Industrial Radiography Market Size, Trends and Growth Analysis by 2027

The industrial radiography sector is projected to achieve a value of US$ 993.45 million by the year 2028, rising from US$ 532.31 million in 2021. This growth represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.4% from 2021 to 2028.

The market is categorized into four primary regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), and Middle East and Africa, along with South and Central America. In 2020, North America dominated the market share, largely due to its robust aerospace industry, which includes numerous military and commercial aircraft manufacturers, as well as maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) service providers. The growth of this sector in North America is fueled by a favorable attitude towards new technology adoption, a skilled workforce, supportive economic policies, and a high GDP per capita. These factors collectively contribute to the expansion of the industrial radiography market in this region.

Europe is also significant in this market, hosting some of the largest aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Dassault Aviation, Leonardo, and Thales Group. The presence of these major players facilitates the development of both military and civilian aircraft, which in turn drives the demand for industrial radiography services.

To safeguard national security, innovative active interrogation methods are essential for identifying threats at airports, borders, and ports. These detection methods require high-energy particle sources to induce specific reactions that serve as key indicators for identifying fissile materials or conventional explosives. The most immediate threats include conventional explosives, special nuclear materials, weapons of mass destruction, chemical agents, and contraband. Radiography technology plays a crucial role in scanning cargo to ensure that illicit items are not smuggled into the country. This technology allows users to differentiate between various materials effectively. Furthermore, governments are investing heavily in border security by implementing advanced technologies. For example, the Chinese government has plans to construct an additional 215 airports by 2035, while India aims to establish 100 new airports by 2024. The expansion and construction of airports are expected to significantly increase the demand for industrial radiography.

The industrial radiography market is divided based on technique, end-user industry, and geographical location. In terms of technique, the market is split into digital radiography and film-based radiography. By end-user industry, the segments include petrochemical and gas, power generation, manufacturing, aerospace, and automotive & transportation.

In recent years, the booming aviation industry has significantly increased the demand for aircraft maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services. The APAC region is particularly focused on enhancing MRO services for both commercial and military aircraft. Notable MRO companies in APAC include Guangzhou Aircraft Maintenance Engineering Co., Ltd. (GAMECO) in China, MTU Maintenance, and ExecuJet Haite Aviation Services China Co., Ltd.. Substantial investments in aviation infrastructure, economic growth, and a rising number of passengers are driving the demand for aircraft MRO services. Additionally, the growing middle-class population in APAC countries such as China, Singapore, and India is a key factor behind the surge in air travel, which in turn increases the need for MRO services in the region. Radiography techniques are among the most commonly employed methods for inspecting aircraft components, as they help minimize overall downtime and costs. MRO companies across various regions are rapidly adopting radiography systems to ensure efficient and time-saving maintenance procedures. With an increasing fleet of both wide-body and narrow-body aircraft, airlines in APAC are seeking reliable and versatile systems for aircraft inspection. This trend is expected to create lucrative opportunities for players in the industrial radiography market in the APAC region in the coming years.

Key players in the industrial radiography market include 3DX-RAY, Anritsu, Comet Group, Fujifilm Corporation, GENERAL ELECTRIC, METTLER TOLEDO, Nikon Corporation, NOVO DR LTD, SHIMADZU CORPORATION, and ZEISS International.