The scale of the global diabetes crisis is expanding. In line with this trend, the global demand for insulin needles continues to escalate. Furthermore, insulin delivery is evolving toward "painless" experiences that reduce patient burden. Modern designs prioritize minimizing pain and bruising, leading to the widespread adoption of ultra-fine needles. This trend is further supported by the growing popularity of compact, portable pen injectors. Additionally, the global rise in weight-management medications—which also utilize these ultra-fine needles—is further accelerating market expansion. We supply NK-304NKM, a specialized stainless steel for thin-walled welded tubes used in medical and cosmetic applications, most notably for "painless needles". This material offers a superior combination of stable weldability and excellent drawability. Our quality advantage is highly recognized and valued throughout the global market.

Nippon Kinzoku Begins Ultra-Thin Stainless Steel Production For Insulin Needles

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Nippon Kinzoku Co Ltd, a Tokyo-based stainless steel manufacturer, has begun mass production of ultra-thin, narrow-width stainless steel optimised for laser welding in ultra-fine insulin needles, responding to growing global demand.

In a statement, the company said it has established a stable supply system following trials with leading manufacturers, leveraging its technical expertise to meet the quality and stability requirements of laser welding.

The insulin needle industry is increasingly shifting from traditional TIG or plasma welding to laser welding, which enables higher welding speeds and allows manufacturers to use base materials more than 50 per cent thinner at the initial stage, such as 0.08 millimetres (mm) compared with 0.2 mm previously.

The shift towards less painful injection experiences has also increased adoption of ultra-fine needles, including 30G, 31G and 32G designs, particularly for compact pen injectors.

Nippon Kinzoku said its NK-304NKM stainless steel, used in thin-walled welded tubes for medical and cosmetic applications, offers stable weldability and excellent drawability. The company has an approximately 57 per cent market share in Japan and 55 per cent in key overseas regions, based on its research conducted in March 2026.

The materials feature controlled shear surface ratios to minimise welding defects, consistent weldability across coil lengths of up to 4,000 metres, high-precision thickness and width tolerances, and strong ductility and weld-zone integrity.

-- BERNAMA