Rare metals, alloys, and composites are key materials for aerospace, defense, semiconductors, and electric vehicles, and have emerged as strategic resources amidst the restructuring of global supply chains.
As of the third quarter of 2025, South Korea's exports reached USD 6.8 billion , an 8.2% increase year-on-year (according to statistics from the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and UN Comtrade).
The benefit of understanding this information: understanding trends in securing rare resources and transitioning to eco-friendly materials can help establish national materials strategies and export policy directions.
Among HS 81 and 82 categories, titanium, tungsten, molybdenum, nickel, and composite materials are key products.
division | HS code examples | Representative items | Strategy Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| high-strength alloy | HS 81.08 | titanium-nickel alloy | Rapid increase in demand for aviation, defense, and medical materials |
| rare metals | HS 81.07 | Tungsten and molybdenum | For semiconductor equipment and precision tools |
| composite materials | HS 82.12, 82.15 | carbon fiber and metal composite | Responding to lightweight and ESG demands |
By identifying the industrial linkage structure and technological gaps by material, we can develop specific national R&D and export strategies.
Country/Region | Strong items | Market characteristics | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA | titanium-carbon composites | High demand in the aviation and defense industries, but high technological barriers. | High-quality, long-term supply contracts are essential. |
| japan | Tungsten and molybdenum | Semiconductor equipment and tool precision market | Prioritizing precision and durability over price |
| germany | Nickel and high-strength alloy | Automotive and machinery industry linkage | Growing demand for eco-friendly materials and recycling |
Understand country-specific material standards and procurement policies to optimize export risk and profitability.
item | Number/estimate | unit | note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual production capacity | About 420 thousand tons | ton | Total domestic production of rare metals and alloys |
| Exportable quantity | About 220 thousand tons (52%) | ton | Excluding domestic demand and defense contracts |
| 3rd quarter exports | USD 6.8 billion | USD | +8.2% increase year-on-year |
You can establish supply plans and contract strategies by assessing actual production capacity and export leeway.
field | Main specifications | note |
|---|---|---|
| titanium | ASTM B348 / AMS 4928 | Aviation and medical standards |
| Tungsten and molybdenum | ASTM B760 / ISO 9001 | Precision machining applications |
| composite materials | ISO 14125 / ASTM D3039 | Carbon fiber composite property testing |
Developing products that meet international standards makes it easier to secure export opportunities and price premiums.
division | Certification name | Applicable area |
|---|---|---|
| quality | ISO 9001, AS9100 | Global aviation and defense industry |
| environment | ISO 14001, RoHS | EU and US environmental regulations |
| Energy efficiency | ISO 50001 | ESG evaluation linkage |
Obtaining international certification enables expansion of procurement bidding qualifications and partnerships.
Product group | means of transportation | Lead time | Key Risks |
|---|---|---|---|
| metal alloy | Marine Bulk / Air | 20~35 days | Weight, temperature, and insurance issues |
| composite materials | Aviation / Container | 10~25 days | Damage and humidity management |
| rare metals | Marine + Inland Complex | 25~40 days | Import restrictions and customs clearance delays |
It can be used to establish a logistics plan that balances delivery and cost, and to establish inventory and insurance strategies.
Product group | MOQ | unit | characteristic |
|---|---|---|---|
| titanium alloy | 5 tons or more | ton | Limited to small sample transactions |
| composite materials | 2 tons or more | ton | Customized production and processing type |
| rare metals | 10 tons or more | ton | Focused on bulk supply contracts |
You can optimize production, inventory, and contract units based on MOQ.
cord | item | example | conjugation |
|---|---|---|---|
| (A) | Unit price/transaction price range | USD 4,000 ~ 6,500 / ton | Price competitiveness analysis |
| (B) | seasonality | Increased demand for industrial and defense products in Q3 | Production and inventory adjustments |
| (C) | Tariffs and non-tariffs | Implementation of the EU Environmental Carbon Tax | Profitability Analysis |
| (D) | Domestic alternative industries | New non-ferrous metal processing process | Supply diversification |
| (E) | ESG·Net Zero | Eco-friendly recycled alloys on the rise | Policy linkage |
| (F) | Country-specific risks | Dependence on China: 0.35 | Supply chain diversification |
| (G) | Buyer List | Boeing, Airbus, Raytheon | Expanding orders |
You can improve your investment and contract strategies by quantitatively understanding market, price, and supply chain risks.
segment | ΔExport(%) | ΔPrice(%) | ΔCountryShare(pp) | TrustIndex(0–1) | 3M Forecast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| titanium alloy | +1.8% | +0.6% | +0.3 pp | 0.76 | Strong demand for aviation and medical materials |
| Tungsten and molybdenum | +1.2% | +0.4% | +0.1 pp | 0.72 | Slowing demand for tools and semiconductor equipment |
| composite materials | +2.5% | +0.8% | +0.2 pp | 0.78 | Continued benefits from carbon neutrality policies |
Short-term export scalability and risk prediction improves the accuracy of production and sales decision-making.
