As the core material for industrial temperature measurement, the global supply chain of thermocouple and RTD MI cable presents the characteristics of multi-level division of labor and regional specialization. The supply chain relies on the stable supply of high-purity metal materials (nickel, platinum, copper alloy, chromium alloy), and the manufacturing presents the pattern of "European and American technology leading, Asia-Pacific production capacity dominance", while the applications cover a wide range of demand fields such as power, petrochemical, aerospace, semiconductor, and medical, etc.
First,Raw material supply system
The manufacture of thermocouple and RTD Mineral insulated cable depends on the stable supply of special metal materials, mainly including nickel-chromium alloy (K, N, E type), copper-nickel alloy (J, T, RTD type), platinum-rhodium alloy (S/R type), etc. These materials account for about 60-70% of the production cost, and the global supply of raw materials is highly concentrated:
Nickel-based alloy: mainly from Russia (accounting for 25% of the global supply) and Canada (20%), used for K/N, E type thermocouples.
Platinum group metals: South Africa (70%) and Russia (20%) dominate the supply, used for high-temperature S/R/B type thermocouples.
Magnesium oxide insulation material: China is the world's largest producer, and its purity directly affects the insulation resistance of thermal resistors.
Second,Manufacturing and key technical
The production ofthermocouple and RTD MI cable involves three core technologies: precision wire drawing,heat treatment and annealing, and insulation filling. Manufacturers in different regions have differentiated advantages:
Wire drawing process: Japanese manufacturers (such as Okazaki) monopolize ultra-fine wire (≤0.1mm) technology, which can control the outer diameter of K-type thermocouple wire to 0.05mm for minimally invasive devices such as medical catheters. Chinese manufacturers (Tiankang Group) have leading production capacity in the field of temperature instruments.
Third，Regional supply chain pattern
North America:
The North American supply chain has core advantages in technology research and development and high-end product manufacturing. It has leading companies such as MICT, ARI, and Omega Engineering, focusing on the production of ultra-high temperature (>1200°C) and ultra-fine (diameter ≤0.1mm) thermocouples for aerospace and semiconductors. The region's production capacity accounts for 20% of the world, but it contributes 35% of the high-end market share.
Europe: The European supply chain is known for precision manufacturing and green technology. Companies such as WIKA (ISOMIL) and Okazaki dominate the high-end market, and the regional production capacity accounts for 25% of the world. INCONEL is its mainstream material, which has certain cost advantages.
Asia Pacific: The Asia Pacific region contributes 55% of the world's production capacity, of which China accounts for 35% andother countries account for 15%. The regional supply chain presents a multi-level division of labor:
Japan: Technological high ground,Okazaki monopolizes 90% of the world's ≤0.1mm ultra-fine thermocouples;
China:Production capacity and industrial chain advantages. Tiankang, Chuanyi and other companies have improved their cost-effectiveness through automation transformation. The cost of general-purpose products is more than 30% lower than that of Europe and the United States, and the local demand is strong. SUPER INSTRUMENT LTD (SICC) has gradually grown in the field of special temperature materials such as high precision and high stability, accumulated excellent professional technical strength, and has a certain reputation in the overseas market.
Southeast Asia: an emerging manufacturing base. India, Thailand, and Vietnam have taken over the low-end production capacity transferred from China, but the raw materials still rely on China.
The global thermocouple and RTD MI cable market is highly concentrated, and leading companies dominate the market competition with their technological research and development, brand influence, global marketing network and economies of scale. However, with the diversification of market demand and the rise of emerging companies, the market competition landscape is gradually showing a diversified trend. Some medium-sized enterprises have also gained a share of the market by focusing on market segments and providing customized services.
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