Ultrasonic NDT Equipment Market - Size, Industry Share, Growth Trends and Forecasts (2023 - 2030)

By Component :

Based on the component, the market is bifurcated into hardware and software. The hardware segment is accounted for the largest revenue share in the year 2022. Hardware ultrasonic NDT equipment mainly include ultrasonic pulser and receiver. Ultrasonic detectors are designed for efficient handling and are gradually decreasing in size thus providing efficient handling ability to the user. Moreover, handheld devices are available in small and portable size thus providing greater affordability and accessibility to the operator, which tends to be driving the hardware segment.

For instance, Waygate Technologies has launched Krautkrämer RotoArray compact, a manual operating based portable roller probe, employes manual phased array (PA) ultrasonic inspection technique for inspection of large-scale composite materials.

Moreover, software segment is also anticipated to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. Software is considered as key operating part of the instrument. Software installed in the ultrasonic NDT equipment is programmed to interpret the returning wave from specimen to generate image or wave signals in the oscilloscope. Therefore, based on the analysis, software reduces the effort to manually interpret the obtained data and allows the operator to easily understand the obtained data in a more efficient manner. For instance, Zetec, Inc. is offering software to end users by means of offering varied software, namely ULTRAVISION3 and ULTRAVISION TOUCH. Thus, the aforementioned factors are propelling the ultrasonic NDT equipment market trends.

By Mode of Operation :

Based on the mode of operation, the market is segmented into manual and automatic. Manual segment is accounted to generate largest market share in the year 2022. Manual mode of operation is important for the area where high precision and accuracy is required. Moreover, manual mode of operation is considered effective in detection of material integrity, volumetric flaws and component thickness. Aforementioned type of testing is preferred on forging, castings, welded components, and composite structure across various industries. The key attributable factors that drive the expansion of the segment include its application in flaw detection such as porosity, cracks, determining the thickness of test objects, among others. Moreover, the rising requirement for proficient testing methods for critical infrastructures is compelling the requirement for manual ultrasonic NDT equipment.

Furthermore, automatic segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest expansion rate during the forecast period. Owing to increasing requirement for automation involved with application of advanced software and robotics is promoting the expansion of automatic segment. Moreover, with rising complex nature of testing and requirement of non-destructive testing leveled at larger volume is expected to generate opportunities and trends for the segment during the forecast period.

By Technology :

Based on the mode of operation, the market is segregated into phased array ultrasonic, time of flight diffraction technique, automated ultrasonic backscatter technique, conventional ultrasonic, rapid ultrasonic gridding (RUG), dry-coupled ultrasonic testing, others. Phased array ultrasonic segment is accounted to generate largest market share in the year 2022. Factors contributing towards the expansion of the segment include precise control over the ultrasonic beam thus allowing better defect detection and characterization. Technology is commonly employed for applications including corrosion mapping, weld detection, and other critical applications where accurate defect sizing is important.

Rapid Ultrasonic Gridding (RUG) segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. RUG inspection type is mainly performed by means of robot thus providing an enhanced image or thickness grid maps for better identification of area having wall thickness. In addition, based on the analysis, RUG is an updated technology, an alternative to hand-held gridding and traditional inspection methods. Furthermore, rise in requirement for inspection of large components is projected to drive the market ultrasonic NDT equipment market growth.

By End-Use :

Based on the end use, the market is segmented into automotive, oil & gas, aerospace & defense, power & energy, construction, chemical, infrastructure, and others. Aerospace & defense segment is accounted to generate largest ultrasonic NDT equipment market share of 25.40% in the year 2022. The key factors attributed to the expansion of the segment owing to increasing importance to manufacture defect free components of aircraft are driving the market. Moreover, the industry is constantly using ultrasonic NDT technology to identify the strength and wear and tear present in the airframe of aircrafts to avoid any accident is further promoting the ultrasonic NDT equipment market demand and trends.

For instance, Raytheon Technologies was accounted to have garnered highest revenue of USD 67.1 billion in the year 2022. Moreover, Airbus has delivered highest numbers of aircrafts that is 611 jets, in the year 2021. Furthermore, the rising requirement for aircrafts at commercial and military level is promoting the market.

Power & energy segment is anticipated to grow at the fastest growth rate during the forecast period. Owing to factors including rising requirement for renewable source of energy and installation of large number of infrastructures including solar, hydro, and wind energy is projected to drive the market. For instance, according to IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), the global generation of electricity from PV cells has reached to 179 TWh in 2021, accounting for China with the highest energy generation of 430 GW during the period. Moreover, according to Global Energy Monitor (GEM), China has ambition of generating 1,200 GW of solar capacity by the end of the year 2030 which will propel the want for solar panels in near future. Also, owing to the growing requirement of energy, the demand for testing equipment will also rise for maintenance purposes and will ultimately fuel the trend during the forecast period.

By Region :

The regional segment includes North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America.

North America is accounted for the largest revenue share of USD 329.03 Million in 2022 and is expected to reach USD 618.42 Million by 2030. In addition, in the region, the U.S. accounted for the maximum revenue share of 62.40% in the same year. As per the ultrasonic NDT equipment market analysis, the adoption of this equipment in North American region is primarily driven by factors including increased requirement for predictive maintenance and flourished oil and gas sector. According to EIA (Energy Information Agency), U.S. had total petroleum consumption of 20.28 million barrels per day in 2021. Moreover, U.S. held largest petroleum consumer ranking of 20.4% globally during same year. Thus, the aforementioned factors are propelling the trends in the coming years.

Moreover, Asia-Pacific is expected to register fastest CAGR growth of 8.8% during the forecast period. Factors attributable to the development of the region during the forecast period are due to faster rate of growth among sectors including energy, oil and gas, construction, among others. Moreover, with the motive of improving industrial infrastructure among Asian countries including India, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, among others will promote the development of the market. Furthermore, growth of renewable energy sector in Asia to empower need of energy for varied sectors will promote the trend of the market.