable and resilient materials, ensuring greater safety and longevity for modern rail networks.

Key Market Trends & Insights

• Asia Pacific dominated the industry with a revenue share of 66.9% in 2024. It is one of the world's largest consumers of iron castings. The increasing demand for iron castings in various industries, such as infrastructure and construction, automotive, renewables, machine tooling, and pipes, is anticipated to augment the demand over the forecast period.

• By product, the gray cast iron held a revenue share of over 64.0% in 2024. Its growing applications in various industries, including railways, pipes & fittings, propel the segment growth in the iron casting industry.

• By application, the automotive industry held the revenue share of over 29% in 2024. Engine blocks are usually cast from aluminum alloy or cast iron. Although aluminum offers weight reduction, cast iron is preferred owing to factors such as durability, the ability to resist high internal pressure, more strength, more horsepower, and cost-efficiency.

Order a free sample PDF of the Iron Casting Market Intelligence Study, published by Grand View Research.

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size: USD 117.4 Billion

• 2030 Projected Market Size: USD 172.4 Billion

• CAGR (2025-2030): 6.8%

• Asia Pacific: Largest market in 2024

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Some of the key players operating in the market include Proterial Ltd., LIAONING BORUI MACHINERY CO., LTD (DANDONG FOUNDRY), and Brakes India.

• Proterial Ltd., originally founded as Tobata Foundry in 1910, has evolved into a global leader in high-performance materials manufacturing. The company has a rich history marked by key mergers and acquisitions, including collaborations with Hitachi Metals and other specialized firms.

• Dandong Foundry has nearly 70 years of experience in producing grey iron and ductile iron castings. The company’s annual output reaches 8,000 tons, and 50% of its products are exported to markets such as the U.S., Germany, Australia, UK, Italy, and Japan, reflecting our strong global presence.

Key Players

• Proterial Ltd.

• LIAONING BORUI MACHINERY CO., LTD (DANDONG FOUNDRY)

• Brakes India

• OSCO Industries Inc.

• Chamberlin

• Crescent Foundry

• Georg Fischer Ltd

• Grupo Industrial Saltillo (GIS)

• Newby Holdings Limited

• Castings P.L.C.

• CALMET

Explore Horizon Databook – The world's most expansive market intelligence platform developed by Grand View Research.

Conclusion

The global iron casting market is positioned for significant growth, projected to increase from USD 117.4 billion in 2024 to USD 172.4 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 6.8%. This expansion is primarily driven by escalating worldwide investments in railway infrastructure, which also represents the fastest-growing application segment at an 8.1% CAGR, and the consistent demand for iron cast pipes in water and oil & gas projects. While established markets like railway infrastructure are undergoing modern material replacements—as seen with the Mithi River bridge replacement—which highlights the shift away from brittle cast iron in critical structures, key segments remain robust.