From October 29 to 31, 2025, Korea Metal Week, a key industrial event in Asia, was successfully held at the KINTEX in South Korea. As an authoritative media outlet in China's fastener industry and a vital bridge connecting the Chinese and international markets, CFM attended the event with the latest 43rd issue of China Fastener Magazine (CFM), engaging with global industry peers to discuss the current status and future of the fastener markets in China and South Korea.

This year’s exhibition brought together 237 global exhibitors, including over 100 Chinese exhibitors (around 40 of which were fastener enterprises). Covering 14 major themes such as fasteners, forging, auto parts, and 3D printing, the event fully showcased the latest achievements in metal materials, manufacturing technology, and smart factories.

CFM’s booth attracted many international buyers and industry professionals during the exhibition. They not only requested copies of the magazine but also held in-depth discussions with CFM’s team on the supply chain advantages, innovative products, and potential cooperation opportunities of China’s fastener industry. Taking this opportunity, CFM staff also introduced the Overseas Buyer Database (OBD) to international friends and actively promoted the Fastener Expo Shanghai - scheduled to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai) from June 24 to 26, 2026. The on-site communication was lively, and valuable feedback was collected from numerous potential overseas buyers.

Auto Industry Drives Sustained Market Expansion

The exhibition served not only as a display platform but also as an information exchange hub. According to authoritative data from the Korea Federation of Fastener Industry Cooperatives‌ (KFFIC), the demand structure of South Korea’s fastener market is distinct: the automotive industry accounts for a dominant 73% share, making it the core driver, while the construction and electronics industries account for 9% and 6% respectively. This data clearly identifies the focus of the South Korean market and provides key strategic guidance for enterprises seeking to enter or deepen their presence in this market.

Meanwhile, South Korea’s domestic fastener industry has shown a strong recovery momentum. Data indicates that by 2022, the average shipment value per factory of South Korean fastener enterprises (with 10 or more employees) had increased by 19.5% compared to 2020, demonstrating the vitality and resilience of the region’s manufacturing sector.

Solid Foundation for China-South Korea Fastener Cooperation

China and South Korea have inherent complementarity in fastener trade. Customs data shows that China has long been South Korea’s largest source of fastener imports. In 2024, for example, South Korea imported 200,000 metric tons of fasteners, of which 183,000 metric tons (valued at USD 300 million) came from China - far exceeding imports from other countries. This close trade relationship continued in January-September 2025, with products such as bolts and nuts remaining the mainstay of bilateral trade.

Table 1: South Korea’s Fastener Import and Export Situation from 2020 to 2024

Table 2: Ranking of South Korea’s Fastener Import Regions by Value in 2024

During the Korea Metal Week, CFM successfully brought the voice of China's fastener industry to the international stage. Through firsthand exchanges, we deeply felt the tremendous potential for cooperation between the fastener industries of China and South Korea, especially against the backdrop of increasingly close economic and trade relations between the two countries. In the future, CFM will continue to uphold the spirit of professionalism and focus, leveraging its role as an industry media platform and bridge to help Chinese fastener companies stay attuned to global market trends and jointly write a new chapter of win-win collaboration.