Electric Motor Silicon Steel Lamination Market - Global Forecast 2026-2032

The Electric Motor Silicon Steel Lamination Market size was estimated at USD 9.67 billion in 2025 and expected to reach USD 10.54 billion in 2026, at a CAGR of 8.57% to reach USD 17.21 billion by 2032.

The market for electric motor silicon steel lamination stands at the intersection of technological innovation and evolving energy demands, serving as a cornerstone for efficiency gains across electric vehicles, industrial motors, home appliances, and power generation equipment. As automakers accelerate their transition to battery electric and hybrid powertrains, the demand for precision-engineered lamination stacks with optimized magnetic and electrical properties has surged, driving material performance requirements to new heights. Global electric car sales exceeded 17 million in 2024, and are expected to surpass 20 million units in 2025, underscoring the critical importance of high-performance silicon steel in today’s electrified mobility landscape

The landscape for electric motor silicon steel lamination is undergoing fundamental transformation under the influence of sustainability mandates, material science breakthroughs, and digitalization initiatives. Worldwide, electric car sales share climbed above 20% in 2024 and are forecast to reach a quarter of new car sales in 2025, triggering OEMs to demand laminations with ultra-low core losses and precise grain orientation to maximize motor efficiency. Concurrently, the industry’s commitment to decarbonization has driven a steady rise in scrap-based electric arc furnace production, which now contributes more than two-thirds of global steel output, leveraging circular economy principles to lower carbon footprints and energy intensity.

In early 2025, the reinstatement of a uniform 25% ad valorem tariff on all steel imports under Section 232 eliminated longstanding country and product exemptions, marking a significant shift in U.S. trade policy aimed at protecting domestic steel producers. Effective June 4, 2025, the tariff rate doubled to 50% for steel and aluminum imports, while also expanding coverage to downstream derivative articles, including transformers, motor laminations, and other electrical steel products, thus amplifying input cost pressures throughout the supply chain. Moreover, a February 2025 proclamation terminated the product exclusion process, curtailing import loopholes and reinforcing the barrier to cheaper foreign-sourced laminations.

Lamination type plays a pivotal role in aligning material characteristics with application requirements. Grain oriented silicon steel offers exceptional magnetic permeability and minimal hysteresis losses, making it the material of choice for transformer cores and high-efficiency generators, whereas non-grain oriented variants deliver balanced magnetic and mechanical properties tailored for rotating machinery such as electric vehicle and industrial motors. Material thickness further refines performance trade-offs: ultra-thin gauges below 0.25 mm excel in high-frequency applications with reduced eddy current losses, mid-range thicknesses from 0.25 to 0.50 mm strike an optimal balance between manufacturability and core loss, and thicker laminations above 0.50 mm are leveraged in lower-frequency, cost-sensitive segments.

The Americas region, driven by robust electric vehicle adoption in the United States and Canada as well as ongoing investments in domestic steel capacity, has seen increasing demand for both grain oriented and non-grain oriented laminations. Tariff protections have spurred investments in new U.S.–based electrical steel facilities, enabling OEMs and independent suppliers to secure localized supply chains. In Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, policy incentives for renewable energy integration and decarbonization have elevated the importance of low-loss transformer cores and generator laminations, prompting regional steel producers to enhance coating technologies and optimize grain structures to meet stringent efficiency standards. The Asia-Pacific region remains the world’s largest consumer of silicon steel laminations, with China’s leadership in electric vehicle manufacturing and major capacity expansions in Japan and South Korea driving unparalleled volumes. This region’s cost advantages and technological partnerships continue to support a broad spectrum of end-use applications, from home appliance motors to high-capacity power generation units.

ArcelorMittal has reinforced its leadership through landmark investments, including a joint venture with China Oriental Group to deploy high-end processing lines for electric vehicle motor laminations in Changzhou, China, supplied by ANDRITZ, and plans to construct a new non-grain oriented electrical steel facility in Alabama with an annual capacity of 150,000 metric tons to support U.S. mobility and renewable energy markets. Global steel majors such as POSCO and Nippon Steel are accelerating R&D collaborations on advanced grain orientation, digital twins, and process automation to reduce core losses and enhance product consistency. Steel Dynamics and Nucor are leveraging electric arc furnace platforms to supply cost-competitive, low-carbon laminations, while Japanese and European specialist mills continue to refine inorganic and organic coating systems that extend insulation performance under high-speed rotational stresses.

Industry leaders should proactively align product portfolios with the evolving tariff landscape by securing long-term supplier agreements and evaluating onshore manufacturing expansions to mitigate import costs. Investing in digital transformation-such as AI-driven predictive maintenance, real-time quality monitoring, and digital twin simulations-can boost production yield, shorten lead times, and reduce scrap rates. Collaborating closely with OEMs to co-develop tailored lamination grades for battery electric and hybrid powertrains will reinforce differentiation and foster deeper customer partnerships. Further, prioritizing sustainable production pathways-including increased scrap utilization, energy-efficient annealing processes, and enhanced coating recyclability-will meet regulatory expectations and improve corporate sustainability profiles. Finally, diversifying geographic exposure while strengthening supplier resilience through dual-sourcing strategies can safeguard operations against future trade disruptions.

This research integrates an extensive secondary data review of industry publications, trade association reports, and government proclamations, complemented by primary interviews with senior executives from leading silicon steel laminators, electric motor OEMs, equipment vendors, and independent suppliers. Historical and current data points were validated through cross-referencing multiple sources, ensuring robust triangulation of market dynamics. A structured segmentation framework guided the analysis across lamination types, material thicknesses, end-use verticals, coating categories, and supplier models, supported by qualitative insights from expert panels. Finally, all findings were peer-reviewed by a multi-disciplinary team of market analysts and technical specialists to uphold methodological rigor and eliminate bias.

The electric motor silicon steel lamination market is being reshaped by a confluence of technological, regulatory, and economic forces. Transformative shifts in electric vehicle adoption, energy efficiency mandates, and digital manufacturing have elevated material performance expectations, while renewed trade barriers have forced a strategic reassessment of supply chain models. Segmentation insights reveal that material thickness, lamination type, coating innovations, and end-use specialization are pivotal for capturing value in diverse markets. Regional analyses underscore distinct growth drivers in the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific, while leading companies are forging alliances and expanding capacity to secure competitive advantage. Looking ahead, the intersection of sustainability commitments, advanced production technologies, and strategic partnerships will define the next chapter of growth and differentiation in this critical materials segment.

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