The global pneumatic actuator market is anticipated to reach a value of USD 16.64 billion in 2023. From 2023 to 2033, a slow but steady CAGR of 4.8% is likely to accelerate the market. This should result in a market valuation of USD 26.51 billion in 2033.
Pneumatic actuators, also known as pneumatic cylinders and air actuators, are engineering devices that convert energy into mechanical motion. Typically, they are used for converting compressed air. They consist of several components that include pistons, cylinders, and ports or valves. These components can work simultaneously to derive rotary or linear mechanical motions.
On one hand, rotary actuators, as their name suggests, can derive rotary mechanical motions. Rotary actuators are compatible with angle seat control valves that have been designed for steam and high temperature applications. Linear actuators, on the other hand, are used specifically to derive linear mechanical motions. They are compatible with quarter-turn valves based on application specifications.
Rack and pinion pneumatic actuators are among the most popular types of rotary actuators. These actuators feature pistons, which are attached to rack gears. Through the application of pneumatic pressure, the driveshaft and pinion gear can be linearly rotated.
Scotch yoke pneumatic actuators are also witnessing increasing sales. These actuators feature bars, which slide back and forth to create linear motions. The actuators convert these linear motions into rotational motions.
A pneumatic actuator works by creating controlled kinetic movements of gears or pistons. This is the result of compressed air or pressurized gas entering a chamber and building up pressure. When the pressure levels inside the chamber exceed the atmospheric pressure levels outside it, the controlled kinetic movements are created.
Common applications of pneumatic actuators include air compressors, combustible automobile engines, aviation, production and packaging machinery, and railways.
Electric actuators are also available as alternatives to pneumatic actuators. However, in recent years, pneumatic actuators have become more popular among buyers for the advantages they offer over their electric and hydraulic counterparts.
For starters, pneumatic actuators do not need electricity or ignition. In applications where tolerance to combustion and parking is low, using electric actuators can be risky due to the high potential of fire hazards.
Pneumatic actuators also offer more than electric and hydraulic actuators in terms of durability. Maintenance costs are negligible, which facilitates high output along with a long product lifecycle.
| Attribute | Key Insights |
|---|---|
| Estimated Pneumatic Actuator Market Value (2023) | USD 16.64 billion |
| Projected Market Value (2033) | USD 26.51 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 4.8% |
| Top Players Share in 2022 | 60% to 65% |
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Between 2018 and 2022, Future Market Insights (FMI) observed a sluggish CAGR of 3.1% that slowly expanded the global market for pneumatic actuators. The market was accounted for a valuation of USD 12.98 billion in 2018. In 2022, its value increased to USD 15.95 billion.
Sales of pneumatic actuators have increased steadily over the previous decade, driven by rising demand for rack & pinion and scotch yoke actuators. A temporary decline in pneumatic actuator demand and sales was observed across 2020 and 2021 as nearly all industries that use the devices were impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Barring this decline, the increase in sales was boosted by advancements in the manufacturing industry. Emergence of key applications across sectors such as mining and transportation also contributed to market acceleration.
The market for pneumatic actuators is expected to expand again as the significant application sectors are gaining momentum and recovering from the pandemic's effects, providing adequate opportunities for prominent players. According to FMI, the market for pneumatic actuators is likely to accelerate at a slow but steady 4.8% CAGR from 2023 to 2033.
Complicated Product Lifecycles and High Production Costs to Provide Stiff Challenges to Manufacturers
Manufacturers of pneumatic actuators usually encounter challenges as a result of the high production costs and complicated lifecycle required during the development phases. Additionally, small to medium end-use sectors cannot afford the operations and maintenance costs of various pneumatic actuators such as rack and pinion and scotch yokes.
Manufacturers are currently facing competition from 3D printing as it eliminates the need for linear pneumatic actuators. Numerous specialists in the business are replacing linear pneumatic actuators with 3D technology due to their higher usefulness and efficiency.
| Country | The United States |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2023) | 14.4% |
| Market Share (2033) | 14.4% |
| BPS Analysis | 10 |
| Country | China |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2023) | 12.0% |
| Market Share (2033) | 13.1% |
| BPS Analysis | 110 |
| Country | India |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2023) | 3.7% |
| Market Share (2033) | 3.7% |
| BPS Analysis | 0 |
| Country | Germany |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2023) | 20.6% |
| Market Share (2033) | 17.6% |
| BPS Analysis | -300 |
| Country | The United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Market Share (2023) | 9.4% |
| Market Share (2033) | 9.0% |
| BPS Analysis | -40 |
Germany’s Top Notch Transportation Sector to Spur Pneumatic Actuator Demand
Germany is expected to keep holding the top spot in the Europe market for pneumatic actuators from 2023 to 2033. The country’s highly developed transportation industry and rising demand for light-duty pneumatic actuators are driving sales of pneumatic actuators in Germany.
The European Commission (EC) sanctioned the expenditure of over USD 330 million to help Germany's transportation industry in 2020. The EC also approved a German public transportation scheme that is likely to amount to more than USD 6 billion in 2020. These recent developments are indicative of a bright future for players in Germany market for pneumatic actuators.
Excellence of the United States Industrial Automation Sector to Provide Lucrative Opportunities to Pneumatic Actuator Manufacturers
The North American market for pneumatic actuators has been dominated by the United States for the last ten years, and this trend is anticipated to continue. Pneumatic actuator sales are increasing in the United States owing to the countries highly developed transportation and industrial automation sectors.
Industrial automation equipment is the collective name for the parts and hardware used to automate systems in manufacturing or industrial settings. According to an International Trade Administration's report, most of the world's industrial automation equipment manufacturers are based in the United States. The study also revealed the export value of equipment from the American industrial automation sector to be around USD10.5 billion in 2015. Manufacturers of pneumatic actuators are likely to focus their efforts on the United States because it is projected that these numbers would increase between 2023 and 2033.
Sales of Rack and Pinion Pneumatic Actuators to Surge and Dominate the Market
The rack and pinion segment now dominates the pneumatic actuator market globally in terms of product type, and it is anticipated that this dominance will continue. The transportation sector favours this particular type of pneumatic actuator because it transforms the rotating motion of the steering wheel into the linear motion necessary to turn the wheels.
Rack and pinion pneumatic actuators also provide gear reduction, which makes it easier to turn the wheels, and it is predicted that this segment will hold around 41.2% of the market in 2023.The Scotch yoke segment is also expected to gain momentum in the coming years and increase the valuation of the global market for pneumatic actuators.
Compact Design and Low Cost of Light-Duty Pneumatic Actuators to Fuel Adoption and Drive Market
The category that currently holds the lead in terms of capacity type is light-duty pneumatic actuators, and it is anticipated that this segment will dominate the market between 2023 and 2033. This particular type of pneumatic actuator is frequently employed in a variety of sectors due to its low cost and compact design.
This capacity type is also the most in-demand globally as it is convenient to maintain and operates more smoothly compared to other variants. Another crucial market area in terms of capacity is heavy-duty pneumatic actuators. Even though heavy-duty pneumatic actuators are not as popular as light-duty variants, they are anticipated to pick up the pace in terms of sales from 2023 to 2033.
Expansion of Transportation Industry to Fuel Sales of Pneumatic Actuators
Pneumatic actuators are widely used in the transportation industry, so it is anticipated that the sector's recovery would further drive up the demand-supply graph for these devices. They are also more affordable than hydraulic actuators. The price of these devices is anticipated to decrease in the coming years due to the maturity of pneumatic actuator technology.
Organizations now prefer actuators over manual gears because of their greater efficiency, dependability, and speed. As a result, it is estimated that the global market for pneumatic actuators would expand exponentially between 2023 and 2033. As a result, the transportation industry offers to enhance the sales potential of pneumatic actuators which is set to drive the market for pneumatic actuators globally.
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Leading pneumatic actuator companies experienced significant losses and a drop in market share during the COVID-19 period. From 2023 to 2033, the leading industry participants are set to prioritize increasing their market shares by developing innovative pneumatic actuator products. Mergers and acquisitions also look likely as players compete to gain an upper hand over their competitors across regional and global markets.
For instance:
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Estimated Market Size (2023) | USD 16.64 billion |
| Projected Market Size (2033) | USD 26.51 billion |
| Anticipated Growth Rate (2023 to 2033) | 4.8% |
| Forecast Period | 2023 to 2033 |
| Historical Data Available for | 2018 to 2022 |
| Market Analysis | USD million for Value |
| Key Regions Covered | North America; Latin America; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; Central Asia; Russia & Belarus; Balkan & Baltic Countries; East Asia; South Asia and Pacific; and Middle East and Africa |
| Key Countries Covered | The United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, China, Japan, India, GCC Countries, and Australia |
| Key Segments Covered | Product Type, Capacity, Operation, Application, and Region |
| Key Companies Profiled | SMC Corporation; ABB Ltd.; Elfor Controls Srl.; Habonim Industrial Valves & Actuators Ltd.; Johnson Controls Inc.; Parker Hannifin Corp; Metal Works SPA; IMI Precision- Norgren; Camozzi SPA; Bosch Rexroth AG; Flowserve Corporation; Omal S.P.A; Air Torque S.P.A; Emerson Electric Co. Ltd.; Actreg S.A.; Bray International Inc.; Enoglass Bonomi S.P.A.; Metalurgica Varb; Festo AG & Co. KG; Rotark Plc. |
| Report Coverage | Market Forecast, Company Share Analysis, Competition Intelligence, Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis, Market Dynamics and Challenges, and Strategic Growth Initiatives |
This market is valued at USD 16.64 billion in 2023.
Increasing adoption of automation in the automotive industry fuels demand.
The rack and pinion segment dominates the pneumatic actuator market globally.
Germany’s advanced transport sector and demand for the market boosts sales.
The market is estimated to reach USD 26.51 billion by 2033.
| Estimated Market Value (2024E) | USD 15.1 billion |
|---|---|
| Projected Market Size (2034F) | USD 28.7 billion |
| Value-based CAGR (2024 to 2034) | 6.9% |
| Market Value (2022) | USD 2,134.3 Million |
|---|---|
| Market Anticipated Value (2032) | USD 3,630.0 Million |
| Projected CAGR (2022 to 2032) | 5.5% |
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