The welding and cutting of steel and other metals takes place in many industries. Although steel remains by far the most widely used metal, high performance alloys are being increasingly used to construct sections of ships, offshore platforms and in the automotive industry.
Major global end-user segments are:
- the energy sector, which includes the oil and gas industries, electricity generation and transmission and renewable energy, is the largest user of welding consumables and equipment. Many applications, such as the construction of electricity generating plants, including nuclear, are extremely stringent in their specifications for the welding consumables which they use. Wind towers are a rapidly growing sub-segment of the energy sector, the construction of which requires advanced automation equipment and uses relatively high levels of welding consumables.
- infrastructure construction, where welding plays an important role in the fabrication of infrastructure such as the construction of sewerage systems and light rail networks. In contrast, relatively little welding is used in the construction of residential or commercial buildings.
- the transport segment includes automotive original equipment manufacturers (‘OEMs’), most of which require technically demanding welding solutions for use within their highly automated production environments. This segment also includes ‘off road’ vehicles such as excavators, dumpers and agricultural equipment, as well as rail vehicles, all of which generally require high levels of welding.
- shipyards, which are amongst the largest and most demanding users of both welding and cutting products. ESAB supplies welding and cutting products to shipyards in Europe, South America, the USA and certain countries in Asia including, through its associated company ESAB SeAH, South Korea.
In addition, welding takes place in many other industries where steel is used which supply many types of consumer durables and light industrial goods. As well as original manufacture, repair and maintenance applications are also important components of overall demand.