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Superhard Materials — Industrial Diamonds & CBN: 2026

The Hard and Superhard Materials industry provides essential materials for cutting, grinding, drilling, and wear applications across manufacturing, mining, construction, and oil & gas sectors. From cemented carbides, ceramics, cubic boron nitride (CBN), and polycrystalline diamond (PCD) that deliver extreme hardness and wear resistance to breakthrough innovations in functionally graded materials, nanostructured carbides, binderless ceramics, and next-generation composite materials, this foundational market continues advancing through revolutionary developments in material science, powder metallurgy, and application engineering.

Our comprehensive market intelligence platform provides strategic insights spanning 2000 to 2040, supported by a peer-reviewed database refined through 15 years of industry analysis. Through our integrated suite of research solutions—detailed market reports, real-time data visualization via our Ulysses platform, downloadable data packages, competitive intelligence profiles, and targeted market briefs—we deliver the data-driven intelligence that industry leaders require to navigate emerging hard materials technologies.

200+ million

Data Points

20+ Years

Market Insights

90% +

Model Accuracy

100+

Input Parameters

75+

Product Types/Subtypes

50+

Region/Country Coverage

30+

Industry Coverage

150+

Companies Covered

Recognized by industry leaders:

and more...
Market Intelligence Report

Superhard Materials — Industrial Diamonds & CBN: 2026

With 15 years of specialized focus on the machining and materials industry, Dedalus Consulting delivers intelligence coverage that offers the most comprehensive data and analysis available. Our published research report is in its 8th edition. This comprehensive industry report provides a detailed breakdown of the technology and market dynamics driving the global hard and superhard materials sector. Quantitative and qualitative analyses are presented for the years 2024 through 2040, and the report has been completely revised and updated to present up-to-date trends and forecasts covering cemented carbides, ceramics, cubic boron nitride (CBN), and polycrystalline diamond (PCD).

Global markets are broken down by consumption ($mm) and volume by country, end-user industry, material type, application, grade, form factor, distribution channels, and competitor.

Revision Date: December 2025
Pages: 150+
Charts/Graphs: 200+
Years Covered: 2004-2024 Actual, 2025 Estimate, 2026-2040 Forecasts
Parametric Breakdowns: Year, Country, End-User Industry, Product Type, Grade, Form Factor, Applications, Distribution Channels, Competitive Environment...
Companies Researched: 150+
Delivery Method: PDF or Web Viewer Depending on License

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Summary of Report Contents

Scope of Coverage

Summary of Report Contents

This Published Research Report is divided into sections according to material. It includes a market/technology overview, demand by product, application, end-user industry, country, and competitive environment. Each section is divided according to specific market criteria listed below.

The report contains over 150 pages and over 200 charts/graphs.

Scope of Coverage

The following categories present how the data was developed, organized and is presented. Breaking the data into specific categories is essential to analyze and draw meaningful insights. The breakdowns are designed to highlight key patterns and trends in the data, as well as to facilitate comparisons between different groups or segments.

Research Objectives

The primary objectives in this analysis are:

  • To provide clients with the tools they need to accurately assess their market opportunities and potential;
  • To determine the size of the total market opportunity by product types, end-user industry, applications, and country;
  • To forecast future growth in each product by geographic and end-use market; and
  • To assess the competitive environment within the market including supplier sales and market share.

Methodology & Sources

Dedalus Consulting employs all current market and competitive intelligence techniques in order to ensure comprehensive research and analysis. This includes primary and secondary research. The research methodology applies generally to all database services, published and custom research. It can also be modified to suit a project and the client’s specific objectives.

Market trends and forecasts are provided for the years 2024-2030.

Product Types Covered

Industrial Diamonds

  • Natural
  • Synthetic

Industrial Diamond Forms

  • Powder
  • Grit
  • Bort
  • PCD
  • CVD
  • Single Crystal

Boron Nitride

  • cBN
  • PcBN

Ceramics

  • Silicon Carbide (black, green, others.)
  • Aluminum Oxides (white, brown, doped, others)
  • Other Aluminas
  • Boron Carbide
  • Cermets
  • Silicon Nitride
  • Composites

Cemented Carbides

  • Tungsten Raw Materials
  • Alloy Materials
  • Preforms
  • Other

Tool Steels

  • High-Speed Steel
  • Hot-work
  • Cold-work
  • Shock-Resistant
  • Mold Steels
  • Special-Purpose

Applications Covered

  • Abrasives
  • Coatings
  • Cutting Tools
  • General Medical
  • Precision Parts
  • Refractory Parts
  • Sensors
  • Semiconductor Fabrication
  • Subsystem Components
  • Thermal Components
  • Wear Parts
  • Other

End-User Industries Covered

  • Aerospace
  • Alternative Energy
  • Automotive
  • Chemical Processing
  • Communications
  • Construction
  • Defense/Military
  • Die & Mold
  • Electronic/Optoelectronic
  • General Machining
  • Medical/Research
  • Mining
  • Oil & Gas
  • Paper & Pulp Industry
  • Power Generation
  • Railroads
  • Shipbuilding
  • Other

Geographic Coverage

Each product is broken down by each of the following geographic regions:

  • China
  • United States
  • Germany
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Italy
  • France
  • Taiwan
  • United Kingdom
  • Brazil
  • Russia
  • CIS
  • India
  • Spain
  • Switzerland
  • Other EU
  • Other NAFTA
  • Other Europe
  • Other Asia/Pacific
  • Other Latin America
  • Rest of World

Timeframe

  • 2024 base year
  • 2025 estimated
  • Forecasts: 2024-2030
Section 1: Industry Overview

Section 1: Industry Overview

Technology Overview

General Technology Trends

  • Product Definitions
  • Materials Synthesis
  • High-Pressure Experiments
  • Thin-Film Coatings
  • CVD
  • PCD

General Industry Trends

Section 2: Industrial Diamonds

Section 2: Industrial Diamonds

  • Total World Demand
    • Regional Breakdown
    • High-Growth Markets
    • Market Drivers

World Market by Type

  • Natural Diamond
  • Synthetic Diamond
  • CVD Diamond (Chemical Vapor Deposition)
  • PCD (Polycrystalline Diamond)
  • Single Crystal Diamond
  • Bort
  • Grit/Microgrit
  • Powder
  • Stone

Market Factors

  • World Market by End-User
  • World Market by Application
  • Pricing by Application Trends
  • US Producer Shipments
  • Distribution Channels (National, Regional, Local)
  • Distributor Markups
  • World Competitive Environment
  • Industry Trends and Forecasts
  • High-Growth Markets
  • Technology Trends
  • Five-Year Outlook
Section 3: CBN/PCBN

Section 3: CBN/PCBN

  • Total World Demand
    • Regional Breakdown
    • High-Growth Markets
    • Market Drivers

World Market by Type

  • Pricing Trends by Type
  • PcBN/cBN
  • Microgrit
  • Powder

Market Factors

  • World Market by End-User
  • World Market by Application
  • Pricing by Application Trends
  • US Producer Shipments
  • Distribution Channels (National, Regional, Local)
  • Distributor Markups
  • World Competitive Environment
  • Industry Trends and Forecasts
  • High-Growth Markets
  • Technology Trends
  • Five-Year Outlook
List of Tables

List of Tables

  • Table 1.1: World Hard & Superhard Materials Demand by Region ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.2: World Hard & Superhard Materials Demand by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.3: World Hard & Superhard Materials Demand, Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.4: World Hard & Superhard Materials Demand by Type ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.5: World Hard & Superhard Materials Demand by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.6: World Hard & Superhard Materials Demand, Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.7: World Hard & Superhard Demand by End-User Industry ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.8: World Hard & Superhard Consumption by End-User Industry (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 1.9: World Hard & Superhard Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.1: World Industrial Diamond Consumption by Region ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.2: World Industrial Diamonds Consumption by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.3: World Industrial Diamonds Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.4: World Industrial Diamond Consumption by Region (Units Carats MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.5: World Industrial Diamond Consumption by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.6: World Industrial Diamond Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.7: World Industrial Diamond ASP by Region ($/Carat): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.8: World Industrial Diamond ASP Year-over-Year Change by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.9: World Industrial Diamond Demand by Type ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.10: World Industrial Diamond Demand by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.11: World Industrial Diamond Demand, Year-over-Year Growth by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.12: World Industrial Diamond Demand by Type ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.13: China Cutting Tool Consumption by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.14: China Cutting Tool Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.15: World Industrial Diamond Demand by End-User Industry ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.16: World Industrial Diamond Consumption by End-User Industry (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.17: World Industrial Diamond Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.18: World Industrial Diamond Demand by Application ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.19: World Industrial Diamond Consumption by End-User Industry (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 2.20: World Industrial Diamond Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.1: World cBN/PcBN Demand by Region ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.2: World cBN/PcBN Demand by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.3: World cBN/PcBN Demand, Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.4: World cBN/PcBN Demand by Region (CaratsMM): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.5: World cBN/PcBN Demand by Region (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.6: World cBN/PcBN Demand, Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.7: ASP for cBN/PcBNs by Region ($/Carat): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.8: World cBN/PcBN Demand by Type ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.9: World cBN/PcBN Consumption by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.10: World cBN/PcBN Year-over-Year Growth by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.11: World cBN/PcBN Demand by Type ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.12: World cBN/PcBN Consumption by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.13: World cBN/PcBN Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by Type (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.14: World cBN Demand by End-User Industry ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.15: China Cutting Tool Consumption by End-User Industry (%/$MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.16: China Cutting Tool Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.17: World cBN/PcBN Demand by Application ($MM): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.18: World cBN/PcBN Consumption by End-User Industry (%): 2024-2030
  • Table 3.19: World cBN/PcBN Consumption Year-over-Year Growth by End-User (%): 2024-2030
List of Companies Researched
  • • 3M
  • Advanced Diamond Solutions/P1 Diamond
  • Allegheny Technologies
  • Associated Steel/Ludlow Steel Co.
  • Basic Carbide
  • BHP Billiton
  • Bohler-Uddeholm
  • Brush Wellman
  • Carbide Processors
  • Carpenter Technology
  • Ceradyne
  • CeramTec
  • Ceratizit
  • Cermet
  • CEVP
  • COI Ceramics
  • CoorsTek
  • Dev Group
  • Diamond Innovations (formerly GE Superabrasives)
  • Element Six
  • Eurotungstene
  • Exolon/Washington Mills
  • Extramet
  • Fansteel
  • Firestone
  • Fives Cinetic
  • HC Starck
  • Henan Huanghe Whirlwind International
  • Hitachi Metals
  • Iljin Diamond Co.
  • Innovative Carbide
  • International Ceramics
  • Kennametal
  • Konrad Friedrichs
  • Kramer Industries Steel Grit
  • Kyocera
  • Lieber & Solow
  • LTD Ceramics
  • MacDonald Carbide
  • Maruwa
  • Mitsubishi Materials
  • MITSUI & Co
  • Momentive/GE Advanced Materials
  • Morgan Crucible
  • Noritake
  • North American Steel/Pyramid Steel
  • NTK
  • Performance Materials
  • Poltava
  • QM Technologies
  • Real Dzerzhinsk
  • Rio Tinto
  • Rohm & Haas
  • Rosst Enterprises
  • Saint-Gobain Group
  • Sandvik Hard Materials
  • Saxonburg Ceramics
  • SeverStal/Lucchini
  • SGL Group
  • Showa Denko
  • Silicon Carbide Products
  • Silkroad
  • SP3 Diamond Technologies
  • Ssangyong
  • Sumitomo Electric Carbide
  • Sun Diamond
  • Superior Technical Ceramics
  • Synthetic Diamond Powders
  • TBW Industries
  • ThyssenKrupp Group
  • Timken
  • Tomei Diamond
  • Toshiba Tungaloy
  • TOSOH Corp
  • Ultradiamond
  • Valenite
  • Van Moppes
  • Venyov
  • Vista
  • VZS/Seagoe
  • Well Superabrasive
  • Zhengzhou Sino-Crystal Diamond Joint
  • Zhongnan Diamond
  • Zhuzhou Seed Cemented Carbide
Ulysses: Market and Competition Analytics Dashboards

Ulysses™ is a dashboard-based, on-demand market intelligence platform that delivers dynamic, multi-dimensional data access rather than static reports. Built on over two decades of our trusted knowledge base and expertise, the Hard and Superhard Materials database is populated by millions of data points per product group, spanning historical data from 2004 through forecasts to 2040.

The platform operates as a 24/7/365 accessible research tool that allows users to conduct custom searches across multiple variables—including country, product categories, end-user industries, and specific applications—enabling precise market analysis tailored to individual business needs. Users can seamlessly generate custom reports, export data as CSV files or excel workbooks, prepare pivot tables and visual presentations, and access both quantitative metrics and qualitative insights covering competitive analysis, market drivers, and distribution channels. The platform's scalability ensures it can adapt to different organizational requirements and budgets by offering different licenses and subscription levels while maintaining depth and reliability in quarterly updates.

Revision Date: December 2025
Datapoints: 130 Million+
Parametric Breakdowns: Year, Country, End-User Industry, Material Type, Grade, Form Factor, Applications, Distribution Channels, Competitive Environment and more...
Companies Researched: 150+
Years Covered: 2004-2024 Actual, 2025 Estimate, 2026-2040 Forecasts
Delivery Method: Online Dashboards with Downloadable CSV Options Depending on License/Package

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On-Demand Datasets

Dedalus Consulting's Data on Demand service provides fast, targeted market intelligence for organizations that need reliable data quickly and cost-effectively. This streamlined offering delivers pre-defined datasets focused on specific markets, geographies, or product categories, enabling rapid access to the essential intelligence required for time-sensitive business decisions without the investment required for comprehensive reports or full database subscriptions. Whether you're preparing a quick competitive brief, validating a market opportunity, supporting an internal presentation, or conducting preliminary due diligence, Data on Demand delivers the specific market metrics and insights you need. This flexible solution bridges the gap between broad industry overviews and exhaustive research projects, providing the strategic sweet spot for professionals who require trustworthy, independently verified market data on accelerated timelines.

Revision Date: December 2025
Datasets: 200+
Formats: XLS, CSV
Breakdowns: Year, Country, End-User Industry, Material Type, Grade, Form Factor, Applications and more...
Years Covered: 2024 Actual, 2025 Estimate, 2026-2030 Forecasts

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Sometimes, off-the-shelf published research is not enough. We understand that. Much of our client work is based on single-client, proprietary consulting projects. Please, take a moment and let us know your specific research objective. We would be happy to develop a project proposal and submit it to you.

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Market Snapshots: The Essentials

Dedalus Consulting's Market Essentials reports provide the fundamental intelligence that serves as the foundation for sound strategic planning at an accessible entry-level price point. Designed for organizations seeking core market understanding without the investment required for comprehensive multi-volume analysis, Market Essentials delivers the critical data and insights necessary to grasp industry fundamentals, competitive dynamics, and key market drivers. Each report distills decades of specialized expertise into focused analysis covering essential market sizing, major player identification, primary end-user segments, and significant trend trajectories—the cornerstones upon which effective business strategies are built. This streamlined approach makes professional-grade market intelligence accessible to smaller organizations, individual business units, or teams conducting preliminary market assessment before committing to deeper research investments.

Revision Date: December 2025
Pages: 25
Tables/Charts/Graphs: 50+
Years Covered: 2024 Actual, 2025 Estimate, 2026-2040 Forecasts
Parametric Breakdowns: Year, Country, End-User Industry, Material Type, Grade, Form Factor, Applications and more...
Companies Researched: 150+
Delivery Method: PDF, Printable – Five (5) User License

Proprietary Consulting Services: You Define the Project

Dedalus Consulting's Single-Client Consulting Services provide customized market intelligence tailored to the strategic challenges that standard research cannot address. With over 25 years of proven expertise serving manufacturers, end-users, financial institutions, and academic organizations in the hard and superhard materials sector, we deliver the targeted competitive analysis essential for market expansion strategies, new product launches, regional market entry decisions, and merger and acquisition due diligence. Our consulting methodology distinguishes itself through primary research interviews with industry participants across the value chain—from manufacturers and distributors to end-users—combined with proprietary data accumulated through decades of continuous market tracking in wear-resistant materials. This approach leverages deep industry relationships built over a quarter-century to surface operational insights and competitive intelligence that secondary research sources simply cannot provide. When standard market reports fall short of addressing your specific strategic requirements, Dedalus Consulting's Single-Client services deliver the precision intelligence that drives confident, informed business decisions in rapidly evolving technology markets.

Key Capabilities:

  • Market Entry & Expansion Analysis — Comprehensive assessment of regional opportunities, competitive landscapes, distribution channel requirements, and go-to-market strategies tailored to specific geographic or segment expansion objectives
  • Merger & Acquisition Due Diligence — In-depth target company evaluation including market position validation, competitive threat assessment, customer relationship analysis, and strategic fit evaluation backed by primary research and proprietary market data
  • New Product Launch Intelligence — Market readiness assessment, competitive response forecasting, pricing strategy development, and distribution channel optimization to maximize launch success and accelerate market penetration
  • Competitive Benchmarking & Strategic Positioning — Detailed analysis of competitor capabilities, market share dynamics, differentiation strategies, and vulnerabilities to identify sustainable competitive advantages and strategic opportunities
  • Supply Chain & Sourcing Strategy — Comprehensive supplier landscape mapping, alternative sourcing identification, supply chain risk assessment, and strategic procurement intelligence leveraging deep industry relationships and market knowledge
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Sometimes, off-the-shelf published research is not enough. We understand that. Much of our client work is based on single-client, proprietary consulting projects. Please, take a moment and let us know your specific research objective. We would be happy to develop a project proposal and submit it to you.

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Competitive Intelligence Profiles

Dedalus Consulting's Competitive Profiles deliver comprehensive intelligence on key industry players in the hard and superhard materials market, providing the detailed competitive analysis essential for strategic positioning, M&A due diligence, and market entry decisions. Each profile offers an in-depth examination of a company's competitive standing within the wear-resistant materials industry, combining quantitative performance metrics with qualitative strategic assessment to reveal competitive strengths, vulnerabilities, and market trajectories. Our analyses include detailed breakdowns of sales performance and market share by product type, geographic region, and end-user segment, alongside examination of distribution channel strategies, manufacturing capabilities, technology portfolios, and go-to-market approaches. Key performance indicators cover revenue trends, profitability metrics, capacity utilization, R&D investment patterns, and product mix evolution, while competitive positioning analysis evaluates differentiation strategies, pricing power, customer relationships, and supply chain advantages.

Key Intelligence Components:

  • Sales Performance & Market Share Analysis — Detailed revenue breakdowns by product line, geographic region, end-user segment, and distribution channel, with historical trends and market share positioning across specific industrial segments
  • Strategic Positioning Assessment — Comprehensive evaluation of competitive differentiation strategies, pricing power, technology portfolios, manufacturing capabilities, and go-to-market approaches that define each company's competitive advantage
  • Distribution & Channel Strategy Analysis — In-depth examination of sales channel mix, distributor relationships, direct sales capabilities, customer service infrastructure, and route-to-market effectiveness across geographic markets
  • Financial & Operational Metrics — Key performance indicators including revenue trends, profitability analysis, capacity utilization, R&D investment patterns, product mix evolution, and operational efficiency benchmarks validated through primary research
  • Competitive Strengths & Vulnerabilities — Strategic intelligence on management capabilities, innovation pipelines, customer relationships, supply chain advantages, technology gaps, and market positioning weaknesses that impact long-term competitive sustainability
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