China_Fastener_World_75_W_Screw_Tools_Nuts_Machine_中英文版 by Fastener-World

Leads Globalized Chinese Fasteners: Dominance in Capacity, Quality, Price

海迅引領中國緊固件全球化：產能、質量與價格完美制勝

In recent years, the number of Chinese fastener exhibitors at international trade shows has surged dramatically, highlighting the rapid global expansion of Chinese fasteners. Riding this wave, Hisener has become a trusted fastener partner for global buyers by leveraging strong production capacity, excellent quality control, and highly competitive pricing strategies.

Strong Production Capacity to Meet Diverse Global Demands

Hisener has continuously expanded its production capacity in recent years. The automated smart factory launched in 2022 has significantly improved production efficiency. In early 2025, a new stainless steel product plant was built, equipped with 50 sets of high-efficiency equipment, achieving a monthly output of 300 tons. The total stainless steel monthly capacity has exceeded 500 tons, bi-metal screws maintain a monthly output of 150 tons, and carbon steel products remain stable at 1,500 tons, forming a complete and flexible production system.

This highly efficient and large-scale production setup allows the company to quickly respond to different market and customer needs, providing stable and timely supply assurance. The advanced data monitoring and production process optimization of the smart factory ensure consistent product quality and stable performance with every batch. One of Hisener’s core competitive strengths lies in its strict quality control. The company uses 304, 316, and 410 types of stainless steel materials. Its products cover screws, threaded rods, bolts, nuts, washers, anchor bolts, pins, and fasteners for solar photovoltaic panels, meeting the needs of multiple industries.

Its stainless steel deck screws have obtained the EU CE certification, and its stainless steel wood screws have earned the ETA 22/0584 construction certification. The company is equipped with salt spray and acid rain corrosion resistance testing equipment to conduct uninterrupted 24-hour corrosion resistance tests on every product batch, ensuring excellent performance in harsh environments. The bi-metal screws successfully developed in 2023 combine the properties of stainless steel and alloy steel, showing a maximum penetration force of 12.5 millimeters and strong pull-out resistance. They offer outstanding performance and excellent cost-effectiveness and are widely used in construction, solar energy, and machine manufacturing.

Excellent Cost-Performance to Maximize Value

Utilizing mature processing technology and smart production, the company has successfully lowered production costs while maintaining highly competitive prices without sacrificing quality. General Manager Simon Liang said, "Creating maximum value for clients with high cost-performance during economic downturns is key to our continuous growth and expansion in the global market. Whether in the best or the worst times, Chinese fasteners and Hisener have become indispensable partners in the global industrial chain." Hisener not only solidifies its position in the Chinese market but also effectively penetrates Europe, America, and emerging countries, becoming an essential procurement choice for global buyers.

Adhering to ESG Principles to Build a Foundation for Sustainable Development

Hisener actively practices ESG by integrating sustainable management concepts throughout its corporate governance and production processes. It focuses not only on environmentally friendly product performance but also emphasizes fulfilling social responsibilities, aiming to create long-term value for clients and partners through green manufacturing and good governance. In today’s complex and ever-changing global economic environment, it upholds the belief that "whenever there is demand, the Hisener team will be there." With a passion for quality and flexible market responsiveness, Hisener has laid the foundation for the Chinese fastener industry to advance globally, opening a bright future for the international expansion of Chinese manufacturing.

Simon Liang, General Manager simon@hisener.com

Interview with NFDA President Ed Smith

專訪美國緊固件經銷商協會 (NFDA)理事長Ed Smith

Compiled by Fastener World

Q1:First of all, congratulations on your new appointment as NFDA president. Could you please share your thoughts on being elected as president of the association for 2025-2026? At the same time, could you please briefly talk about your professional background and past industry experience, and how these background and experience will help you play the new role?

A:Thank you, it's truly an honor to give back to an industry that has given me so much over the past 30 years. I got my start in the fastener business as a young man working in a warehouse, learning the ropes of products, operations, and everything in between. I spent nearly two decades in master distribution with Porteous Fastener Company and continued with Brighton-Best after the acquisition. For the past 10 years, I've been part of the Procurement team at Wurth Industry USA.

Having grown from warehouse roles to regional sales at Porteous, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with a wide range of distributors and develop a strong understanding of their needs. Now, on the procurement side at Wurth, I’ve gained a new perspective on the challenges facing distributors—both large and small—and how those challenges continue to evolve.

Q2:Tariffs against all steel and aluminum imports and exchange rates are the top concerns for global fastener manufacturers in 2025. Based on your observation, what are the main impacts of these two issues on the US fastener industry (incl. manufacturers/distributors/importers)?

A:I believe there’s still a fair amount of uncertainty when it comes to tariffs and exchange rates. Tariffs are intended to protect national security and support the revitalization of domestic manufacturing. However, rebuilding the infrastructure needed for steel production—and developing a skilled workforce for fastener manufacturing—will take years. In the meantime, market demand remains steady, and imported fasteners will continue to play an essential role. As for the impact, we’re seeing rising costs and a variety of approaches in how those increases are being passed through different distribution channels.

Q3:Apart from steel and aluminum tariffs and exchange rates, what other issues and trends are also worth paying attention to in the US fastener industry at present?

Business acquisition and consolidation continue to be major trends in the industry. We’re seeing increased activity from private equity firms acquiring companies, as well as closures driven by a range of factors—such as owners retiring or a slowdown in demand forcing businesses to shut their doors.

Q4:(Following Q2 and Q3) Have US fastener distributors and importers responded to these challenges and trends in any way?

That’s a tough question, as the challenges can vary widely depending on where you are in the market. That said, given the ongoing uncertainty, I believe it’s essential for U.S. fastener distributors and importers to stay informed about tariffs, understand how they may impact their business, and be prepared to adapt accordingly.

Q5:Based on the latest market research reports and data indices, which fastener-demanding industries in the US do you think have a potentially growing market?

I believe the markets will continue to be diversified with the growing segments being tied to modernization, sustainability, and high precision manufacturing –namely EV automotive, aerospace/defense, construction/infrastructure, electronics and renewables. Demand is driven by material innovation, manufacturing automation and reshoring of key industries.

Q6:What

are the main plans and goals you wish to accomplish during your tenure as president (internally and externally)?

A:

It’s simple: we must stay true to our mission of helping members thrive in a global marketplace. This means continuing to grow our membership by offering fresh and meaningful learning and networking opportunities at our in-person events. We also want to provide resources that support our members in developing their teams, with a strong focus on attracting and retaining talent in the industry. Additionally, I’d like to see NFDA become more inclusive by welcoming anyone interested in what we offer, even if they feel they don’t quite fit the mold. Give NFDA a chance and let us help change your perspective.

Q7:NFDA maintains close ties with major associations in Europe, the U.S., and Asia, and many NFDA members have close partnerships with overseas fastener manufacturers. How do you plan to assist NFDA members in strengthening their collaboration with key overseas suppliers (especially those in the Taiwanese supply chain) in the future?

A:Many of our members work closely with overseas suppliers, particularly in Taiwan, a key player in the global fastener market. As an association, we aim to support these relationships through open communication and industry collaboration. It’s about giving members the tools to make informed sourcing decisions, wherever opportunity aligns with their needs.

Q8:As Taiwanese fastener manufacturers or other Asian manufacturers are part of the US fastener supply chain, what advice would you give them?

A:My advice is to stay the course and maintain open, frequent communication with your U.S. customers. While we may see shifts in certain commodity products, demand for fasteners produced in Asia and around the world will continue.

Q9:What other important activities or training courses does the NFDA have planned for 2025 and 2026?

We have two events coming up to close out 2025: a virtual session on Fastener Certifications and Test Reports on October 1st, and our Executive Summit in Key West, FL, from October 15th to 17th. Currently, no virtual events are scheduled for 2026, but our Learning Committee is actively reviewing key industry topics and will announce the upcoming schedule soon. Looking ahead to June 2026, we’ll gather in Indianapolis, IN, for our Annual Meeting and ESPS.

Q10: What are your expectations for the market outlook for 2025-2026?

A:I expect market demand to remain steady, with moderate growth through 2026, driven by core industries such as automotive, construction, aerospace, and high-tech manufacturing. Tariffs and exchange rates will continue to be top of mind and will undoubtedly influence sourcing strategies as we adjust to what feels like a new normal.

Q11: Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

A:Thank you for the opportunity to participate in this interview. I’ve been a longtime reader of Fastener World Magazine, and it’s an honor to share some of my insights with fellow readers. I appreciate your time and the chance to contribute.

2025 Ranking of Taiwanese Fastener Companies in China

2025中國緊固件台商排行榜

Source: Commercial Times, Aug. 2025, Top 1,000 Taiwanese Enterprises in China

Sorted by net revenue

Compiled by Fastener World

In the category of fastener manufacturers, a total of 9 companies are ranked in the top 1,000. This is 4 companies more, compared with 5 companies listed last time by Commercial Times. Zhejiang Tong Ming Stainless Steel Products and Gem-Year Industrial continue to remain the top two Taiwanese fastener companies in China. After dropping out of the ranking last year, Xiamen Boltec jumped to third place this year and replaced Suzhou New Best Wire Tech.

The 2025 ranking list includes 4 more entrants than in 2024: Xiamen Boltec, which produces and sells fasteners; Gem-Safe, which sells fasteners; new entrant Xiamen Bolwir (specializing in coiled wire drawing and spheroidizing processing); and new entrant Suzhou Yeswin (producing and selling standard fasteners and parts). Additionally, Zhejiang Tong Ming Stainless Steel Products, Gem-Year Industrial, Suzhou New Best Wire Tech, and Chun Yu (Dongguan) Metal Products have all been on the list continuously for the past three years. Except for Zhejiang Tong Ming, the other three have even appeared on the list for the past four years, making them regulars on the ranking list.

In 2025, the entrants, which are a total of 4 companies, with increased revenue are marked with an upward red arrow. This number stays the same with last year. In terms of revenue growth, Suzhou New Best Wire Tech experienced the highest increase, reaching 3.79%, while Gem-Safe saw the largest decline, dropping by as much as 23.19%. Regarding pre-tax profit margin, the new entrant Suzhou Yeswin ranked the highest, achieving 15.50%.

In 2025, there are 4 companies on the list with revenues exceeding RMB 1 billion, doubling the 2 companies in 2024. Moreover, the total number of entrants has nearly doubled, indicating that the revenue competitiveness of leading Taiwanese-owned fastener companies in China has improved over the past year. Notably, up to three of the listed companies are subsidiaries of QST International, whereas in 2024, QST International had no subsidiaries ranked among the top 1,000. This demonstrates strong revenue growth momentum for QST International in the past year. Gem-Year Industrial also has two subsidiaries on the list. On the other hand, the parent companies of the listed entrants are almost the same as in 2024, revealing that the market of Taiwanese-owned fastener companies in China is overall divided among six dominant players: Tong Ming Enterprise, Gem-Year, New Best Wire Industrial, Tycoons Group Enterprise, Chun Yu Works, and QST International.

CHINFAST: Pioneering Fastener Innovation and Global Market Expansion

Development History

Founded in 2005, CHINFAST boasts two wholly-owned factories, namely Joystart Automotive Parts (Zhejiang) Co., Ltd. and Haiyan Yousun Enterprise Co., Ltd., with an export volume of 8,000 containers in 2023. Deeply rooted in the fastener industry, CHINFAST has established business relationships with more than 500 enterprises worldwide. To further strengthen its connection with the demands of first-tier retailers and distributors in Europe and the United States, CHINFAST Co., Ltd., which has been specializing in industrial fastener production for nearly 20 years, has actively expanded its business over the past five years. It has extended its business from the original focus on the manufacturing of multi-purpose wood screws, timber screw and decking screws to DIY fastener packaging services, aiming to create a new milestone for the sustainable development of the enterprise in the ever-changing global market.

Product Highlights

The main products of CHINFAST are multi-purpose wood screws, trumpet head wood screws, and various window fastener series. Its patented pointed tail design offers superior speed performance compared to ordinary screws. Meeting the 1,200-hour salt spray requirement allows customers with anti-corrosion and rust-proof requirements to use them with greater peace of mind. CHINFAST is currently developing a product with a double-cut tail, which is in the trial production stage. The patented double-cut tail design elevates the product's performance

to a new level. This product combines the advantages of wood screws, self-tapping screws, and self-drilling screws, providing customers with a brand-new and efficient user experience.

Quality Control System

The ERP smart factory management system ensures the traceability of all products from production to packaging. CHINFAST is equipped with double first-class laboratories, and the production process strictly follows the ISO9001 system. With 15 QC personnel, each batch of products must undergo initial inspection, process inspection, warehousing inspection, packaging inspection and final inspection, with records kept online for each step to ensure traceability. The responsibility of CHINFAST's QC team is to prevent any defective products reaching customers. CHINFAST is equipped with advanced cold heading equipment imported from Taiwan, China, which has more stable performance. At the same time, the workshop is equipped with automatic high-rise warehouses, automatic packaging lines and AGV robots, which play an important role in the company's production and packaging of high-quality fasteners.

Overseas Market

Europe is one of the main markets of CHINFAST. In the future, CHINFAST will continue to develop deeply in Europe and expand into the South American and Australian markets. It is believed that with the expansion of these markets, CHINFAST's export volume will reach a new high.

Future Development

As the president of Jiaxing Fastener Import and Export Association, General Manager Yu Fengming has spared no effort to develop the fastener export business. CHINFAST is an enterprise with 20 years of experience in fastener exports, holding ETA and CE certifications, as well as SMETA and BSCI reports. The automated production and packaging standards of JOYSTART also provide a guarantee for CHINFAST to explore

emerging markets. At the same time, as a factory with an average antidumping tax rate in Europe, YOUSUN benefits a larger number of European customers. CHINFAST is familiar to the needs of various markets and can quickly and accurately meet customer requirements, providing customers with high-quality after-sales service. In addition, CHINFAST has an experienced DIY packaging team, which has unparalleled competitiveness in terms of both financial strength and product professionality.

Contact: Mr. George Yu

Email: george@chinfast.com

Article by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief of Fastener World

China Fastener World News

惠達特搜全球新聞

compiled by Fastener World

ASSOCIATION

Dongguan Hardware & Electrical Chamber of Commerce and Fastener Industry Association Deepen Collaboration

東莞五金機電商會與緊固件行業協會深化合作交流

On September 10, the Dongguan Hardware & Electrical Chamber of Commerce and the Fastener Industry Association held a deep discussion on overseas market expansion, employment, and collaboration. They identified growth opportunities in overseas markets like Thailand, the Middle East, and Africa, recommending risk assessments and collaborative strategies. The domestic Chinese market faces intense competition and talent shortages, with high demand for skilled and cross-disciplinary professionals, but recruitment difficulties and high labor costs persist. Both parties pledged to integrate exhibition resources and establish talent platforms to promote skill training and information sharing, jointly fostering industry development and supporting regional economic stability and employment security.

MARKET WATCH: TARIFF

Mexico Plans to Raise Tariffs on Chinese Imports

墨西哥擬提高中國進口關稅

Zhejiang Fastener Industry Association Releases Product Carbon Footprint Standard

浙江省緊固件行業協會發佈碳足跡團體標準

On September 2, 2025, Zhejiang Fastener Industry Association released the group standard titled "Greenhouse Gas Product Carbon Footprint Quantification Methods and Requirements – Fasteners." Led by China Components Test, the standard involved 20 enterprises and 31 industry experts. Initiated in June 2024, the 15-month process included research, company visits, opinion collection, and expert reviews. This standard represents not only a technical guideline but also an industry commitment to shift from quantity to quality and green development. It provides companies with a roadmap to future challenges, bridging Chinese manufacturing with national strategies and the global market, advancing sustainable growth in the fastener industry.

The Mexican government plans to raise tariffs on Chinese imports in its 2026 budget to protect domestic industries from cheap imports and meet U.S. demands. These higher tariffs are expected on goods like cars, steel products, textiles, and plastics to reduce dependency on China and other Asian countries. Mexico’s trade deficit with China has grown, and increased tariffs could boost revenue and ease the budget deficit while improving relations in the USMCA trade agreement with the U.S. and Canada. Chinese cars have gained popularity in Mexico, making it the top global market for these vehicles, but higher tariffs may increase prices and reduce affordability. Industry experts suggest quotas for low-tariff Chinese cars to balance consumer access and international pressure. Mexico currently imposes tariffs ranging from 5% to 50% on many Chinese goods, and the planned tariffs aim to further shield its domestic industries.

German Auto Industry Hit by U.S. Tariffs, Over 50,000 Jobs Cut

德國汽車業遭美國關稅衝擊裁員超 5 萬

Germany’s automotive industry faces severe challenges due to U.S. tariffs and other factors. A recent report by consulting firm Ernst & Young Global shows that approximately 51,500 jobs were lost in Germany’s auto sector over the past year, accounting for nearly 7% of total positions, making it the hardest-hit industrial sector. Major manufacturers like Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen, along with suppliers such as Bosch, Continental, and ZF, have announced costcutting plans, while Porsche plans to significantly reduce its battery-powered vehicle business.

As of June 30, 2025, total industrial employment in Germany fell by 2.1%, equivalent to about 114,000 jobs, with industrial sales declining for eight consecutive quarters, dropping 2.1% year-on-year in Q2. Ernst & Young Global predicts this downward trend in industrial employment will continue.

Industry insiders cite U.S. tariffs, high energy costs, and weak domestic demand as major pressures. Ernst & Young Global’s Germany managing partner Jan Bruecher highlights a steep decline in exports to the U.S., posing clear risks to Germany’s industrial sector and underscoring the need for caution amid ongoing challenges.

INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT

Hebei Steel Supply

Chain Platform Launch Cuts Chinese Fastener Procurement Costs by 28%

河北鋼鐵供應鏈平臺運營，降低緊固件採購成本 28%

Hebei’s steel industry supply chain platform has been operational for over a month, significantly cutting procurement costs for upstream and downstream firms and advancing the sector’s shift from traditional manufacturing to integrated services. The platform’s group purchasing model reduced fastener procurement costs by 28%, while streamlining the procurement process for greater convenience and efficiency. The platform has improved purchasing convenience and reduced expenses.

The platform consolidates orders from over a dozen steel mills, cutting freight, sorting, and warehousing costs. During the trial run, companies pooled nearly RMB 100 million to purchase spare materials, achieving a 28% average price drop on fasteners, 22% reduction on process parts like thermocouples and samplers, and 10% cut on valves. A 20% sales increase and significant logistics savings is gained after collaborating with the platform.

Australia Ends Anti-Subsidy Investigation on Chinese Interchangeable Bolted Clipping Heads

澳洲終止對華可互換夾緊螺栓夾頭反補貼調查

On August 11, 2025, the Australian Anti-Dumping Commission announced the termination of the anti-subsidy investigation on Chinese imports of interchangeable bolted clipping system clip heads. The decision was based on the negligible subsidy margins found for Ningbo Fenghui Metal Products and other Chinese exporters, making the subsidy impact insignificant.

The investigation began in June 2024 following a complaint by Australian company Abey Australia Pty Ltd. It covered imports from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024, with the injury period starting April 1, 2020. In March 2025, the Commission issued a preliminary affirmative anti-dumping determination, imposing provisional dumping duties calculated ad valorem at 31.5% for Ningbo Fenghui and 76.8% for other exporters. However, due to insufficient evidence for subsidies, the anti-subsidy probe continued until now.

The product’s Australian customs code is 7326.90.90.60. The termination of the anti-subsidy investigation provides short-term relief to Chinese exporters, improving their competitive position in the Australian market.

All steel companies in Hebei have joined, covering over 15,000 suppliers and 5,000 customers, and cooperating with more than 60 financial institutions. The platform fosters industrial chain coordination, cost reduction, and competitiveness enhancement. This model provides vital support for the transformation and upgrades of Hebei’s steel industry.

Hyundai Reports USD 600 Million Loss in Q2 Due to U.S. Tariffs

現代汽車 2025 年第二季因美國關稅損失 6 億美元

Hyundai Motor reported a 16% drop in operating profit for Q2 2025, reaching 3.6 trillion KRW (about USD 2.64 billion), down from 4.28 trillion KRW the same period last year. U.S. tariffs on vehicles and parts negatively impacted profits, causing a loss of approximately 828 billion KRW (USD 606 million) in Q2. The company expects even greater impact in the third quarter. The CFO noted the U.S. tariff rate on Korean cars might slightly decrease from the current 25%, though the extent is uncertain. This tariff challenge highlights ongoing trade policy risks for the automotive sector, with Hyundai actively adjusting strategies to sustain competitiveness.

CHINA FASTENER WORLD NEWS

UK Vehicle Production Hits Lowest Level Since 1953

英國汽車產量創 1953 年以來新低

UK car and van production in the first half of 2025 has hit its lowest level since 1953 (excluding Covid lockdowns). Car output fell 7.3%, while van production dropped 45% due to Vauxhall’s Luton plant closure. Uncertainty over US tariffs caused some manufacturers to slow or halt production. A US-UK tariff deal reducing automotive tariffs from 27.5% to 10% took effect at the end of June, boosting June production slightly.

Electric vehicle production grew 1.8%, reaching a record 25% of total output. The UK government reinstated EV grants of up to £3,750, but unclear eligibility criteria have confused manufacturers and consumers. SMMT CEO Mike Hawes described the period as “depressing” but hopes it marks the industry’s bottom. He noted that to meet the government’s target of 1.3 million vehicles per year by 2035, the UK needs one or two new carmakers.

COMPANIES DEVELOPMENT

While EV grants aim to support the market, qualification depends on carbon emissions and verified targets, with details yet unclear. The UK automotive sector is tackling challenges from US tariffs and growing Chinese competition.

Zhengshan Intelligence Successfully Develops 718 Nickel-Based Alloy Bolts

正山智能成功研製 718

Zhengshan Manufacturing Innovation recently announced successful product validation of 718 nickelbased alloy bolts, marking a significant breakthrough in domestic high-end fasteners and breaking longterm foreign monopolies. The bolts use high-temperature resistant alloy materials with carefully balanced iron, nickel, chromium, and molybdenum, offering excellent pressure and corrosion resistance suitable for aerospace, petrochemical, and other advanced sectors. Supported by a national laboratory and over 50 advanced testing devices, the company achieves over 99% product testing coverage. Their self-developed digital management platform ensures over 95% equipment connectivity, enhancing R&D efficiency and product quality. The company holds three intellectual property rights related to data and optimizes production costs through multi-process integration. It plans to continue advancing technological innovation, expand global competitiveness, and promote the domestic substitution of high-end fasteners.

CHINA FASTENER WORLD NEWS

Essence Fastening Reports 36.8% Revenue Growth in H1 2025

超捷股份 2025 上半年營收增長 36.8%

Essence Fastening reported revenue of 391 million RMB in the first half of 2025, a 36.8% increase year-on-year, with net profit rising 21.86% to 21.7 million RMB. The company develops high-strength precision fasteners and special connectors, mainly used in automotive turbochargers, transmission controls, exhaust systems, and new energy vehicle battery modules. Essence Fastening is advancing import substitution and expanding into high-end markets through innovation and differentiated strategies.

Notably, its fasteners are now applied in aerospace and robotics, with small-volume orders for humanoid robots. The company plans to adjust capacity based on demand, steadily growing its aerospace sector.

Finework (Hunan) Actively Cultivates Aerospace Fastener Business

飛沃科技積極培育太空緊固件業務

Finework achieved RMB 1.165 billion in revenue in the first half of 2025, up 81.42% year-on-year, with a net profit of approximately RMB 29.6 million, turning profitable. Wind power fastener shipments continued to grow, supported by low steel prices which improved profit margins. The company specializes in high-strength fasteners mainly used in wind power, while expanding into aerospace, gas turbines, and other high-end sectors.

Finework expects the global wind power market to grow rapidly, projecting an 8.8% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. To diversify, it launched an aerospace fastener production line, entering key domestic supply chains. In June, the company signed a strategic deal with Germany’s Heggemann to enhance aerospace fastener design, verification, and manufacturing.

CHINA FASTENER WORLD NEWS

JZNEE Expands Middle East New Energy Market with Overseas Subsidiaries

In June 2025, Jiangsu Zhenjiang New Energy Equipment announced plans to establish subsidiaries to expand its overseas business. Its subsidiary will set up a holding company in Hong Kong with a USD 5 million investment. This Hong Kong entity will then establish a subsidiary in Saudi Arabia with an investment of about RMB 35.81 million.

The Saudi Arabia subsidiary aims to leverage the stable political environment and strong economy in Saudi Arabia, the largest economy in the Middle East and North Africa, to capture growing demand for photovoltaic fasteners in the regional new energy market. This move also helps JZNEE address escalating U.S. and European tariff barriers and strengthen its global market presence.

JZNEE’s 2024 report showed fastener business revenue of RMB 335.18 million with a 24.58% gross margin, up 1.13% year-on-year. Overseas revenue accounted for 76.8% of total sales, about RMB 2.94 billion, underscoring the company’s export strength. This overseas investment marks a strategic step to deepen JZNEE’s internationalization and expand in the Middle East new energy sector.

Fastenright Celebrates 15 Years Supporting Major Projects in South Africa

Fastenright 慶祝 15 周年助力南非重大工程

Fastenright, South Africa’s leading stainless steel fastener supplier, celebrates 15 years of steady growth and success. Founded with a vision to provide unmatched quality and service, Fastenright now stocks about 10,000 products across four warehouses, with a fifth under construction, ensuring swift delivery for diverse industries where even small fastener failures can cause costly downtime.

Managing Director Rainer Lutz reflects on the challenges of building a specialized supplier and credits his team and key partners for their dedication. Fastenright’s products are vital in major projects, such as supplying over 15,000 fasteners for Milnerton’s historic wooden bridge restoration and securing the corrosion-resistant MeerKAT radio telescope in Northern Cape.

The company specializes in high-grade stainless steels including acid-resistant A4-80 and duplex grades 2205 and 904L, with select sizes stocked for urgent orders. Fastenright also supplies fasteners for water treatment, marine, and industrial applications.

Looking ahead, Fastenright aims to expand in renewable energy sectors, particularly solar, by partnering with global leaders to offer a reliable local alternative with extensive inventory and fast delivery. Lutz reaffirms the company’s commitment to quality, service, and lasting customer relationships in South Africa and beyond.

Optimas Launches QuickShip Program to Address Fastener Inventory Shortages

Optimas 推出 QuickShip 計劃解決緊固件庫存短缺問題

Optimas Solutions launched its QuickShip program to solve inventory shortages affecting OEMs and distributors. Operating from their Wood Dale, Illinois facility, the program offers a rapid lead time of 1 to 4 weeks for externally threaded fasteners sized 2mm to 20mm diameter and 5mm to 220mm length.

QuickShip integrates Optimas’ engineering, tooling, cold heading, threading, and local secondary processing—including heat treatment and plating—to dramatically reduce the usual 8 to 16-week lead times. Daniel Harms, CEO of Optimas Americas, said the program offers a seamless, efficient solution that prevents downtime from part shortages.

Featuring over 40 thread styles and 6 licensed drive types with IATF and ISO certifications, QuickShip ensures highquality parts. VP Chris Martens emphasized the program’s agility and cost-effectiveness, enabling manufacturers to quickly access precision-engineered components to keep operations smooth.

Ranked 8th in fasteners on MDM’s 2025 Top Distributors list, Optimas reported USD 635 million in 2024 revenue, reflecting its strong position in the market.

CHINA FASTENER WORLD NEWS

ACQUISITIONS

Riverspan Acquires United Titanium to Boost Specialty Alloy Fastener Market

Riverspan 收購 United Titanium 推動特殊合金緊固件市場發展

Riverspan Partners has acquired United Titanium, a leading manufacturer of fasteners and components for aerospace, defense, and medical industries. Founded in 1962 and headquartered in Wooster, Ohio, United Titanium offers over 14,000 SKUs made from specialty metals like titanium, zirconium, and tantalum. Products include hex head bolts, socket head cap screws, and pipe fittings, used where corrosion resistance and strength are critical.

Led by President Mike Reardon, United Titanium has built strong market positions and long-term customer relationships. Riverspan partner Dave Thomas expressed commitment to enhancing innovation and service to support continued growth. According to Verified Market Research, the global titanium fasteners market was valued at USD 4.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 7.2 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 7.5%. Growth is driven primarily by aerospace and defense demand for lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant materials, along with expanding automotive, medical, and marine sectors.

Founded in 2022 and based in Chicago, Riverspan focuses on lower middle-market industrial companies with EBITDA between USD 5 million and USD 35 million. This acquisition positions United Titanium for further expansion and strengthens Riverspan’s industrial portfolio in specialty alloy fasteners.

Mesa Fastener Inc. Acquired by Investment Firm

Mesa Fastener

San Diego fastener distributor Mesa Fastener Inc. was acquired last month by investment firm Raymond Capital Management, according to a recent announcement from the company’s advisory firm.

Generational Group stated that Mesa, founded in 1977 as a provider of tapping screws for mobile home awnings, now stocks over 10,000 unique products and supplies commercial threaded fasteners— including blind rivets, bolts, nuts, anchors, washers, and other specialty items— to various industries across the Southwest.

The announcement noted that Raymond Capital Management builds “resilient, high-performing industrial brands” through acquisitions and expertise. The St. Louisbased firm offers distribution, inventory management, custom manufacturing, and analytics capabilities.

The deal, which closed on August 11, did not disclose its terms.

Jiangsu ZSA

Nickel-Based Vanguard — "High-Temperature Alloy Fastener "

Jiangsu ZSA Industry is a leading high-tech enterprise in China specializing in non-standard manufacturing. It is dedicated to the research, production, and sales of nickel-based high-temperature alloy fasteners, precision mechanical components, and petrochemical fittings. Its products serve industries including petrochemical, dyeing and textile, aerospace, nuclear power, marine shipping, and new energy sectors. With a comprehensive and scientific quality management system and ISO9001 quality certification, it has established a robust quality assurance that is highly trusted in the industry.

The factory covers over 9,000 square meters and is equipped with more than 60 sets of advanced machinery, including machining centers, CNC lathes, wire-cutting machines, forging machines, threading machines, tapping machines, as well as heat treatment and inspection equipment. Monthly production capacity stabilizes at 50,000 pieces, supporting a wide range of customization needs. Such formidable capacity not only improves delivery efficiency but also helps clients accelerate project advancements.

Comprehensive Supply of High-Strength Fasteners

The company leverages strong technical expertise to produce a diverse range of fasteners, from 12-point bolts and nuts, hex flange bolts and nuts, to all-metal lock nuts, internal star screws, and even custom non-standard parts made to drawings or samples. These products are used in stringent industrial environments such as petrochemical and aerospace sectors, where requirements for high and low temperature resistance, corrosion resistance, high strength, and fatigue endurance are extremely demanding.

Its INCONEL 718-grade 12-point bolts are especially notable, reaching strength grades of 12.9 and even 14.9, while maintaining excellent mechanical properties at ultra-low temperatures, used in oil extraction and aerospace applications. The recently launched 14.9-grade high-temperature alloy fasteners, along with internal and external hex bolts and self-locking products, demonstrate the company’s deep mastery in processing mid-to-high grade materials.

International Market and Certification Expansion, Quality Recognized Worldwide

The company’s main markets are the UK, Germany, and the USA, accounting for 35%, 15%, and 10% of sales respectively, fully proving its products’ quality and technical standards meet high-end international market demands. It is actively applying for CE certification and has begun obtaining API certification for some products, strengthening its competitiveness and recognition in global markets.

It understands client needs, maintains intensive communication and feedback, and enforces strict quality inspection to ensure every product meets client expectations. It emphasizes full staff participation in quality control and continuously improves quality and client satisfaction through the adoption of new technologies and process optimization, maintaining a leading position in the industry.

Future Blueprint: R&D Innovation and International Brand Building

Looking ahead, it continues investing resources to strengthen R&D capabilities, expand advanced equipment introduction, and optimize product performance. It plans to continue expanding its product lines and focus on building its own brand "ZSA," moving decisively toward becoming an internationally recognized manufacturer of high-end fasteners.

Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Dean Tseng

Jiangsu ZSA Industry’s contact: Jack Liu, General Manager

Fastener Demand from High-Speed Rail Construction China

China’s HSR Build-out: Where the Track Miles are Headed

China’s HSR network reached ~48,000 km by the end of 2024. China State Railway’s public targets indicate ~60,000 km by 2030, embedded in a broader rail network goal of ~180,000 km by that date, while earlier planning set an ambition of ~70,000 km of HSR by 2035.

This pipeline matters because fastener consumption scales directly with trackkilometers (not just route-kilometers). Most Chinese HSR corridors are double-track, so every new route-km usually implies 2 trackkm of fastener-intensive rail. A 12,000-km increase in operating HSR mileage from 2025 to 2030 therefore likely translates to ~24,000 track-km of new fastener demand, with additional volumes for turnouts, station throats, and depots.

China’s HSR foundation technology is dominated by ballastless (slab) track—CRTS I/ II/III variants—engineered for high speed, low maintenance, and tight geometry control. These designs rely on resilient fasteners that clamp the rail to baseplates or directly to concrete slabs; materials and pad stiffness are tuned to speed, axle load, and bridge/tunnel dynamics.

Track Fasteners: the Core of Demand

Spacing and unit counts per kilometre: In slab-track HSR, rail fastening assemblies are typically placed at intervals of ~0.60–0.65 m along each rail. Academic and industry references show common sleeper/rail-seat spacings near 0.60 m for high-speed applications, while Chinese research and tests often use 0.65 m for CRTS II field experiments and modelling.

Using 0.65 m as a baseline spacing:

• Positions per rail-km = 1,000 m / 0.65 m ≈ 1,538 fastening points.

• Each track-km has two rails, so ≈ 3,076 fastening assemblies per track-km.

• If we assume double-track construction, a typical route-km then consumes ≈ 6,152 assemblies (not counting turnouts/special trackwork).

• To show the sensitivity, a 0.60 m spacing would increase counts by ~8%:

• 1,000 / 0.60 = 1,667 per rail-km, or 3,334 per track-km; 6,668 per route-km.

These densities are directionally consistent with UIC/HSR engineering norms for resilient fastenings in high-speed service.

Projecting 2025–2030 new-build demand: From ~48,000 km (the end of 2024) to ~60,000 km by 2030, net operating HSR increases by ~12,000 km. Treat that as new double-track put into service (the practical reality may include phased openings and upgrades, but the aggregate impact on fastener demand is similar).

• Track-km added ≈ 12,000 route-km × 2 = 24,000 track-km.

• Fastener assemblies (baseline 0.65 m): 24,000 × 3,076 ≈ 73.8 million assemblies.

• Range (0.60–0.65 m): roughly 73–80 million assemblies for the same build-out.

This excludes turnouts, where special fasteners (switches, crossings, guard rails) have higher density and specialized parts, and station/yard complex geometry. Factoring those in can add several percent to totals depending on corridor design.

Beyond the Rails: Many Other Fastener “Hotspots”

While rail-seating fasteners represent the single largest category by count, high-speed rail projects in China consume vast numbers of additional steel fixings across multiple domains. Bridges and viaducts stand out as particularly intensive consumers, since Chinese HSR networks are heavily elevated on long viaducts and box-girder bridges. For instance, approximately 1,268 kilometers of the Beijing–Shanghai high-speed railway is ballastless, and around 87 percent of that corridor runs on elevated structures. This design choice implies a massive demand for structural connections and embedded anchors. Expansion joints, bearing fixings, parapets, access walkways, noise barriers, inspection gantries, and drainage hardware all rely on bolts and anchors engineered to withstand vibration, thermal cycling, and long-term corrosion exposure.

Tunnels also add significantly to fastener demand. In these underground environments, fixings are essential for anchoring cable trays, emergency systems, track slab dowels, and equipment cabinets. High-speed tunnel aerodynamics present unique challenges, as pressure pulses and crosswinds at portals exert dynamic forces that increase performance requirements for fasteners and their supporting structures.

The overhead contact system (OCS), the backbone of electric traction, is another major consumer of fasteners. Every mast, cantilever, bracket, insulator, steady arm, and sectioning device depends on structural and electrical fixings. Given that typical HSR mainline span lengths range from 50 to 60 meters between supports, each kilometer of double-track line can require 17 to 20 masts, depending on terrain and design. Each of these installations translates into

hundreds of structural fasteners for baseplates and ancillary hardware, with the numbers varying according to wind zones, bridge versus earthwork alignments, and the specific contact wire configuration

Stations, depots, and mechanical and electrical (M&E) facilities also constitute a vast consumption base. Platform screen doors— where deployed—require precision-engineered fasteners, while HVAC systems, cable trays, fire suppression infrastructure, signaling racks, and traction power equipment demand large volumes of stainless steel or corrosion-protected bolts and anchors to ensure reliability and safety.

In parallel, signaling and communications systems add their own requirements. The deployment of CTCS-3 train control, lineside cabinets, and extensive fiber-optic networks involves mounting hardware and vibration-rated fasteners designed for both stability and longevity under continuous service conditions.

Lifecycle Replacement Demand

Quantitatively, lifecycle replacement is an increasingly significant factor. Under normal operating conditions, elastic fasteners (e.g., WJ-8 family) require inspection every 2–3 years, with partial replacement cycles typically every 8–12 years depending on corridor speed, axle load, and climate. Assuming an average 10% replacement of assemblies per decade, the existing network of ~45,000 km implies demand for at least 40–45 million replacement fasteners by 2030—independent of expansion. As the network grows toward 60,000 km, cumulative replacement needs could reach 60–65 million units per decade, effectively creating a permanent parallel market alongside new construction. By 2035, if 70,000 km of HSR is realized, annualized demand could average 8–10 million replacement fasteners per year, rivaling new-build consumption even if expansion moderates.

Summary

China’s high-speed rail program continues to stand out as a uniquely large, policy-anchored engine for fastener demand.

The near-term bellwether is progress toward the 60,000-kilometer milestone by 2030, which would add an estimated 74–80 million rail-seat fastening assemblies under standard spacing assumptions.

This figure grows substantially when one accounts for turnouts, overhead contact system hardware, and the immense volumes of bridge, tunnel, and station-related fixings. Beyond 2030, the vision of reaching 70,000 kilometers by 2035 remains a credible long-range anchor, provided policy momentum and fiscal support remain steady.

Even if network expansion slows or flexes with broader fiscal realities, the scale of China’s HSR infrastructure ensures that inspection, replacement, and upgrade cycles will sustain a large and durable market for fasteners well into the next decade. By 2035, the interplay of expansion, lifecycle management, and technical evolution positions the fastener sector as both a critical enabler of reliability and a beneficiary of one of the most ambitious transportation programs in modern history.

References

https://english.www.gov.cn/news/202501/02/content_WS67764b48c6d0868f4e8ee732.html?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://www.reuters.com/article/world/china-plans-to-expand-railway-network-to-200000-km-before-2035-idUSKCN2590RM/?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://uic.org/IMG/pdf/uic-railway-induced-vibration-report-2017.pdf?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://academic.oup.com/iti/article/doi/10.1093/iti/liac023/6883951?utm_source=chatgpt.com&login=false https://www.researchgate.net/publication/346381558_Analysis_on_mechanical_characteristics_of_welded_joint_with_a_new_reinforced_device_in_high-speed_railway https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10450751/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Opportunities of Wind Power Fasteners in China

Introduction

China has become the undisputed leader in global wind power. By the end of 2024, its installed wind capacity exceeded 520 GW, accounting for more than one-third of the world’s total. Offshore projects have expanded particularly fast, reaching nearly 40 GW, making China the largest offshore wind market worldwide. As the country pushes toward its carbon neutrality target by 2060, this momentum will only intensify.

Behind every turbine stands a vast ecosystem of industrial suppliers. Among the most critical yet often overlooked components are fasteners, bolts, nuts, studs, and other elements that hold together towers, nacelles, and blades. Their performance directly affects the stability, safety, and service life of wind installations. For China, which already commands a strong industrial fastener base, this presents a major growth opportunity in both domestic and export markets.

Wind Power Growth in China and Its Implications for Fasteners

By late 2024, China had surpassed 520 GW of wind power capacity, reinforcing its position as the world’s largest market. Offshore wind alone grew from less than 5 GW in 2018 to nearly 40 GW in 2024. This rapid expansion means demand for specialized fasteners has surged.

Each utility-scale turbine requires thousands of fasteners, many of which must withstand extreme vibration, high mechanical loads, and harsh weather conditions. As turbines increase in size, with offshore models now exceeding 15 MW, fasteners must be larger, stronger, and equipped with advanced coatings to prevent corrosion. These requirements elevate the sector from a commodity market to a field of highly engineered, high-value components.

Global Wind Power Fasteners Market and Asia-Pacific Leadership

The global wind power fasteners market has grown in lockstep with the rapid expansion of wind energy capacity worldwide. Fasteners are critical to the structural performance of turbines, ensuring that towers remain stable, blades securely attached, and nacelles properly aligned. As turbine designs evolve and offshore projects scale up, the demand for advanced fasteners is increasing significantly.

According to industry research, the global wind power fasteners market was valued at USD 5.2 billion in 2023 and is forecast to reach USD 8.7 billion by 2032, registering a CAGR of 6.5%. This growth reflects both the sheer scale of new wind installations and the rising technical requirements for components.

• Demand drivers: Over 127 GW of new wind capacity was added globally in 2024 alone, an all-time record, with more than 23,000 turbines installed. Each turbine requires tens of thousands of fasteners, many of them oversized or customized for structural applications.

• Technical shift: As turbines surpass 15 MW capacity offshore, the size and grade of fasteners must increase accordingly. Larger diameters, higher strength classes, and advanced coatings are now the industry norm.

• Offshore premium: Offshore installations represent the fastestgrowing segment of the wind industry. They require marine-grade bolts, studs, and nuts with anti-corrosion coatings that can endure saltwater and humidity for decades.

Geographically, the Asia-Pacific region leads the market, accounting for the largest regional share. China dominates installations, representing more than one-third of global wind capacity. This leadership translates into unmatched demand for wind fasteners, both for onshore and offshore projects.

Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Shervin Shahidi Hamedani

With its vast industrial production base, China is uniquely positioned to not only supply its own projects but also shape the global supply chain of wind-certified fasteners. The combination of large-scale demand, advanced engineering requirements, and export potential underscores why AsiaPacific, and China in particular, sits at the center of the global market for wind fasteners.

Opportunities in the Chinese Market

a) Industrial base: China’s overall industrial fastener market exceeded USD 12 billion in 2024, projected to double by 2032. With strong manufacturing capabilities, the transition toward higher-value fasteners tailored for wind applications offers significant margin expansion.

b) Offshore wind growth: With nearly 40 GW of offshore capacity already installed, China is the world’s largest offshore wind market. Offshore turbines, operating in corrosive marine environments, require advanced coatings and materials. Demand for marine-grade bolts, studs, and nuts will grow rapidly as more projects move from planning to construction.

c) Technical innovation: Next-generation turbines demand longer, stronger bolts and advanced coatings such as Dacromet and hot-dip galvanization. High-strength grades (8.8–12.9) and oversized diameters (20–42 cm) are increasingly becoming standard. This creates opportunities for suppliers capable of producing specialized products with consistent quality and certification.

d) Export potential: As Chinese turbine manufacturers expand globally, they are creating export channels for domestic fastener suppliers. International certification and compliance with ISO and IEC standards will be essential for success in these markets.

Challenges and Barriers

While opportunities are vast, the sector faces significant challenges that must be addressed to ensure sustainable growth. Wind power fasteners operate under some of the harshest conditions in the industrial sector. They must resist constant vibration, cyclic fatigue, and in offshore projects, severe marine corrosion. These requirements raise the stakes for quality control and standardization.

Another challenge is cost volatility. Steel and alloy prices fluctuate widely, squeezing margins for manufacturers. At the same time, pressure from turbine OEMs to lower component costs often conflicts with the need for higher-quality fasteners. Balancing price competitiveness with durability and compliance is a delicate challenge for suppliers.

Finally, maintenance and logistics remain problematic. Turbines are often located in remote inland regions or offshore waters, where replacing defective fasteners is difficult and costly. This underscores the need for products that minimize replacement cycles and extend service life.

Key barriers include:

• Cost pressures from raw material fluctuations.

• Lack of uniform standards and certification among smaller suppliers.

• Harsh operating environments that complicate installation and maintenance.

Key Opportunity Areas

Despite these barriers, the market holds strong opportunities for players that innovate and align with evolving industry needs. The most promising areas are linked to offshore wind expansion, the growing size of turbines, and the global trend toward higher engineering standards.

Chinese manufacturers, already experienced in producing industrial fasteners at scale, can capture premium value by focusing on specialization rather than volume. By developing advanced coatings, larger-diameter bolts, and even smart monitoring solutions, they can establish leadership not only domestically but also globally.

Segment Opportunity

High-strength bolts & studs Required for oversized turbines, fatigueresistant and certified.

Offshore applications Rising demand for marine-grade fasteners with advanced anti-corrosion coatings.

Coating technologies Development of zinc-aluminum, ceramic, or polymer coatings to extend lifespan.

Export channels Aligning with ISO/IEC standards to supply international wind projects.

Smart fasteners Sensor-enabled fasteners to monitor stress and loosening in real time.

Outlook and Strategic Guidance

The outlook for wind power fasteners in China is highly positive, but success will depend on moving beyond commodity production. The opportunity lies in engineering excellence, certification, and integration into global supply chains.

Strategic recommendations for market players include:

• Shift up the value chain: Focus on high-performance products for utility-scale and offshore turbines rather than generic fasteners.

• Invest in R&D: Explore new alloys, advanced coatings, and even smart monitoring systems to meet evolving demands.

• Prioritize certification: Compliance with ISO, DIN, and IEC standards will open both domestic mega-projects and export opportunities.

• Build partnerships: Collaborate closely with turbine OEMs and EPC contractors to secure long-term supply agreements.

China’s ambition in renewable energy ensures that demand for wind fasteners will grow steadily through the next decade. For suppliers willing to innovate, specialize, and internationalize, the sector represents one of the most dynamic and profitable opportunities in the industrial fastener industry today.

References

• DataIntelo (2024). Global Wind Power Fastener Market Report.

• Credence Research (2024). China Industrial Fasteners Market Report.

• Global Wind Energy Council (2025). Wind Turbine Suppliers Deliver Record Volume.

• China Energy Administration (2024). National Power Capacity Statistics.

• JNZCSB (2025). Outlook of the Power Generation Fasteners Market.

Innovative Design, The Benchmark for Auto-Feeding Machine Quality

垚林創新設計成就自動加料機品質標竿

Amid the global wave of industrial automation, Dongguan Yaolin

Machinery has emerged as a highly regarded expert in machinery manufacturing for the hardware and fastener industry through continuous innovation and standardized processes. From its founding, Yaolin recognized that existing auto-feeding machines on the market were generally simple in structure, inefficient, and spaceconsuming. Therefore, the company invested heavily in R&D to optimize these machines, creating standardized specifications and outstanding performance. Its design philosophy has become an industry benchmark followed by many to improve quality.

Highly Recommended: Yaolin Auto-Feeding Machines and Packaging Machines

The company operates a 1,500-square-meter factory on a 3,000-square-meter site, integrating design, R&D, production, and sales. Its main products include three types: auto-feeding and packaging machines, vision sorting machines, and factory automation feeding lines. These products not only greatly enhance clients' production efficiency and product quality but also effectively optimize processes to save costs and improve the cleanliness and aesthetics of manufacturing space, offering clients a full-range upgrade experience.

Among the company’s flagship products, auto-feeding machines and packaging machines stand out as indispensable production tools in the fastener and hardware processing industries. Yaolin’s vision sorting machines, leveraging advanced optical technology, have received high industry acclaim, helping users achieve highprecision sorting, reduce defect rates, and maintain excellent final product quality.

High Output, Customization, Lifetime Warranty

In terms of R&D investment, the company has spent over 10 years developing a standardized platform, laying the foundation for large-scale production and support services. Compared with other machinery manufacturers who can produce only three to five units, Yaolin can deliver between 200 to 500 machines, offering mature, customizable solutions tailored to various working conditions to ensure clients receive the most suitable automated systems. Yaolin’s machines are maintenance-free with low failure rates, and all parts are standardized for fast supply and interchangeability, effectively reducing costs. The company also provides thoughtful after-sales service with a lifetime product warranty, ensuring a worry-free user experience.

Promising Prospects in Japan and Emerging Markets

Yaolin’s clients are widely distributed, with products marketed globally. The company has achieved great success in Southeast Asia and Japan and is actively expanding into the Turkish market. Its main service sectors include fasteners, roller bearings, motor cores, and capacitors. Moving forward, Yaolin will continue to expand production capacity and sales scale, actively exploring global markets and partnerships. The entire team is committed to becoming clients’ most trusted productivity partner, supporting continuous growth and innovation. Yaolin sincerely looks forward to collaborating with more industry leaders to jointly create a bright future of smart automated manufacturing.

WUXI WUDA —Precision Thread Technology Drives Fastener Upgrades

Wuxi Wuda Machinery Technology focuses on advanced thread technology and innovative product R&D, striving to elevate thread inspection capabilities to top international standards. They not only break through the limitations of conventional steel threaded inserts but also develop special wires and elastic threaded fasteners. By combining self-designed fastening structures, they effectively enhance tensile strength, high and low-temperature resistance, and corrosion resistance, while also addressing anti-loosening and rapid installation.

Wuda’s plant covers 7,500 square meters, with a building area of 5,000 square meters, equipped with nearly 120 advanced production machines. They produce 500 million threaded parts and inserts annually, widely supplying lightweight new energy, military, aerospace, and automation industries. They mainly export to Singapore, the U.S., and Norway, actively expanding its international sales network.

They have strong independent R&D capabilities, designing high-speed coiling machines, wire drawing machines, and dies, while applying digital technology to strictly control raw material supply, rough threading and fine threading quality. Through environmentally friendly cleaning, optical CCD sorting, and digital coating processes, they produce outstanding quality comparable to imported products, while also meeting clients’ customization requirements.

Looking ahead, they adhere to the "5S" management philosophy, aiming to become the best enterprise in the hearts of clients, suppliers, shareholders, employees, and society. Not only leveraging expertise, specialization, uniqueness, and excellence in technology to continuously promote the upgrade of the threaded insert industry, they also hope to create value growth for every trusting clients through innovation and integrity, becoming an irreplaceable leader in the industry. Wuxi Wuda is shaping a new quality for fasteners with professionalism and innovation, leading China’s thread technology into a new golden age!

Wuxi Wuda Machinery Technology’s contact: Jenny Chen Email: jennychen@5shardware.com

Malaxy’s New Chapter: Expanding into Russia & Latin America

With 24 years of experience and a global perspective, Shanghai Malaxy Industry expands into emerging markets for China’s fastener export opportunity and succeeds with its "pain point resolution + value co-creation + leveraging universal advantages" strategy. Founding its first plant in 2001 in Haiyan, it started with fastener surface treatment chemicals for upstream technical support. Its 2nd factory in 2006 tapped into full-line stamping parts and screws, integrating supply with manufacturing. In 2021, Malaxy as its window for global export was established by merging the two factories’ capacity and technology, supplying quality fasteners utilizing manufacturing, export, and service.

Excellent Quality with a Defect Rate Below 0.2%

Products include self-tapping/drilling screws, wood screws, machine screws, and stamped parts, offering DIY customized packaging, materials, and printing to satisfy constructors, distributors and marts. The 8,000 sqm facility completed with cold heading, drill point, thread rolling, auto-packaging, 300-ton stamping machines and lathes ensures products meet top standards through the quality inspection unit and lab.

Expanding Sales in Russia & Latin America

Taking most orders from Germany, UK and Australia and exporting to Europe and Latin America, Malaxy sees potential in emerging markets and locks on Russia and Latin America. In Russia, it resolves payment and settlement issues through compliant payment processes and leverages CE-certified products with consistent quality, boosting customer confidence. In Latin America, it leverages local experience to ensure smooth customs clearance and reduces sea freight by 15-20% through container consolidation and booking strategies. With stable

Shanghai Malaxy Industry’s contact: Max Ho, General Manager Email: ok@malaxygroup.com

production, customization, DIY packaging, and responsive delivery (standard parts shipment in 3-5 days, custom parts in 5-14 days, urgent orders responded in 24 hours), it provides cost-effective, flexible solutions strengthening market position.

Expansion and Upgrade for Global Strategic Mapping

Malaxy strives for over 3.0% annual sales growth in emerging markets and enhances local language support to gain 20% response speed. It plans 4 additional auto-packaging lines and laser sorting machines to improve capacity and quality inspection, shortening lead times. Malaxy seeks working with more partners, ushering in a new golden age for the fastener industry.

Analysis of Aerospace Fastener Market in China

Introduction

China's aerospace sector has expanded rapidly, fuelling demand for highperformance fasteners. And fasteners in this sector must withstand immense stresses, temperature extremes, and vibrations to secure critical parts of aircraft, spacecraft, and military systems.

Market Size & Growth

Globally, the aerospace fastener market was valued at approximately USD 6 to 7 billion in 2024, with projections to reach USD 10 to 12 billion by 2030. China’s domestic aerospace fastener market currently represents over 8% of the global market, translating to more than USD 530 million in 2024. Looking ahead, industry reports anticipate China’s market size exceeding USD 3 billion by 2030, reflecting a robust CAGR of over 8%.

Market Drivers

Domestic Aerospace Expansion, such as China’s aerospace industry encompassing commercial (e.g., COMAC C919), military (J-20, J-31), and space exploration endeavours, is on an aggressive growth trajectory.

• Commercial Aviation – COMAC C919

- Order Backlog & Ambitions

As of 2024, the COMAC C919 had an order book of 1,000 units, valued at roughly USD 100 billion COMAC aims to capture 20% of the global narrowbody market and 33% of the domestic Chinese market by 2035, projecting 2,000 sales of the C919 by 2037.

- Broader Aircraft Demand Projections

Boeing is forecasting that China will need 8,560 new commercial airplanes through 2042 , driven by economic growth well above the global average and increasing demand for domestic air travel. China's commercial airliner fleet will more than double to nearly 9,600 jets over the next 20 years, according to Boeing's Commercial Market Outlook (CMO), the company's long-term forecast of demand for commercial airplanes and related services.

• Military Aviation – (J-20 and J-31)

- J-20 Production & Future Projection

Production has ramped significantly since inception. Estimates show:

• End of 2023: over 200 J-20s produced, with more than 70 added between mid-2023 and mid-2024. Mid-2024 estimates range between 195 aircraft in service up to 250 produced, with an annual output rate of about 100 aircraft/year. A conservative projection suggests up to 800 J-20s by 2030.

Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Behrooz Lotfian

• Additional expert commentary notes the J-20 production is running at ~100 aircraft per year.

• Space Exploration & Satellite Infrastructure

• Space Technology Market: China’s space technology market was valued at USD 53.8 million in 2024, with forecasts projecting growth to USD 95.4 million by 2030— a CAGR of ~10.6%.

• China contributes approximately 11.5% of the global space technology market and is expected to lead the Asia-Pacific region in revenue terms by 2030.

• Commercial Space (Low-Altitude Economy & Satellites)

The broader “low-altitude economy,” including drone operations and emerging commercial airspace services, is expected to grow fivefold to RMB 3.5 trillion (approx. USD 490 billion) by 2035.

• The commercial space sector is projected to reach RMB 2.8 trillion (US$389 billion) by 2025, driven by satellite constellations, reusable launch tech, and deep-space investments.

- Space Situational Awareness

The market for satellite tracking, space object detection, and related services in China was estimated at USD 45.16 million in 2023, and is projected to grow to USD 386.56 million by 2035, reflecting a robust CAGR of ~20.8%.

- Satellite Infrastructure (Mega-constellations)

China is planning a massive satellite initiative— launching 648 satellites by end-2025 as part of a 1,296-satellite first construction phase, leading up to a total constellation size of 15,000+ satellites.

- Civil Space Achievements

Under CNSA oversight, China’s space program has achieved milestones such as:

o Landing on the far side of the Moon (Chang'e 4),

o Lunar sample return missions (Chang'e 5 & 6),

o Successful Mars rover operation (Tianwen-1),

o Ongoing asteroid exploration (Tianwen-2)

Challenges

(a) Technical Gaps: Despite rapid growth, many Chinese fastener manufacturers still operate with early-generation designs using basic materials like carbon structural steel. High-end applications—such as in nuclear power, automotive, and aerospace—require advanced, high-strength, fatigue-resistant fasteners, where domestic R&D needs enhancement.

(b) Competitive Pressure & Supply Chain Vulnerabilities: The market features intense competition from both local and global players. Profitability is squeezed amid raw material price volatility and geopolitical uncertainties that can disrupt supply chains.

(c) Import Dependence for Advanced Materials: Cutting-edge aerospace applications often still depend on imported materials or components. Ensuring quality while developing local substitutes remains a growing but challenging objective.

Innovation & Technological Trends

In the Chinese aerospace fastener market, innovation is increasingly shaped by the adoption of advanced materials, smarter manufacturing processes, and environmentally compliant surface treatments. One of the most prominent shifts is the growing use of titanium alloys, high-performance superalloys such as MP35N , and composite materials. These advanced materials not only contribute to significant weight reduction but also enhance strength and thermal stability—key requirements in both commercial and military aerospace applications (Global Market Insights Inc.; Mordor Intelligence; Credence Research Inc.). Their integration into China’s production ecosystem reflects the country’s determination to align its fastener industry with international performance benchmarks.

Alongside material innovation, automation and digitalization are transforming Chinese production lines. Modern manufacturing methods now incorporate robotics, real-time traceability systems, and advanced digital monitoring. These technologies are vital in ensuring the precision, reliability, and safety demanded by aerospace regulations, and they also improve productivity and quality control across local manufacturers. As China ramps up aircraft production and invests in high-end aerospace programs, these digital innovations are becoming critical enablers of competitiveness.

Another area of technological progress is coatings and process innovation. Globally, aerospace manufacturers are moving away from traditional cadmium plating due to environmental and health concerns, favoring alternatives such as zinc-nickel coatings. This trend has direct implications for Chinese producers, who are increasingly adopting environmentally compliant processes to meet both domestic regulatory changes and international export requirements. By embracing

these new coating technologies, Chinese aerospace fastener companies not only address sustainability concerns but also strengthen their position in the global supply chain.

Conclusion

China’s aerospace fastener market is poised for strong expansion through 2030 and beyond, with projections indicating growth from approximately USD 480 million in 2023 to over USD 3 billion by the end of the decade (P Market Research; Fastener World). This trajectory is being fueled by rapid advances in the domestic aerospace sector, robust policy support, and the increasing potential for exports. The coming years will be defined by several transformative forces. High-performance materials are expected to gradually replace legacy designs, ensuring that Chinese fasteners meet the stringent demands of modern aviation. At the same time, advanced manufacturing—particularly the widespread adoption of automation and digitalization—will be critical for scaling production to global standards. Strategic global integration, including supply-chain diversification and international partnerships, will further strengthen the competitiveness of local producers. Equally important, regulatory convergence with international aerospace norms will prepare Chinese fastener manufacturers to compete on the global stage.

Taken together, these dynamics underscore that the Chinese aerospace fastener industry stands at an inflection point. With government backing, a rapidly growing aerospace ecosystem, and rising emphasis on quality and innovation, the sector is transitioning from a peripheral role to becoming a major global contributor. Although technical and competitive challenges remain, the projected CAGR of over 8% and a market valuation surpassing USD 3 billion by 2030 highlight a path of significant momentum. The ability to innovate in materials, manufacturing processes, and international alignment will ultimately define the next generation of China’s aerospace fastener industry.

References:

1 https://table.media/en/china/newsen/airlines-order-one-hundredc919-from-comac

2 https://boeing.mediaroom. com/2023-09-19-Boeing-Fastgrowing-China-domestic-airtravel-driving-20-year-demand-for8,560-airplanes

3 https://www.grandviewresearch. com/horizon/outlook/spacetechnology-market/china?utm_ source=chatgpt.com

4 https://en.antaranews.com/ news/308787/commercialaerospace-the-next-launchpadfor-the-chinese-economy?utm_ source=chatgpt.com

China's Dual Carbon Policy Intensifies, Chinese Fastener Companies Must Step Up

1. Changes in the Dual Carbon Policy

Recently, China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) consecutively held two important meetings, clearly listing "comprehensively transforming to promote green and low-carbon development through dual carbon emission control" as a key task for the second half of the year and the "15th FiveYear Plan" period. The "dual carbon" (carbon peak and carbon neutrality) related work has been further strengthened, reflecting a major transformation in China's energy governance. The key point is that these meetings mark China's shift from past "energy consumption constraints" to "carbon emission constraints. " Simply put, in the past, enterprises focused mainly on how much energy they consumed; now the focus is on how much carbon dioxide they emit. This is not a small change but a historic turning point. Previously, controlling only energy consumption may have restricted some new energy industries because some new energy projects might have high initial energy consumption but very low carbon emissions. Now, by shifting to carbon emission constraints, green and low-carbon development will be promoted more scientifically, ensuring economic growth and actualizing environmental goals.

Starting September 1, companies must first "calculate their carbon emissions" before project approval, because a veto is no joke. The core of this policy change lies in the officially implemented "Measures for Energy Conservation Review and Carbon Emission Evaluation of Fixed Asset Investment Projects" from September 1. Despite its lengthy name, its contents are closely related to enterprises, mainly reflected in three aspects.

First, a major system adjustment. For all fixed asset investment projects, a "control report on energy and carbon" incorporating carbon emission evaluation into the full lifecycle management of the project must now be simultaneously submitted. This means that enterprises must "calculate their carbon emissions" clearly from the start of project establishment, with fossil energy consumption and carbon emission intensity being key review points. If the carbon emission is unclear or does not meet standards, the project may be "vetoed outright." Previously, companies might have focused mainly on whether a project was profitable or technically feasible; now whether the carbon emissions meet standards is an additional criterion. This requires companies to consider environmental factors from the outset and control carbon emissions at the source.

Second, goal upgrade. According to the Chinese State Council's plan, by 2025, a solid validating foundation must be built; during the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, a dual control mechanism focused on emission intensity control supplemented by total emission volume control will be implemented. After reaching carbon peak, the focus will shift to the management prioritizing total volume. This design is quite reasonable—it accommodates current economic development needs and leaves buffer space to achieve carbon peak before 2030. For example, like personal weight loss, one might first focus on body fat percentage (intensity), and after stabilizing physical condition, shift to controlling total body weight (total volume). Enterprises will similarly first gradually adjust carbon emission intensity, then progressively control total volume, easing pressure so it does not overwhelm them suddenly.

Third, technology empowerment. The "Measures" require establishing a carbon emission monitoring network covering national, local and enterprise levels, using high technologies such as satellite remote sensing and blockchain for real-time data tracking. This is like equipping carbon emissions with "telephoto lens" and "recorders," making data falsification much harder. Enterprises' carbon emission status can be accurately monitored, which also pressures companies to earnestly work on emission reductions. China's domestic carbon market is soaring in activity, with the price of carbon emission allowances nearly doubling, increasing companies' incentives to reduce emissions.

2. Progression of the "Dual Carbon" Policy

With the advancement of the "dual carbon" policy, China’s domestic carbon market has become increasingly mature. In 2021, the average price of carbon emission

allowances was 46.60 RMB per ton; by 2024, it had risen to 91.82 RMB per ton, nearly doubling. What does this mean? Carbon allowances are becoming more valuable.

Driven by national policies, China’s carbon market mechanisms have improved steadily, and the implementation of carbon indicators has given real value to carbon allowances. Previously, companies might have seen emission reductions as an extra burden; now it’s different. Carbon allowances that are saved through emission reductions can be sold, greatly boosting enterprises’ motivation to cut emissions.

For example, if a company reduces its carbon emissions through technological upgrades, the saved carbon allowances can be sold to companies exceeding their emission limits. This is a win-win: making money while contributing to environmental protection. The carbon market acts like an invisible hand, using market mechanisms to drive companies to voluntarily reduce emissions—more effective than mere administrative orders. The rising carbon price also shows growing market confidence in the “dual carbon” goals. Everyone recognizes emission reductions are a major trend, and demand for carbon allowances will increase, naturally pushing prices up. This further encourages more companies to join the emission reduction effort, creating a virtuous cycle.

3. Fasteners Companies Must Step Up

3.1 Pay Attention to Favorable Information

The fastener industry is entering a positive phase. Fastener companies should pay attention to equipment manufacturers in the chemical sector and those involved with clean carbon reduction and environmental recycling equipment, which will embrace good opportunities.

First is biomass fuel and biodieselrelated equipment. With policy promotion, domestic demand for these clean energy sources will definitely rise. Equipment companies with substantial technological accumulation in biomass energy will see considerable potential for fastener demand as the market grows, expected to develop further benefits under the policy.

Second are companies in the recycling sector. With high engineering and technical content and strong technical capabilities, they provide robust technical support for the industry. As leaders in recycling plastics equipment, they hold significant advantages in resource circular utilization, aligning well with the trend of green development. While policies are favorable, market risks should not be ignored. Although the “dual carbon” policy brings many opportunities to fastener companies, some risks also require attention.

3.2 Opportunities and Challenges

First, the intensity of policy implementation may fall short of expectations. No matter how good the policy is, it is ineffective if not properly implemented. If local governments dilute enforcement or companies respond passively, emission reduction targets may be difficult to achieve, affecting the development of the fastener industry and companies.

Second, the effectiveness of policy implementation may be less than expected. Even if policies are pushed hard enough, actual effects may fall short. For example, monitoring technology failures could lead to inaccurate data, or costly emission reduction measures might disrupt normal corporate operations, all reducing policy effectiveness.

Third, risks from supply and demand changes. As the carbon market develops, supply and demand dynamics for carbon allowances may fluctuate. Oversupply could lower prices, weakening companies’ motivation to reduce emissions; sudden demand surges could cause price spikes, imposing extra burdens on some companies. Additionally, supply-demand changes in biomass fuels, recycled plastics, and related products will also impact the performance of relevant fastener companies.

4. Conclusion

Overall, the NDRC’s recent policies represent an important step in China’s push for green and low-carbon development. The shift from dual energy consumption control to dual carbon emission control may seem like a minor wording change, but it signals a major transformation in development concepts and models. This approach not only promotes high-quality economic development in China but also contributes China's power to the global effort against climate change. For fastener companies, it is essential to actively adapt to policy changes, proactively transform and upgrade, and seize this wave of development opportunities.

The deepening of the new "dual carbon" policy is profoundly reshaping China’s economic landscape and fastener industry ecology. It will be interesting to see which fastener companies shine under this policy dividend, driving China’s economy toward a greener, more sustainable future.

2024 Fastener Trade Statistics of EU

2024年歐盟緊固件進出口統計

Import

The EU imported a total of about 1.64 million tons of fasteners from the world in 2024, with China and Taiwan as the main import sources, accounting for more than 60% of the total. In addition, Turkey and Vietnam were also very important import partners of the EU, with individual imports of more than 100,000 tons. In 2024, China, Vietnam, S. Korea, and Malaysia in the top 10 sources of imports showed an increase. In terms of value, the EU imported a total of about €6.2 billion from the world in 2024, down around €0.3 billion from €6.5 billion in 2023, with most of the top 10 sources showing significant year-on-year decline. The data also shows that the EU is highly dependent on the supply chain of fasteners from Asia.

Export

Exports of fasteners from the EU declined from 591,000 tons in 2022 to 566,000 tons in 2023, and then dropped further to 556,000 tons in 2024. The U.S., China and the U.K. ranked as its largest to third largest export destinations, with the three countries alone accounting for more than 40% of the total. Exports to Turkey, Switzerland, and Brazil also reached at least 30,000 tons. However, the data show a decreasing trend in the volume of fasteners exported from the EU to the US, China and the UK in 2024 on a year-onyear basis, while the portion exported to Brazil, Morocco, and Norway all showed growth. In terms of value, the EU's fastener exports grew from 5.34 billion euros in 2022 to 5.8 billion euros in 2024, with all of the top 10 exporters showing growth in 2024 except for Mexico, Turkey, and Switzerland, which showed a year-over-year decrease.

by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief of Fastener World

Effects of Banded Structure on Fasteners (Part 2)

緊固件中的帶狀組織研究與控制（下）

(Part 1 of this article has been published in China Fastener World, June 2025 issue)

Difficulties in Reality

The steel standards GB/T3077-2015 “Alloy Structural Steel” and GB/T6478-2015 “Cold Forged and Extruded Steels” for bolts have strict control over the content of impurities P and S. The contents of P and S in all steel grades have been reduced (the former was reduced by 0.005% (≤0.030%) compared with the original standard, and the latter tempered steel being ≤0.025%). As GB/T3077 and GB/T6478 standards do not have the requirements for banding structure testing, it is necessary to add amendments ASAP.

The presence of phosphorus in steel will form a banded structure in the case of segregation. When the steel slowly cools down in the A3-A1 area, the temperature of the A3 high phosphorus area is high, forming ferrite. Carbon is concentrated to the low phosphorus area, resulting in low phosphorus and carbon-rich area. On subsequent cooling, eutectic transformation occurs, resulting in the formation of pearlite and layered arrangement.

Manganese is also an element that promotes banded segregation. In hot rolled steel, the Mn content is higher where pearlite is formed and lower where ferrite is precipitated. After the steel is hot rolled and slowly cooled, the proeutectoid ferrite will precipitate preferentially at low Mn area along the distribution of deformed fibers, and then the carbon will advance to the high Mn area to form pearlite, resulting in a banded distribution between pearlite and ferrite.

Professionals believe that although phosphorus segregation has an effect on the formation of banded structure, it should be the result of the combined effect of multiple alloys. Generally speaking, the diffusion coefficient of alloys in steel is smaller than that of carbon, which prevents the dendritic segregation formed during solidification from being completely eliminated by the heating before rolling, which is also an important reason for the formation of ferrite/pearlitic bands.

If there are non-metallic inclusions in the steel that are elongated into a band along the rolling direction, these inclusions may become the core of preferential precipitation of ferrite during the cooling process and form a ferrite band, which is generally difficult to be eliminated by normalizing. This band must be improved by uniform annealing followed by normalizing.

Fig. 1 shows that the structural composition is not uniform and the ferrite is aggregated into lumps. If the alloys in the austenite are not evenly distributed, it will result in a different tendency of grain growth, i.e., it is easy to leave undissolved carbide in the enriched area of carbide-forming elements, which reduces the diffusion rate of carbon atoms and inhibits grain growth; in the low area of carbideforming elements the grain is easy to grow, so it is easy to appear mixed crystalline structure. When quenching, as the hardenability of the alloys in the impoverished area is low, it is easy to form a non-martensitic

Fig. 1 Banded Structure of 42CrMo After Annealing（X100）

structure; and banded structure after the conventional heat treatment often features lower mechanical properties. In addition, due to the increase in the expansion coefficient and specific volume difference caused by compositional segregation, the bolt quenching deformation also increases.

The mechanical properties of banded structure are directional due to its microstructure layered arrangement (see Fig. 2 ); that is, along the longitudinal banded structure the tensile strength is high, toughness is also good, but the transverse performance is poor (not only low strength, poor toughness, but also deteriorating the steel scrap performance, making the amount of deformation of the subsequent heat treatment and the unevenness of hardness increase. If there exists a banded structure before quenching, quenching and heating process is not possible to eliminate it. The residual banded structure after quenching will make the bolt to produce greater stress, or even cracking.

To see the mechanical performance testing result of the 42CrMo steel M45X280 bolt (quenched at 880±5℃ and tempered at (540±10℃), it indicates that the impact value is not qualified and the average value “21J” is 22% lower than the standard “27J”. Ferrite aggregates and grows at the grain boundaries, which increases the grain size, reduces the resistance to crack propagation, and decreases the impact power.

Usually, the homogenization temperature of carbon in austenite is higher than 930°C, and that of alloys is higher than 1,050°C. The homogenization time is limited by the bandwidth of the band, the concentration difference between the bands and the degree of homogenization required. Therefore, it is difficult to homogenize the carbon (especially the alloys) in the banded structure, and it is difficult to eliminate the banded structure by conventional heat treatment (e.g. annealing, normalizing, quenching, etc.).

Inspection Standards

The severity of banded structure can be assessed according to GB/T 34474.1-2017

“Assessment Method of Banded Structure in Steel (Part 1): Standard Rating Chart Method” and GB/T 34474.2-2018

“Assessment Method of Banded Structure in Steel (Part 2): Quantitative Method”. Under the observation of X100 visual field, those ≤2 levels are qualified.

Note: technical requirement referred from ISO/WD 898-11:2023

GB/T34474.1-2017 standard clearly specifies the sampling position and inspection status of test samples for banded structure assessment, and requires that the inspection surface of test samples should be parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steel. According to the standard, the carbon content of the steel will be divided into A to E series, and the banded structure of each series will be divided into 0 to 5 levels. Figure 2 shows that the banded structure of 42CrMo steel is relatively obvious, with ferrite and pearlite alternating in the form of bands, which is classified as Gr. 3 according to GB/T 34474.1.

GB/T34474.2-2018 can also be used to assess banded structure and is applicable to other banded structures except for ferrite, with a wider scope of use. However, it requires a lot of calculation and analyses, so adoption is low.

Conclusion

The mechanical properties of steel with banded structure are anisotropic, making it easy to break at the steel interface in the fastener process. When heat treatment is continued, the banded structure will lead to excessive deformation of steel or cracks which generally feature no oxidation and decarburization; the expansion direction of cracks during heat treatment is generally through and along the grain, and in severe cases they may appear as a single linear extension or even penetrate the entire bolt. Oxides may appear in cracks after quenching and tempering; the inclusions observed around cracks can be extremely detrimental to fastener quality. Since banded structure is not easily eliminated by normal heat treatment, the most cost-effective method is to solve the problem by redissolving the electroslag and increasing the crystallization rate. It’s impossible to fully describe the effect of banded structure on fasteners in this article, but I tried to start a discussion on key issues. Hopefully, this will draw more attention from the industry.

Fig. 2 Banded Structure of 42CrMo Steel After Quenching （Left: X500, Right: X1000）

Table 1. The Mechanical Performance Testing Result of the 42CrMo Steel M45X280 Bolt

Science Friction isn’t for Screw Connections Fiction

Readers may forgive a slight excess, but a parable from Shakespeare's Othello characterizes this article well. Even the Nobel Prize winner for literature, Rudyard Kipling, wrote a short story about a naughty screw on a ship. Of course, this is not the only reason for writing this article. As will become clear in the following text, friction plays a key role in threaded joints. That's what this is about. From the moment of interacting surfaces in relative motion and associated subjects, in this case of an internal and external thread and the contact surfaces, threaded joints have become an important tribological node in which friction plays a dominant role. Contrary to other structural pairs, threaded joints have their specifics from the point of view of friction. These will be specified within the following text.

About Friction Itself

Despite the fact that friction as such is a property of matter that is independent of intelligence and it cannot be eliminated, it can be influenced to a certain extent. Leonardo da Vinci understood this, who in his experiment found that the magnitude of friction depends only on the pressure force and the surface roughness characterized by friction of coefficient µ. In his magnificent work Jost Report, the English professor Peter Jost, the father of the scientific discipline of tribology, developed the issue of friction.

Friction is the force that slows down movement over a surface. It is calculated using the formula:

Ft = µ.F N, where

Ft - shear friction force in - [N]

F N - perpendicular pressure force between the bodies in [N]

µ - coefficient of friction (dimensionless number)

"You too, Screwtus?"

(A playful twist on Shakespeare’s famous line “You too, Brutus?”)

The Importance of Friction in Bolted Joints

The life cycle of a threaded joint unfolds in two stages:

1. assembly

2. a work process that continues until the end of its useful life, either through destruction, spontaneous release, or disassembly

While tightening by torque moment, which is a dominant way of assembly in common use of screwing, only a part (Mef) of the exerted moment MM (Fig. 1) is effectively used for making needed prestressing. The rest, i.e. Mfr is consumed for overcoming the friction within threads and under the nut and the head of a screw and it changes in the heat.

M M = Mfr + Mef

The stronger friction, the higher consumption of energy is, and the more heat is created, as well. In extreme cases, for example, the plastic ring in the locking nut DIN 985 may melt (Fig. 2).

The counterproductive effect of friction on screw connections is evidenced by Fig. 3. Note the different direction of the force F R when tightening and during operation when loosening tendency. Friction is undesirable during tightening (Fig. 4), but during operation it protects the joint from spontaneous loosening. This contradictory effect of friction has never been solved. Some hope is offered by so-called thixotropic lubricants. At the same time, it is a challenge for tribologists.

According to VDI 2230 for 60° angle of the thread this formula is valid:

M A – a torque moment for overcoming friction,

F M – assembly prestressing force

µ G – a friction of coefficient within threads,

µ K – a friction of coefficient under the head,

P– lead of a helix,

Dkm – an effective diameter under the head, MG, respectively

MK – moments for overcoming the friction within threads and under the head

This relationship clearly shows the effect of friction on the tightening torque.

Conclusion

3 Decomposition of forces

4 New and rusty Fig. 5 Energy consumption

Threaded joints represent a difficult tribological system when friction plays a contradictory role which is necessary during operation but undesirable during assembly. In contrast to other structural elements such as toothed wheels, bearings and similar tribological pairs, in this case the friction is not so important from the service wear and energy consumption point of view but from the aspect of the exact assembly and safety of construction. Despite this, professor H. P. Jost is right. It is important to pay increased attention to tribology of threaded joints. Investment in that will pay off in the form of reliability of products and credibility of producers.

Fig. 1 Torque distribution

Fig. 2 Melted plastic ring

Fig.

Melting

Impact of Steel and Aluminum Tariffs on U.S. Demand for Imported Fasteners

Foreword

The Trump administration imposed the Section 232 tariffs on steel and aluminum, arguing that steel and aluminum imports posed a threat to U.S. national security. In March 2025, he announced a 25% tariff on steel and aluminum imports. On June 3, 2025, he issued an announcement raising tariffs on steel, aluminum, and their derivatives (final products) from 25% to 50% under Section 232, effective June 4, 2025.

Further info on Section 232 tariffs: If goods are subject to the 25% Section 232 tariff on vehicles and auto parts, they are no longer subject to the 50% Section 232 tariff on steel, aluminum, and their derivatives. The steel and aluminum tariff is to protect the U.S. steel and aluminum industries and reduce dependence on foreign products. The Trump administration also views raising tariffs as a trade negotiation strategy, hoping to use it to pressure other countries into reaching more favorable trade agreements.

The potential impact of the Trump administration's increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum products is as follows:

(1) Increased import costs: The increase in tariffs has directly led to a significant rise in the cost of imported steel and aluminum products in the U.S.

(2) Impact on downstream industries: Many industries using steel and aluminum as materials, such as the automotive and canned food industries, will face pressure from rising costs.

(3) Tensions in international trade relations: The increase in tariffs has sparked strong opposition from other countries and may lead to strained relations between trading partners.

(4) Impact on the U.S. steel industry: While higher tariffs may help protect the U.S. steel industry, they could also lead to rising steel prices domestically, which in turn could affect downstream industries.

Most fasteners fall under the category of steel and aluminum products, meaning they are subject to the U.S. tariff rates for steel and aluminum products. However, most fasteners are end-user products, which, while increasing U.S. import costs, do not require further processing by downstream industries and thus do not face additional cost pressures. Therefore, by analyzing changes in U.S. Customs’ import statistics before and after the imposition of tariffs on imported steel and aluminum products, one can generally assess the extent of the impact of U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs on imported fasteners and future trends.

1. Statistics on the Values of Fasteners Imported into the U.S. in 2025

Based on U.S. monthly import statistics for Jan-May 2025 and classified by fastener type according to HTS codes, the monthly import values of fasteners into the U.S. are shown in Table 1

Table 1 shows that, according to U.S. Customs’ monthly import statistics, the import value of various fasteners decreased after the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum, but the decrease was not significant. The

data in Table 1 indicate that while tariffs have increased import costs for the U.S., there has been no noticeable decline in demand due to these increased costs. Table 1 does not yet include statistical data on the tariff increase from 25% to 50%, so the impact of subsequent tariff changes on U.S. fastener imports remains unknown.

2. Changes in Import Values from Supplier Countries Before and After U.S. Tariff Imposition on Steel and Aluminum Imports

According to U.S. monthly import statistics for Jan-May 2025, the changes in import values of various fasteners by country of origin are shown in Tables 2-1 to 2-12, which clearly indicate the main countries of origin for various fasteners as follows:

The main suppliers of fasteners with HTS code 731811 (Table 2-1) were China, Taiwan, Thailand, and India. China did not reduce its exports to the U.S. even though it faced the extra tariffs imposed on steel and aluminum imports.

Table 2-1. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731811 Country

The main suppliers of fasteners with HTS code 731812 (Table 2-2 ) were: Taiwan, China, and Canada. The value of Taiwan's exports to the US decreased due to the tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, while the values of China’s and Canada’s exports to the US did not reduce.

Table 2-2. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731812

The main suppliers of fasteners with HTS code 731813 (Table 2-3 ) were: China, S. Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. The values of these 4 countries’ exports to the U.S. all reduced due to the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Table 2-3. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731813

Fasteners with HTS code 731814 ( Table 2-4 ) were supplied by the largest number of countries and faced the most intense competition. The main supplying countries were Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Japan, Thailand, etc. The values of all countries’ exports to the U.S. reduced due to the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports.

Table 2-4. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731814

INDUSTRY FOCUS

Fasteners with HTS code 731815 (Table 2-5 ) had the highest import value and were supplied by many countries. The main supplying countries were China, Taiwan, India, Japan, South Korea, etc. Most of them saw a decrease in exports to the US due to the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum products. However, a few countries were not affected and instead increased their exports of fasteners to the US (e.g., Italy, France, Germany, the UK, and some other European countries).

Table

2-6. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731816

Fasteners with HTS code 731819 (Table 2-7) were mainly supplied by China, Taiwan, Germany, India, and Japan. Germany and some European countries subject to the steel and aluminum tariffs decreased their values of exports to the U.S. after April. Taiwan and China were also affected to a similar extent as other major supplier countries, with the values of exports to the U.S. approaching those prior to U.S. announcement of tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in February.

Table 2-7. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731819

Fasteners with HTS code 731816 ( Table 2-6 ) were supplied by many countries, with the main suppliers being China, Taiwan, Japan, India, S. Korea, etc. Japanese products were only minimally affected by the additional tariffs on steel and aluminum imports, while China and Taiwan did not appear a significant decrease in the proportion of their exports to the U.S.

Table 2-5. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731815

Fasteners with HTS code 731821 ( Table 2-8 ) were mainly supplied by China, Germany, Taiwan, Italy, and India. Germany saw an increase rather than a decrease in April, making it the country with the largest increase in import value for this type of fastener compared to other countries.

Table 2-8. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731821

Table 2-9. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731822

Fasteners with HTS code 731823 (Table 2-10 ) were mainly supplied by Taiwan, China, France, Japan, and Germany.

Table 2-10. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731823

Fasteners with HTS code 731822 ( Table 2-9 ) were mainly supplied by China, Taiwan, India, and Japan. Compared with the import values before the announcement of extra tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in February, the import values from Japan and Germany increased slightly. The import value from China decreased significantly, but increased slightly again in May. The extent of impact on Taiwan and India, as well as the changes in import values and the differences, will require further observation.

INDUSTRY FOCUS

Fasteners with HTS code 731824 (Table 2-11) were mainly supplied by China, Japan, the Czech Rep., Taiwan, and Italy. Compared to the import values prior to the announcement of extra tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in February, the import values from Japan, the Czech Republic, and Taiwan increased in April, slightly decreased in May, but continued to increase from the Czech Rep. The import from China decreased significantly in April, but saw a slight increase in May.

Table 2-11. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731824

Fasteners with HTS code 731829 ( Table 2-12 ) were mainly supplied by China, Taiwan, India, Japan, and Germany. Except for an increase in the import from Germany, the impact on other countries was similar.

Table 2-12. U.S. Import Values from Suppliers of Fasteners with HTS Code 731829

3. Overall Observation

The Trump administration's increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum products has significantly increased the cost of importing fasteners for U.S. businesses, creating obstacles to sales and profits in the fastener market. However, when comparing the import values before and after the imposition of tariffs, and observing the changes in import values and differences among various types of fasteners, the total import value of fasteners into the U.S. remained slightly lower than before the tariff hikes, there has been no unusual increase or decrease in demand resulting from the tariff adjustments. Particularly for China, the largest supplier of fasteners to

the U.S., the results show no significant changes in demand. China remained the largest supplier of fasteners to the U.S., and the volume and value of fastener supplies from China have not been significantly affected by the U.S. tariff hikes on steel and aluminum imports.

In addition to China, Taiwan, Japan, Germany, and other European countries being the main suppliers, US fastener importers continue to seek lower-priced fasteners of various types due to rising product costs. Other countries such as India and Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam and Thailand are also expanding their presence in the U.S. fastener market with lower-priced fasteners. Following the increase in tariffs on steel and aluminum products, the fastener market, which is primarily influenced by countries such as India and Southeast Asian nations like Vietnam and Thailand, may result in a reduction in the value of fastener imports into the U.S. market from regions supplying mid-to-low-priced products (e.g., Taiwan, South Korea, and the Czech Rep. in Europe).

U.S. imported fasteners include those used in automobiles and auto parts, but there is no specific statistical information on the quantity or value of such products. The U.S. Customs’ public information does not provide specific data on the quantity or value of U.S. imported fasteners used in automobiles and auto parts, either. Therefore, there is no statistical information available to determine the actual demand changes resulting from the 50% tariff increase on U.S. imported fasteners.

From the perspective of US demand for imported fasteners, the supply of domestically produced fasteners in the US is far below domestic market demand. Regardless of whether tariffs on steel and aluminum products are raised, the US needs to import large quantities of fasteners to meet market demand. Therefore, there are many fastener importers in the U.S., who use sufficient import supplies to make up for the shortfall in domestic fastener production. Based on an assessment of the supply and demand in the US fastener market, if the U.S. fastener manufacturing industry is unable to increase the fastener supply in the short term, and given that the supply in the fastener import industry is already adequate, even if tariffs on steel and aluminum products are increased, causing a significant increase in the cost of imported fasteners, this will not affect the overall quantity or value of imported fasteners, nor will it have a significant impact on the

US fastener supply chain. The U.S. imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum has not resulted in differential treatment among global fastener suppliers. All global fastener suppliers face the same competitive conditions in terms of tariffs when entering the U.S. market. Therefore, there has been no significant actual impact on the overall demand for imported fasteners in the U.S. Following the imposition of tariffs on steel and aluminum by the U.S., it remains to be seen whether this will have a substantial impact on fastener suppliers that already have FTAs with the U.S. (e.g., Canada and Mexico under the NAFTA). If the U.S. fastener manufacturing industry does not use domestically sourced steels, it will also raise fastener prices in line with the material cost increase. Due to the increase in the cost of imported fasteners in the U.S. caused by the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs, the prices of fasteners in the U.S. will rise, resulting in price increases for fasteners applicable or not applicable to automobiles and automobile parts. Therefore, U.S. fastener manufacturers and importers will inevitably reflect the steel and aluminum tariffs in the market prices of fasteners.

Heavy Price of Poor Maintenance and Sloppiness

疏於維護與草率行事的沉重代價

“Poorly maintained equipment and sloppiness can lead to serious accidents.”

Introduction

Fig. 01. Gas explosion (Wiki)

We can encounter this old truth in preamble almost every day in various areas of economic activity. The latest dramatic explosion in a Malaysian (April 1, 2025) gas pipeline (Fig. 01) would be a reminder. Leaks in the gas pipeline sends fire spreading to villages.

How much more pleasant is the sight of a bird flapping its wings on a leaky water pipe (Fig. 02). Unfortunately, emotional feelings play no role here. In both cases, the cause was a leak in the pipe; in the first case a gas pipe, in the second, a water pipe.

There is no point in continuing to calculate the consequences of accidents caused by insufficient ongoing care of gas or liquid pipelines. It is important to analyze them and take the necessary measures. Pointing out possible causes and providing a proposal for appropriate measures is also the mission of this contribution.

Possible Causes

1. Incorrect screws installation

In July 2020, the ship Atlantic Huron, a 736-foot bulk carrier, lost its propulsion control. The ship was attempting to slow down, but instead it was speeding up. This led to the ship barreling into a pier, causing great damage. It was due to an incorrect installation of a small screw on the propeller machinery that controlled pitch (Fig. 03).

2. Incorrect material and excessive strain

An error in choosing the material for the car wheel mounting bolts and their excessive strain (Fig. 04 - 06) caused a serious traffic accident.

▲

▲ Fig. 02. Bird on a leaky pipe

Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Jozef Dominik

3. Pipe leakage

One specific problem is pipe leakage, which can occur in three ways:

- Corrosion (Fig. 07 - 09)

- Loosening of bolted joints

- Damage to the seal on flanges

Corrosion itself is also a specific problem for pipelines. In contrast to the common types of corrosion of bolted joints, there is external or atmospheric corrosion and internal corrosion as a result of the effect of aggressive components contained in the transported medium. It is not uncommon for it to be a combination of both. Welding a steel sheet (Fig. 09) is only effective for a short time. If the area around the weld is not treated properly, it corrodes very quickly.

It is also important to take into account the fact that pipe repairs often take place in hard-to-reach places (Fig. 10). Sometimes it is a difficult and expensive matter. Not only pipeline repair at height is at least twice as expensive, it is also more difficult than on the ground. The same applies to routine checks of the condition of bolted joints in hard-to-reach places.

The role of screw connections is not only to connect, but also to prevent the disintegration of already connected parts so that the above-mentioned cases of accidents can never occur. Loosening of prestressing force in flanged pipe joints means loss of tightness and leakage of medium into the surroundings. A preventive measure is needed here, which should be considered as a proper investment and not as an expense item.

One of them is the installation of a lock point (Fig. 11). It is a simple, inexpensive and, above all, effective method of bolting locking. However, it is necessary to tighten the screws correctly beforehand.

One of the factors that determine the success of joint tightness when tightening a flange is the tightening sequence of the bolts, which ensures a balanced tension throughout the joint (Table 1).

▲ Fig. 04

▲ Fig. 05

▲ Fig. 06

▼ Fig. 07 Rusty flange

▼ Fig. 08 Crack in a pipe

▼ Fig. 09 Welding

Table

▼ Fig. 10 Welding at height

▼ Fig. 11 Lock point on flange

▲ Fig. 12 Flange joint with gasket

However, loss of tightness can also be caused by degradation of the sealing washer (Fig. 12), therefore special attention must be paid to the selection of suitable materials.

Here too, the proven rule applies that the designer must know in what environment and under what operating conditions his future design node will operate. This should be contractually stipulated on the customer's side, because it is very important.

Conclusion

It is not for nothing that it is said that even small mistakes can cause big problems. This is also fully true for the technique of mechanical joining of components. This article provides a few practical examples that confirm this.

Finally, a few useful tips:

1. Important screw connections must be clearly visible and easily accessible for possible repair or replacement.

2. Bolted connections must not be the weakest link in the structure.

3. Regular inspection and maintenance are important.

4. In the case of manual replacement of a car wheel, visit an authorized service center as soon as possible.

5. Precise tightening.

6. When installing car wheels, respect the coefficient of friction. It is not the same to tighten aluminum and steel wheels.

China’s EV Industry Development Policies and Fastener Business Opportunities

Background of China's Electric Vehicle Industry Development

The 2010s were the heyday for the rapid development of China's new energy vehicle industry. In 2012, the Chinese government released the "Energy-Saving and New Energy Vehicle Industry Development Plan (2012-2020)," which stated the goal of a cumulative production and sales volume of 5 million new energy vehicles by 2020. To achieve this goal, the Chinese government expanded its support for new energy vehicles, including offering purchase subsidies, tax exemptions, and accelerating the construction of charging infrastructure. Meanwhile, leading Chinese companies like BYD, BAIC New Energy, and NIO actively invested in research and development, launching a series of competitive new energy vehicles.

As market demand grew and technological levels improved, China's new energy vehicle industry gained a significant position in the global market. By 2024, China's new energy vehicle stock had exceeded 6.5 million units, making it the world's largest new energy vehicle market. At this point, China's new energy vehicle supply chain was fully formed, with numerous companies participating in every stage from upstream battery material supply to downstream vehicle manufacturing, assembly, and sales, showcasing competitiveness in the international market.

In recent years, with China’s aims to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2060, China's new energy vehicle industry has faced new development opportunities. The government continues to expand policy support for new energy vehicles, promoting their intelligent and networked development. Additionally, the construction of charging infrastructure has been further expanded, significantly improving the convenience of using new energy vehicles. In 2024, China's new energy vehicle sales reached a new high of 4.75 million units, accounting for 55.2% of the global market. Under the guidance of government policies, China's new energy vehicle industry has experienced rapid development from its inception. Leading companies are actively expanding their domestic and international presence, and with continuous technological breakthroughs and market maturation, China's new energy vehicle industry is expected to continue growing.

Policies of Chinese Electric Vehicle Industry

The Chinese government has implemented a comprehensive set of policies to support the new energy vehicle industry, aiming to position China as a global leader in this sector. These policies cover new energy vehicle adoption, production, innovation, and include subsidies, production quotas, infrastructure support, R&D investments, and incentives for international expansion.

1. Subsidies for Consumers and Manufacturers: China has long provided direct subsidies to new energy vehicle buyers to make these vehicles more affordable. Although these subsidies have gradually decreased as the market matures, they remain in place for vehicles meeting certain mileage, efficiency, and safety standards, encouraging consumers to choose electric vehicles over traditional gasoline-powered

cars. For manufacturers, tax exemptions and production subsidies reduce operational costs and support the market. The government has implemented tax incentives for new energy vehicle purchases that will continue until 2025, particularly benefiting low-cost and mid-range models popular in urban areas.

2. Production Quotas and New Energy Vehicle Credit System: China's new energy vehicle production quota system requires automakers to meet specific production targets for new energy vehicles. The new energy vehicle credits are tied to production volumes, and manufacturers that fail to meet these quotas must purchase credits from companies that exceed their targets. This system provides an incentive for all companies to increase their new energy vehicle production. Over the long term, China is gradually phasing out internal combustion engine vehicles, with a goal of having 40% of new car sales be new energy vehicles by 2030, and achieving full electrification by 2035. This ambitious timeline is shaping the strategies of domestic and foreign automakers operating in China.

3. Expansion of Charging Infrastructure: China is at the forefront in new energy vehicle infrastructure, having established the world's largest public new energy vehicle charging network with government support. Initiatives include providing fast-charging stations and battery-swapping facilities. The Chinese government, local governments, and companies like NIO collaborate to increase battery-swapping stations, enhancing convenience and reducing downtime for new energy vehicles.

4. Rural Electrification: To promote widespread adoption, China is expanding new energy vehicle infrastructure in rural areas, aiming to make new energy vehicles viable beyond major cities and promote sustainable transportation across regions.

5. R&D and Innovation: Under the "Made in China 2025" initiative, the government funds research and development in battery technology, autonomous vehicles, and new energy vehicle manufacturing and R&D to establish self-sufficiency in high-tech new energy vehicle components. This reduces dependence on foreign suppliers, emphasizing improved battery performance, reduced production costs, and creating export competitiveness.

6. Global Expansion Support and Trade Protection: The Chinese government encourages new energy vehicle manufacturers to expand into international markets, offering financial assistance to exporters targeting Europe, Japan, and Latin America. Chinese brands like BYD and NIO use these policies to establish strong global deployment, further expanding their ambitions. China imposes import restrictions and tariffs on foreign electric vehicles, protecting domestic companies and enabling them to dominate the Chinese market despite significant international competition. This protectionist stance aims to nurture domestic brands and strengthen China's position in the global electric vehicle market.

7. Environmental Protection and ESG Goals: New energy vehicles play a significant role in China's environmental protection strategy, including achieving peak carbon emissions by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060. By integrating new energy vehicles into environmental protection, social responsibility, and governance (ESG) frameworks, China aims to reduce urban pollution, decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and align with sustainability goals.

Opportunities for Fastener Manufacturers in China's Electric Vehicle Industry Development

1. Electric Vehicle Industry and Fastener Demand

Electric vehicle manufacturers are continuously developing power batteries and whole vehicle technology. Due to ongoing issues with mileage, battery

cooling, and vehicle lightweighting in the electric vehicle market, manufacturers are reevaluating manufacturing structures, designs, and assembly processes to optimize vehicle performance. Electric vehicle manufacturers must prioritize solving cooling and lightweighting problems by using streamlined components while considering supply chain’s carbon footprints.

High-quality fasteners are crucial for electric vehicle production, as they ensure that all critical components remain connected and secure. Welldesigned fasteners can help electric vehicle manufacturers determine the best fastening solutions to achieve optimal vehicle performance. According to statistics, the global electric vehicle market is expected to grow at a compound annual rate of 15.7% from 2024 to 2029. Component manufacturers are preparing to adapt to industry transformations in the consumer market, and electric vehicle manufacturers need to design optimized components, including fasteners, to give their products a competitive edge.

Although electric vehicle fasteners account for a relatively low percentage of vehicle costs compared to key components like power batteries, motors, and controllers, they may occupy up to 50% of the material list. For all electric vehicle manufacturers, using correct, high-quality fasteners to optimize vehicle performance is extremely important.

The following are key factors that electric vehicle manufacturers consider when selecting the best automotive fasteners:

(1) Durability and Lightweighting: Cold forming can enhance the metallurgical properties and structural integrity of materials. Prioritizing component strength and durability, fasteners must meet precise tolerances and vibration requirements, with a yield strength of 65-90%, ensuring they do not loosen or damage during assembly or use. Automotive fastener design and manufacturing can ensure very high safety and reliability, helping maintain the main structure and integrity of electric vehicles.

(2) Enhancing Fastener Performance: With the application of electrical technology, manufacturing has become more advanced. Electric vehicle batteries are often heavier than those in gasoline or diesel vehicles, making the use of lightweight materials crucial for improving vehicle performance. Using various lightweight materials for fasteners helps enhance vehicle performance and operational efficiency.

(3) Corrosion Resistance: All vehicles, including electric vehicles, encounter moisture, cleaning chemicals, and road salt. Automotive fasteners must have high corrosion resistance. Aluminum, stainless steel, and titanium have

excellent yield strength and corrosion resistance, suitable for all automotive and electric vehicle applications. Applying the correct electroplating surface treatment helps reduce corrosion risks. As vehicles increasingly use aluminum and carbon fiber bodies, it is also necessary to consider galvanic corrosion to offset the weight increase.

(4) Lightweighting to Extend Battery Life: Using lightweight automotive fasteners in electric vehicles helps extend battery life. Lighter vehicles significantly reduce the stress on electric vehicle batteries, allowing for longer driving distances and better performance.

(5) Excellent Thermal Conductivity and Insulation: Electric vehicles generate a lot of heat during operation. If the vehicle's fasteners and components are not optimally designed, heat may transfer to critical components, potentially shortening battery life and affecting vehicle performance. Aluminum fasteners help dissipate heat in electric vehicles, and when combined with specialized heat exchangers, they can help speed up faster heat dissipation.

(6) Improving Energy Efficiency: Companies of any automotive assembly and manufacturing that use aluminum, titanium, or magnesium fasteners are advised to optimize electric vehicle energy consumption, enhancing overall vehicle performance and energy efficiency.

(7) Sustainability: The popularity of electric vehicles is largely due to their environmentally friendly appeal, so original equipment manufacturers must source fasteners from earth-friendly manufacturers.

2. Deployment and Business Opportunities

Pure electric vehicle manufacturers are transforming faster than conventional automakers, leveraging their technological innovation advantages. Traditional manufacturers face cost pressures during electric vehicle transformations, such as labor union strikes in the U.S., and concerns over EV manufacturing potentially threatening automotive workers’ jobs. With domestic market success, Chinese automakers are seeking to expand overseas production and sales to respond to potential economic impacts.

China is the world's largest automotive market, with electric vehicles accounting for 24.1% of the market in 2024, far exceeding the combined sales of 3 million electric vehicles in other regions. According to the data from Super Alloy Industrial, a Chinese automotive component supplier, global sales of electric vehicles, hybrid vehicles, and fuel cell vehicles grew to 17 million units in 2024, a 32.3% increase.

Chinese automakers are rapidly expanding in the electric vehicle industry, with significant growth in domestic market share. They are actively setting up production facilities in Europe, Southeast Asia, and Central and South America, exporting power batteries and electric vehicles to international markets. This expansion also provides development opportunities for Taiwanese fastener manufacturers.

2025美國納什維爾螺絲展

More Inquiries for Building Products

The annual Fastener Fair USA was held on May 2829 in Hall C of the Music City Center in Nashville, the 4th largest city in the Southeastern United States. It is one of the international professional trade fairs in North America dedicated to creating networking and collaboration opportunities among manufacturers, distributors, equipment suppliers, processors, and end-users in the fastener manufacturing supply chain.

This year, there were 206 exhibitors, mainly from the fields of construction, automotive, aerospace, furniture, electronics, heavy machinery, home appliances, marine, railway, medical, military, energy, etc. The exhibits included a wide range of industrial fasteners, construction fasteners, assembly and installation systems, and fastener manufacturing technologies. Fastener World also joined many Taiwanese exhibitors to interact with local buyers from the U.S. market this year.

According to Fastener World's staff’s observation on-site, there were several visitors coming to Taiwan Pavilion on the first day of the show, and some exhibitors who also exhibited last year even said that the number of visitors was higher than last year’s record, which might perhaps be attributed to various new tariff policies in the U.S. announced this year, exchange rate fluctuations, freight cost hike, and rising raw material costs and other uncertainties, forcing more local buyers to visit the show to look for more alternative new opportunities. Some visitors also expressed high interest in sourcing from Southeast Asian and Taiwanese suppliers. Many of the visitors visiting Fastener World’s stand showed high interest in purchasing construction-related products.

Although this show attracted many local U.S.-based exhibitors focusing on regional businesses to participate, it also attracted a number of international exhibitors from outside the U.S. looking for local importers and distributors to expand their collaboration. Some Chinese exhibitors noted that their U.S. customers still need to rely on Chinese suppliers for specific items that are not adequately supplied by the local market. On the other hand, Taiwanese suppliers also have fewer competitors in the U.S. market for certain higher value-added items, which are also attractive to local U.S. buyers, but they still need to pay attention to the possible impact of fluctuations in the exchange rate of NTD on their export competitiveness.

The organizer has announced that the next edition will be held on May 5-6, 2026 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, the 2nd largest city in the Southeastern United States. As the city is known for its major furniture manufacturing hub, it may also attract more buyers of furniture fasteners when FF USA is open next year.

Domestic Sales Still Focus on Price Cutting, While Exports Turn to Emerging Markets

Lessthan a month after IFS China ended at the end of this May, the 15th Fastener Expo Shanghai was successfully held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from June 17 to 19.

Called the “Global Innovation Platform for the High-end Fastener Industry”, Fastener Expo Shanghai is often regarded as one of the barometers for observing Chinese fastener industry. This year, Halls 1.1, 2.1, and 3 were opened, attracting more than 1,200 local and overseas exhibitors to display a wide range of standard/non-standard fasteners, automotive connectors, riveting products & technologies, metal formed parts, made of carbon steel, stainless steel, and special alloys, as well as cold heading equipment, heat treatment equipment, surface treatment, molds & dies, inspection equipment & lab instruments, etc on the 70,000 sq. m. of exhibition space. A few Taiwanese machinery and equipment companies also attended the exhibition in the hope of increasing orders from local fastener manufacturers in China.

The visitors this year were mainly from domestic China and not many from overseas. According to Fastener World's on-site staffs, there were overseas buyers from Kazakhstan, Turkey, Malaysia and Peru coming to Fastener World's booths, and Japanese visitors were also seen sometimes, probably due to the dates of two similar shows (one in May and the other in June) being too close to each other.

During the exhibition, many exhibitors and visitors also seized the time to exchange views on the recent US tariffs, EU anti-dumping, currency exchange rates, market challenges, business opportunities in emerging markets and other issues. Some Chinese exhibitors told Fastener World’s staffs that many Chinese enterprises are facing tough challenges in their business operations due to the anti-dumping duty from the EU, which is over 90%, and the uncertainty of U.S. tariffs, as well as the lack of subsidies from the Chinese government. However, some exhibitors said that many Chinese companies have already turned to non-European and non-U.S. markets, and are now doing well in the Middle East and Southeast Asia. In terms of domestic sales, some exhibitors said that the market is still in the doldrums, and the strategy of price cutting in China is still a difficult problem for many companies to deal with.

The organizer held more than 10 industry forums, the fastener gala night and the B2B matchmaking event during the exhibition. The next Fastener Expo Shanghai will be held on June 24-26, 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai), which will continue to provide an important business platform to promote view exchange, industrial learning, and business opportunities matchmaking.

Surging Crowds! Direct Buyers Urgently Need Local Supply in Thailand

The show held from June 18 to 21 at the Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre (BITEC) saw visitor numbers fill up within just half an hour of opening each day, clearly surpassing the attendance of the previous edition. This year’s event featured several notable new characteristics compared to last year’s:

Greater Diversity in Country Pavilions

In addition to the China and Taiwan pavilions, this year included pavilions from Singapore and South Korea, along with a dedicated section for industrial tools and tooling. A highlight was the Taiwan Excellence Award pavilion, which not only promoted award-winning Taiwanese companies but also hosted keynote presentations on Taiwan’s manufacturing technologies.

Increase in Japanese Exhibitors

Japanese companies have increased their investments in Thailand over recent years. Many Japanese exhibitors seen at the show either have local factories or joint ventures with Thai firms. They employ local Thai staff to provide on-site supply services. Most of these Japanese companies were from machinery and materials sectors outside the fastener industry.

Explosive Growth of Chinese Exhibitors

Unlike other country pavilions, there was not just one China pavilion but multiple scattered throughout the venue, and by including numerous smaller Chinese booths, exhibitors with Chinese backgrounds accounted for over 50% of the total exhibitors. Fastener World talked with a Chinese exhibitor who even estimated this share to exceed 70%. This exhibitor explained that intense involution in China has suppressed domestic sales, prompting many to target Thailand for export growth. To him, the surge in Chinese presence in this show came as no surprise.

Visitors Were Mostly “Direct Buyers”

The majority of buyers came from four key industries: electronics, assembly, automotive, and machinery. These sectors require fasteners in smaller quantities for assembly, so their purchase requirements share common traits: support for small-quantity supply, local manufacturing presence in Thailand, and the ability to provide customized products. This trend reflects that fastener companies able to supply locally in Thailand are the most competitive in entering the Thai market.

Outlook for Fastener Demand in Thailand Remains Positive

Many visitors to the Fastener World booth expressed difficulty finding local fastener suppliers despite strong demand. Fastener World offered them matchmaking with global suppliers and promoted fasteners, dies, tooling, and machinery through company reports and catalogs listed in Fastener World publications. Understanding the characteristics of these buyers offers interested suppliers a valuable opportunity to capture business in this Southeast Asian industrial hub.

Rising as a Manufacturing Powerhouse

Fastener and Fixing is Vietnam’s leading event in the fastener industry. This year, it was held concurrently with the Vietnam Manufacturing Expo (VME) from August 6 to 8, gathering exhibitors and professionals from diverse fields including assembly and installation systems, construction/industrial fasteners, and machinery. The exhibition provides participating companies with a gateway into one of Southeast Asia’s most important manufacturing hubs.

Although most exhibitors were domestic Vietnamese companies, the exhibitors also included A-Stainless International and Tainan Chin Chang Electrical from Taiwan. Besides local Vietnamese visitors, we also observed Bossard and Würth at the event. As these two German firms both have local branches in Vietnam, they sent personnel from their Vietnamese offices to visit the show. Fastener World leveraged the opportunity of this show to promote magazines and introduce high-quality fastener companies to the Vietnamese market.

Overall, Vietnam’s economic growth has slightly slowed in recent years due to tariff impacts. However, the local government remains actively committed to infrastructure and technological development, showing strong determination for expansion. At this exhibition, we noticed that Chinese exhibitors had a competitive advantage in pricing, while Taiwanese companies advancing into the Vietnamese market held stronger capabilities in machinery, molds, and stamping products.

Additionally, Vietnam is actively developing green transportation policies centered on electric motorcycles, providing subsidies and continuing related battery R&D. The government encourages the public to switch to electric motorcycles. Although policy support for electric cars is less apparent, the overall direction toward electrification is clear. From a market perspective, Vietnam’s industrial development is still in its early stage. However, with major companies like Bossard and Würth already established locally, combined with Southeast Asia becoming a global investment hotspot in recent years, Vietnam’s development potential in the next decade is not to be underestimated.

The opening dates of the next edition of the show have yet to be announced. For the latest event information, stay tuned to Fastener World’s official website.

Taiwanese Exhibitors Showcase Global Supply Chain Influence

From September 16 to 17, 2025, the International Fastener Expo (IFE) grandly opened at the renowned Mandalay Bay Convention Center. As one of the largest professional fastener exhibitions in North America, the show gathered fastener products, related technologies, and peripheral service suppliers from around the world. Taiwan, Turkey, and India specially set up their own pavilions, providing an important platform for industry professionals to exchange ideas and collaborate.

Taiwanese Fastener Stars Gather on the Grand US Stage

This year, Taiwanese exhibitors were led to IFE by Fastener World, the sales agent for Taiwanese booths, bringing together 60 quality Taiwanese exhibitors. The list included: Ably Screw, Aeh Fasten Industries, A-Stainless International, Bear Fastening Solutions, BiMirth, Chite Enterprises, Chong Cheng Fastener, Din Ling, Dragon Iron Factory, E Chain Industrial, Evereon Industries, Falcon Fastener, Fang Sheng Screw, Feng Yi Titanium Fasteners, Fong Prean Industrial, Fong Yien Industrial, Fontec Screws, Foss Reach Manufacturing, Gofast, Homn Reen Enterprise, Hong Yuan Pm, Hsiung Jen Industrial, Hu Pao Industries, Hwa Hsing Screw, J.C. Grand, Ji Li Deng, Jin Hsiang Enterprise, Jung Shen Technology, K. Ticho, Katsuhana Fasteners, Kingwin Precision, Kuntech International, Kwantex Research, L & W Fasteners, Link Upon, Linkwell Industry, Mao Chuan Industrial, Metal Fasteners, Mols Corporation, Pingood Enterprise, Ray Fu Enterprise, Rexlen, Rong Yih Jiang, Shaw Guang Enterprise, Sheh Fung Screws, Shinn Rung, Sintec, Soon Port International, Spec Products, Special Rivets Corp., Sun Through Industrial, Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute, Taiwan Metiz Alliance, Taiwan Precision Fastener, Taiwan Shan Yin, Wattson Fastener, Wei I Industry, Yiciscrew, and Yow Chern.

Copyright owned by Fastener World / Article by Gang Hao Chang, Vice Editor-in-Chief

The exhibits from Taiwanese companies covered high-strength screws, nuts, special fasteners, dies, equipment, and smart manufacturing solutions, showcasing Taiwan's competitive and diversified strength in the global fastener supply chain. Meanwhile, Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute also organized a group to exhibit, consolidating Taiwan’s industry power and jointly promoting its brand image.

Government-Industry Collaboration: Multiple Forces Create an International Ecosystem

In addition to exhibitors, the show attracted strong attention from Taiwanese government officials and research units. Economic Development Bureau of Kaohsiung City Government, Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute, Industrial Technology Research Institute, and the International Trade Administration (MOEA) all sent representatives to demonstrate the determination of the government and industry to jointly expand international markets. In the show, Fastener World’s staff actively interacted with local US importers, distributors, and end buyers to promote Taiwanese suppliers and successfully help build multi-party collaboration bridges.

A Grand Cross-Border Industry Exchange Gala by Fastener World

Notably, Fastener World not only served as the sales agent and communication coordinator for the Taiwan area but also facilitated in-depth exchanges between National Fastener Distributors Association and Taiwan Industrial Fasteners Institute, paving the way for future collaboration between the U.S. and Taiwan. On the evening of September 15 before the show, Fastener World held a special gala dinner titled “Fastener World Night” inviting Taiwanese exhibitors and international guests to gather. The lively atmosphere enabled industry professionals from different countries to exchange experiences and explore collaboration opportunities in a relaxing setting, making it a key highlight of the show.

From the U.S. to the World: Taiwan Fastener Industry to Reach New Heights

Overall, IFE 2025 not only showcased the latest trends in the global fastener industry but also highlighted Taiwan's influence in the international market. Through the efforts of Fastener World and related entities, Taiwanese exhibitors not only strengthened connections with the U.S. market but also successfully expanded more potential collaboration opportunities, laying a solid foundation for future international development.

Opportunity in Multi-Billion USD Infrastructure Demand

The 8th Egypt Projects, focused on the construction and hardware industry supply chain, was held from September 6 to 8 at Egypt International Exhibition Center this year. Located at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Middle East, and Africa, Egypt Projects hosted 230 exhibitors from 14 countries and 17,000 visitors last year. This year’s edition again attracted many local Egyptian, Middle Eastern, North African, and even Asian exhibitors showcasing their products and services, seeking partners, and building global supply chains.

This year, Fastener World also sent personnel to participate in the exhibition. Besides exchanging information with the local construction-related supply chain, we shared the latest magazine publications and extensive supplier information from European, American, and Asian markets with local buyers and visitors.

NINGBO CISINE FASTENER

37 Years of Technical Excellence Towards Global Brand Strength

Since its founding in 1988, Cisine has continuously innovated and developed into a specialized manufacturer and service provider integrating R&D, design, production, sales, and service of fasteners and blind rivets. After 37 years of experience and refinement, Cisine has not only earned the high trust of users both domestically and internationally but also established the well-known brand "CISINE FASTENER" for fasteners and the "NBCX RIVETS" series for rivet products.

Its factory covers 6,500 square meters, with a total site area of 7,000 square meters, equipped with nearly 100 advanced production machines following international production standards. Paired with strict quality testing processes, this ensures every batch of products leaving the factory meets clients’ high standards. The technical team has strong R&D capabilities, continuously launching innovative products to meet diverse client needs, and also offers various delicate small packaging options for DIY users.

Strict Quality Control; Client Satisfaction Exceeds 95%

Cisine prioritizes quality control and has obtained ISO 9001:2008 international quality management system certification. Strict standards are implemented from raw material procurement to finished product shipment. The raw material inspection pass rate exceeds 95%, and finished product pass rate is maintained at 100%, ensuring every product is of excellent quality and withstands rigorous inspection, fully reflecting the corporate tenet of "Quality First, Users Foremost."

Diverse Products, Wide Industry Applications

Materials include aluminum, steel, copper, iron, stainless steel, and more. Products are widely applied in industries such as aviation, shipbuilding, automotive, communications, electronics, mechanical equipment, decoration, containers, home appliances, luggage, furniture, and electrical instruments. The products serve markets throughout China and are exported to over 50 countries and regions across Europe, the Americas, and Asia. The company mainly serves B2B clients, successfully meeting the stringent requirements of domestic and international industry clients.

Favored by Large Enterprises, Growing Overseas Brand Influence

With solid product quality and a complete production system, the company has built a good reputation in international markets and is favored by many large enterprises in Europe, the U.S., and Asian countries. It continuously optimizes service processes, strives to enhance client experience, and aims to demonstrate its strength to potential clients in various industries, seeking collaboration opportunities to expand market presence.

As one of the most established companies in the Ningbo area, Cisine is dedicated to providing high-quality, reliable fastener solutions to clients worldwide. With increasing international competition, it will continue to strengthen R&D capabilities and production efficiency, and actively introduce advanced equipment and management models. Its over three decades of craftsmanship has created an outstanding benchmark in the rivet and fastener industry. Cisine is working together with global partners to create a brilliant future.

Ningbo Cisine Fastener’s contact: Bert Wu, Manager Email: cisine@cisine.com