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Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining in the UK - Market Size, Industry Analysis, Trends and Forecasts (2025-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler London, United Kingdom Last Updated: July 2025 SIC UK-C2592

Revenue

£203.1bn

2025-26

£213.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

£XX.Xbn

Employees

1m

Businesses

255k

Wages

£XX.Xbn

Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining in the UK industry analysis

The Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in Europe is all about honing and enhancing metal. Companies use processes such as electroplating, heat treatment and laser cutting to get metals ready for various end uses – anything from construction to motor vehicle manufacturing. However, this work isn't easy or cheap, as it needs lots of energy. The ever-rising energy costs in Europe have pushed up production costs, hitting countries like Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Austria pretty hard. Nonetheless, industry revenue is expected to rise at a compound annual rate of 3.6% over the five years through 2025 to €203.1 billion – including an estimated 1.9% increase over the current year.

Trends and Insights

  • High energy costs and construction slumps have troubled the industry. Soaring energy prices have driven up production costs, while volatile steel prices and downstream demand have hurt revenue growth.
  • European metal treatment and coating providers are embracing cutting-edge tech and sustainability. From Computer Numerical Control in machining services to eco-friendly coatings, trends point towards innovative, efficient and sustainable practices shaping the industry's future.
  • Economies of scale drive concentration for metal treatment and coating service providers. Manufacturers with large-scale operations can lower per-unit costs and deliver competitive pricing, while maintaining high-quality standards, propelling them ahead in the market competition.
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Top Questions Answered in this Report

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What is the market size of the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

The market size of the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom is £203.1bn in 2025.

How many businesses are there in the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom in 2025?

There are 255k businesses in the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 3.6 % between 2020 and 2025.

Has the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom has been growing at a CAGR of 4.8 % between 2020 and 2025.

What is the forecast growth of the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.

What does the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom include?

Metal coating, engraving and allied services and Electroplating, plating, cleaning, hardening, buffing, anodizing and colouring services are part of the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom.

How competitive is the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining industry in the United Kingdom.

Everything you need in one report

  • Reliable market estimates from 2015-2030
  • Competitive analysis, industry segmentation, financial benchmarks
  • Powerful SWOT, Porter’s Five Forces and risk management frameworks
  • Online membership platform with PDF, Word, Excel and PPT exports

Table of Contents

External Environment

Highlights

Trends
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key Takeaways

Regulation pushes towards a greener steel industry in Europe. Government regulations and policy initiatives are steering the industry towards more sustainable and environmentally friendly practices. Both legislative mandates and incentives are driving this shift.

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External Drivers

Analysis

What demographic and macroeconomic factors impact the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining in the UK industry?

Financial Benchmarks

Highlights

Trends
  • Profit Margin
  • Average Wage
  • Largest Cost

Key Takeaways

Material costs dominate in the industry. Recent geopolitical turmoil escalated these costs, prompting manufacturers to renegotiate supplies, improve efficiencies and explore alternative resources, bracing for stabilisation in 2024.

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Cost Structure

Charts
  • Share of Economy vs. Investment Matrix
  • Industry Cost Structure Benchmarks:
    • Marketing
    • Depreciation
    • Profit
    • Purchases
    • Wages
    • Rent
    • Utilities
    • Other
Analysis

What trends impact cost in the Metal Treatment, Coating & Machining in the UK industry?


Key Ratios

Data tables
  • IVA/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Imports/Demand (2015-2030)
  • Exports/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Revenue per Employee (2015-2030)
  • Wages/Revenue (2015-2030)
  • Employees per Establishment (2015-2030)
  • Average Wage (2015-2030)

Country Benchmarks

European Leaders & Laggards

Data Tables

Top and bottom five countries listed for each:

  • Revenue Growth (2025)
  • Business Growth (2025)
  • Job Growth (2025)

European Country Performance

Data Tables

Rankings available for 37 countries. Statistics ranked include:

  • IVA/Revenue (2025)
  • Imports/Demand (2025)
  • Exports/Revenue (2025)
  • Revenue per Employee (2025)
  • Wages/Revenue (2025)
  • Employees per Establishment (2025)
  • Average Wage (2025)

Structural Comparison

Data Tables

Trends in 37 countries benchmarked against trends in Europe

  • Concentration
  • Competition
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Buyer Power
  • Supplier Power
  • Volatility
  • Capital Intensity
  • Innovation
  • Life Cycle

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2015-2030)
  • IVA (2015-2030)
  • Establishments (2015-2030)
  • Enterprises (2015-2030)
  • Employment (2015-2030)
  • Exports (2015-2030)
  • Imports (2015-2030)
  • Wages (2015-2030)

Methodology

Where does IBISWorld source its data?

IBISWorld is a world-leading provider of business information, with reports on 5,000+ industries in Australia, New Zealand, North America, Europe and China. Our expert industry analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build an accurate picture of each industry.

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