In 2019, the linear accelerator market was valued at approximately US$ 3.79 billion and is anticipated to grow to around US$ 6.80 billion by 2027, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2020 to 2027.
The primary drivers of this market expansion include the increasing demand for cancer treatment options and the integration of linear accelerators in security applications. Additionally, the anticipated growth of the food processing sector is expected to further propel the linear accelerator market in the upcoming years. Nonetheless, the slow adoption of radiotherapy linear accelerators in low- and middle-income nations poses a challenge to the market's growth, particularly in sacral applications. Linear accelerators are crucial in contemporary healthcare, as medical linear accelerators utilize high-energy x-rays to target and eliminate cancer cells and tumors while sparing surrounding healthy tissues. These innovative devices, known as LINACs, have transformed cancer treatment due to their cost-effectiveness. Furthermore, there has been a significant shift in the healthcare sector towards noninvasive cancer treatment methods. Noninvasive treatments, which include radiation therapy, are recognized as advanced and economical options that can address a wide variety of cancer types, either as standalone treatments or in conjunction with chemotherapy, surgery, and other modalities. This shift in treatment preferences has contributed to the growing acceptance of medical linear accelerators.
The linear accelerator market is categorized based on energy range, application, industry, and geographical location. In terms of energy range, the market is divided into segments: Less than 4 MeV, 4 MeV to 8 MeV, 8 MeV to 12 MeV, and More than 12 MeV. The segment of 8 MeV to 12 MeV held the largest market share in 2019. When considering applications, the market is segmented into industrial radiography, cargo screening, radiation processing, and others, with the cargo screening segment projected to experience the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The industry segmentation includes automotive, aerospace and defense, medical, food and beverages, metals and mining, among others, with the medical sector accounting for a significant portion of the market in 2019. Geographically, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM). North America dominated the market in 2019 and is expected to maintain its leading position from 2020 to 2027.
The overall size of the linear accelerator market has been determined through a combination of primary and secondary research methods. The research process commenced with extensive secondary research utilizing both internal and external sources to gather qualitative and quantitative data relevant to the market. This approach also aimed to provide an overview and forecast of the linear accelerator market across all segments. Furthermore, it offers insights and projections for the global linear accelerator market based on the various segments across five key regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, and South America. Additionally, primary interviews were conducted with industry stakeholders and experts to validate the data and gain deeper analytical insights. Participants in these interviews typically included industry professionals such as vice presidents, business development managers, market intelligence managers, and national sales managers, as well as external consultants like valuation experts, research analysts, and key opinion leaders specializing in the linear accelerator market.
Several prominent companies operating within the global linear accelerator market include Altair Technologies, Inc.; BEVATECH GmbH; CGN Dasheng; Elekta AB; IBA; diondo GmbH; Iotron Industries; Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Machinery Systems, LTD.; Varex Imaging Corporation; and Varian Medical Systems, Inc.