Abrasive Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth 2032

Abrasive Industry Prospective:

The global abrasive market size was worth around USD 36.94 billion in 2023 and is predicted to grow to around USD 57.31 billion by 2032 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of roughly 5.00% between 2024 and 2032.

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Abrasive Market: Overview

An abrasive is a material that has a certain degree of density and hardness. These properties allow it to be used for processing other materials by removing the material from the surface in a controlled manner. One of the most common applications of abrasives is polishing a surface. However, abrasives have other applications as well. The classification of an abrasive depends on the material, grain size, and hardness of the material with each product offering specific advantages and subsequent applications. Abrasives can be naturally occurring or synthetically made. The main distinguishing factor of an abrasive is the hardness degree which is measured in special units such as Mohs, Knopp, and others.

Diamond is considered the hardest abrasive material on the planet. Some other common abrasive materials either synthetically-made or naturally-occurring are corundum, silicon carbide, and zirconium. Although they do not offer the same abrasion quality diamond, they are close to diamonds in terms of performance. The main application of abrasives is found in industrial uses with specific demand in the automotive and metallurgical processes. Carpenters and wood processors are other leading users of the abrasive material.

Key Insights:

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the global abrasive market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 5.00% over the forecast period (2024-2032)
• In terms of revenue, the global abrasive market size was valued at around USD 36.94 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 57.31 billion, by 2032.
• The market is projected to grow at a significant rate due to the rising application in the aviation and space exploration industries
• Based on application segmentation, automotive & transport was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2023
• Based on product segmentation, bonded was the leading segment in 2023
• On the basis of region, Asia-Pacific was the leading revenue generator in 2023

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Abrasive Market: Growth Drivers

Rising applications in the aviation and space exploration industries may drive market demand

The global abrasive market is expected to witness high growth due to the growing application of abrasives in the automotive and space exploration industries. Abrasives are widely used for metal fabrication work required in these sectors. Additionally, since the aviation sector is highly sensitive to any form of below-standard work, the demand for good-quality abrasives is higher in the industry. Some of the common applications of abrasives in the aviation sector are the construction of new surfaces, deburring or edge and rough surfaces, repairing and maintaining already existing surfaces, and machining of composite material. The modern aviation industry is highly inclined toward composite materials since they offer superior performance as compared to standalone materials. Composite materials have higher strength and weight-bearing capacity. They are also lightweight thus making them ideal for modern aircrafts and space shuttles. The last decade has witnessed massive invention in space exploration.

Earlier, only limited players were operating in the space discovery segment. However, at present times, apart from government-backed space exploration centers, multiple private companies have also entered the sector thus providing a commercialized viewpoint to the growing sector. In January 2024, Cirrus Aircraft announced the launch of the latest generation of the SR Series G7 aircraft. It is a single-engine piston and high-performance aircraft with advanced safety systems and touchscreen interfaces. In March 2024, India’s private spacecraft company Skyroot Aerospace announced that it had completed the test-firing of the stage-2 of Vikram-1 space launch vehicle. The commercial aviation industry is also expected to generate a high demand for abrasives as there is an increased demand for flights for transporting people and goods.

Abrasive Market: Restraints

Health hazards associated with abrasives and the high cost of manufacturing may restrict the market growth rate

The global abrasive market is expected to be restricted due to the health hazards that are associated with the production and use of abrasives. As per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, abrasive blasting operations are often associated with high-level creation of noise and dust. The surface is blasted and the abrasive material may contain some level of toxic substance such as silica and lead paint. The former is known to cause lung cancer and silicosis.

Furthermore, exposed patients may also suffer from problems with breathing. Abrasive wheels are considered dangerous since they can become the cause of severe physical harm to the workers. Some cases involve incidents related to amputations and cuts. Additionally, the cost of abrasive production is high which further limits the market expansion rate.

Abrasive Market: Opportunities

Growing demand in the automotive sector will generate high-growth opportunities

The global abrasive market is expected to generate high growth opportunities due to the rising applications of different types of abrasive material in the automotive sector. The rising popularity of electric vehicles has given the automotive industry new momentum. Electric vehicles (EVs) were considered unviable a few decades ago. However, as of 2024, EVs have become a reality with being accepted widely among the consumer groups. With the increasing development and manufacturing or affordable variations along with the growing purchasing power of the buyers, the automotive sector is flourishing at a rapid rate.

In January 2024, Tesla, a pioneer in the EV sector, announced that it would start the production of the next-generation electric vehicle at its factory based in Texas by the second half of 2025. Automotive vehicles are made of several individual parts that are brought together to form a whole unit. Abrasives are used to polish these parts and to provide them with a uniform structure to be used in vehicle production. The market size will expand due to the ongoing efforts by the regional governments to promote EV production and consumption with a view to reducing the dependence on non-renewable fuel.

Construction segment to deliver higher revenues during the projection period

The global abrasive industry will gain more fame due to the growing use of the material in the construction industry. The main applications of abrasive in the construction unit include polishing, grinding, sharpening, buffing, lapping, drilling, and sharpening. The rising investments in smart city projects and infrastructure development will be beneficial for the market growth rate. During the forecast period, the global construction industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 6.1%.

Abrasive Market: Challenges

Correctly matching the surface material to the abrasive material can be challenging

The global abrasive market faces challenges in terms of matching the surface of the material and the abrasive material correctly. In case both materials do not work in coherence, there is a risk of cross-contamination. Furthermore, reaching difficult spots for abrasion can be difficult thus requiring a specific set of instruments for achieving the desired result.

Abrasive Market: Segmentation

The global abrasive market is segmented based on application, product, and region.

Based on application, the global market segments are electrical & electronics equipment, metal fabrication, automotive & transport, heavy machinery, and others. In 2023, the automotive & transport segment was the highest contributor. It held control over 35.01% of the total market share. The automotive industry has several abrasive material applications. The surface finish is mostly enhanced with the use of diamond abrasives since it is used for polishing and grinding automotive parts. The growth in the EV and hybrid vehicle sector is expected to propel the segmental demand during the projection period.

Based on product, the global market is divided into bonded, coated, and others. In 2023, the bonded abrasive material accounted for 43.05%of the total share. The segment includes products such as snagging wheels and mounted wheels. These materials have operational capability and high efficiency. The fastest CAGR can be expected in the coated segment during the projection period. These materials have applications in furnishing, sanitary ware, and white goods.

Abrasive Market: Report Scope

Abrasive Market: Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific to witness the highest growth rate during the forecast period

The global abrasive market is expected to witness the highest growth in Asia-Pacific. The region is expected to account for more than 50.01% of the total revenue with the automotive and the construction industries leading the regional revenue. The emerging nations of India and China are investing heavily in infrastructure development projects. As per market research, the largest share of investments in India is witnessed in the roads and highways segment.

By 2025, the Indian government plans to develop a 2 lakh-km national highway network as per official reports. India is also investing in international markets such as Africa and other neighboring countries. China, on the other hand, has already established an international presence by participating in several projects that will be held on an international scale. The regional automotive sector is also thriving with China taking over the global manufacturing scale. It is the largest EV producer in the world with several new expansion initiatives recorded in other parts of the world including European nations. Europe is projected to generate significant revenue during the projection period. The rising investments in infrastructure repair initiatives and the vehicle manufacturing sectors are helping the region prosper.

Abrasive Market: Competitive Analysis

The global abrasive market is led by players like:

• Saint-Gobain Abrasives
• Tyrolit Group
• 3M Company
• Walter Surface Technologies
• Robert Bosch GmbH
• Asahi Diamond Industrial Co. Ltd.
• Fujimi Corporation
• sia Abrasives Industries AG
• Klingspor AG
• Carborundum Universal Limited
• Mirka Ltd.
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• PFERD Inc.

The global abrasive market is segmented as follows:

By Application

• Electrical & Electronics Equipment
• Metal Fabrication
• Automotive & Transport
• Heavy Machinery

 By Product

• Bonded
• Coated

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • France 
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa