As 2205 duplex stainless steel pipelines operate reliably on deep-sea oil and gas platforms in the South China Sea, and 3GPa ultra-high-strength 2101 wire rod achieves mass production, this specialised steel—combining the dual advantages of austenitic and ferritic properties—is evolving from an industrial supporting role into a strategic material. Driven by both energy transition and high-end manufacturing, duplex stainless steel has entered a ‘golden age’ characterised by surging demand and reshaping market dynamics, quietly transforming the global industrial landscape.Upgraded demand serves as the core engine of this golden era, with multiple sectors converging to drive growth. The petrochemical industry remains the primary market, accounting for 39.2% of China's dual-phase stainless steel consumption in 2024. Grade 316L struggles to withstand the harsh conditions of strong acids and high pressures, making grades such as 2205 and 2507 the preferred choice for reactors and pipelines. The rise of marine engineering and new energy sources injects fresh momentum: offshore wind turbine flanges utilise duplex stainless steel to withstand salt spray corrosion, LNG terminal pipelines rely on its cryogenic toughness, while hydrogen storage and transport equipment—driven by hydrogen embrittlement resistance requirements—is rapidly increasing the penetration of super duplex grades. This trend is projected to propel the market size beyond RMB 20.26 billion by 2025. Simultaneously, substitution demand from sectors such as energy and power, environmental protection, and water utilities is being released, forming a growth pattern driven by the entire industrial chain.Technological breakthroughs underpin this ‘golden age’ with robust confidence, driving dual-track upgrades in performance and manufacturing processes. Material properties continue advancing: Grade 2101 duplex stainless steel achieves a heterogenous structure through ‘cold drawing + annealing’ processing, delivering ultra-high strength exceeding 3GPa—a 15% improvement over conventional grades—while simultaneously maintaining a toughness combination of 1.43GPa strength and 17% elongation. Welding challenges have been overcome: an Iranian research team's switch-back welding strategy elevated the tensile strength of ER2209 grade to 816MPa while increasing impact energy by 44%, resolving mechanical anisotropy issues in additive manufacturing. Domestic enterprises have achieved industrial breakthroughs: TISCO's UNS S32707 super duplex steel is now supplied in bulk to deep-sea platforms, while Baowu's intelligent production line products have entered international high-end supply chains.Undercurrents are stirring in the global industrial landscape, with Chinese strength reshaping the competitive map. While traditional markets remain dominated by Sweden's SSAB and Germany's ThyssenKrupp in premium segments, Chinese enterprises have achieved a strategic leapfrog: China's crude duplex stainless steel output reached 683,000 tonnes in 2024, with TISCO leading at 36.6% market share, followed closely by Baowu and Qingshan, collectively controlling over 60% of capacity. The import-export landscape demonstrates remarkable resilience. Exports surged by 11.6% year-on-year to 124,000 tonnes in 2024, while imports declined by 4.3%. High-value-added tubular products and forgings emerged as key export drivers, signalling that domestic substitution has entered a critical phase. Emerging markets such as Southeast Asia and the Middle East have become focal points of competition, where Chinese enterprises are gradually dismantling traditional barriers erected by European and American firms through cost advantages and production scale.Yet underlying concerns beneath this ‘golden age’ warrant attention, as industrial upgrading must still overcome three key hurdles. Raw material price volatility directly impacts profitability, with reliance on imported alloy elements like nickel and molybdenum remaining a persistent risk. Gaps persist in high-end markets, particularly in purity control for super duplex stainless steel, where improvements are needed to match international benchmarks. Intensifying international trade barriers, such as EU anti-dumping investigations, may constrain export growth.Looking ahead, the golden age of duplex stainless steel will be characterised by technological sophistication, diversified applications, and a more balanced global landscape. As arc additive manufacturing techniques become widespread and nano-precipitation strengthening matures, performance boundaries will continue to expand. New applications such as battery casings for new energy vehicles and photovoltaic hydrogen production equipment will unlock growth potential. Concurrently, Chinese enterprises expanding capacity can secure a dominant position in the global supply chain by accelerating core technological breakthroughs and brand development. Amidst this wave of material revolution and structural realignment, only technological innovation and strategic foresight can truly seize the opportunities presented by this golden age.