Soft Starter Market Analysis & Forecast: 2025-2032

Global Soft Starter Market Size and Forecast- 2025 to 2032

Soft Starter Market is estimated to be valued at USD 3,026.2 Mn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 5,264.2 Mn in 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.23% from 2025 to 2032.

Key Takeaways

• Based on end user, Mining and Metal segment will lead the market with 34% market share. This will be attributed by the growing utilization of soft starters in order to boost productivity as well as improve energy efficiency.
• Asia Pacific will hold 34% share of the global soft starters market. This is due to industrial development within emerging nations like China and India, along with the growth of industries including cement and power.

Market Overview:

The expansion of worldwide soft starter market is owed due to increase in adoption in industrial pumps, increase in demand for HVAC control systems, and increasing need for cost saving solutions with less space needs. Additionally, growing spending on R&D skills, with greater emphasis on energy conservation; and increased automation in different industries is also expected to drive growth of the market during the forecast period. Top market players in the global soft starter market are concentrating on innovation of new smart soft starter technology combined with electronic motor protection, IoT, and self-learning algorithms. These developments provide sophisticated protective functions and optimal motor control, which lead to improved operational control and system optimization.

Current Events and its Impact on Soft Starter Market

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Global Soft Starter Market Drivers:

• Increased need for industrial pumps to accelerate the market growth

Application of soft starters in various equipment like centrifuges, industrial pumps and conveyors enables the slow start and slow stop of systems. Application of these starters can avoid the mechanical shock, such as water hammer. Therefore, increased growth of industrial pumps is expected to propel the demand for soft starters. The use of industrial pumps is picking up with a number of different end-user industries that work with chemicals, water, wastewater, petroleum, food, slurry, sludge, or oil, thanks to their resistance against different noxious chemicals in addition to the hardness they show during use. The demand for the industrial pump also increases with increasing deliverable pressure in terms of time. Therefore, this in turn is anticipated to have a positive effect on the global soft starter market in the forecast period.

• Increased HVAC equipment demands to enhance the market tempo

Application of soft starter in HVAC equipment provides efficiency and life improvement since it cuts down the inrush current needed to start compressors by 60%. This in turn decreases possible damage to compressors from mechanical shock hard-starting current spikes. The market of HVAC equipment is expanding in emerging economies as a result of an increase in the applications in end user market including data centre, construction business, etc. The ever-growing growth of HVAC equipment market further tends to increase demand for soft starters, thereby slated to fuel growth of the overall global soft starter market during the forecast period.

Global Soft Starter Market Trends:

• Increasing demand for electrical energy is a recent market trend

The demand for electrical energy is increasing for maintaining the global development, and it requires continuous heavy investments to produce power supply, which is propelling the applications of motors in the electricity segment. This also contributes to the positive impact on the soft starters. As per the International Energy Agency (IEA), the world energy demand jumped by 2.2% during 2024, almost two times the average of 1.3% per year seen over the period from 2013 to 2023. The increase was mainly fueled by a 4.3% increase in global electricity consumption.

• Growing government policies and regulations to manage CO2 emissions is a trend on the rise

Growing number of governments and regulatory authorities are introducing suitable regulations and policies to manage CO2 emissions and to meet the increasing demand for electricity, particularly in developing economies. This in turn is fuelling the demand for soft starters to lower the overall cost including repair and maintenance cost, and thus improving the overall efficiency. Different industries are increasingly using soft starters, and this is likely to boost growth of the global soft starter market during the forecast period.

Global Soft Starter Market Opportunities

Increased interest in the enhancement of utility factors in the current products is anticipated to present different growth opportunities in the soft starter market globally for the forecast period. Increasing innovation in the soft starter market is aimed at increasing the utility factor of products and enhancement of the performance of these current products along with building capabilities, which will increase their applications in niche markets. With increased application of AC and DC motors, the industry remains shifting towards the energy and utility industry. Therefore, these factors are expected to generate market growth opportunities in the next few years.

Increase in adoption of industrial automation for its numerous benefits is expected to contribute different business opportunities in the worldwide soft starter market throughout the forecast period. Industrial automation provides numerous advantages like, the cost of direct human labour lowered, high-quality products delivered, productivity increased, and product or process consistency improved. This helps in generating market demand for the soft starters utilized in electric motors in different applications of industrial automation. Therefore, increasing industrial automation will generate plenty of opportunities for the global market of soft starters throughout the forecasting period. Siemens AG announced a EUR 2 billion investment strategy to bolster growth, innovation, and resilience in digitalization, automation, and sustainability sectors. This includes establishing modern innovation labs and expanding manufacturing capacities in Southeast Asia.

Restraints in the Global Soft Starter Market:

• Increased Penetration of Different Alternatives to Hinder the Market Pace

Different substitutes for soft starters, like variable frequency drives (VFD) are gradually entering the market. Soft starters are used for power reduction supplied during start-up, whereas variable frequency drives can also be employed as a substitute for soft starter for performance improvement, energy conservation, downtime reduction, and system simplification. Therefore, presence of such promising substitutes is likely to hamper growth of the global soft starter market over the forecast period.

• Minimal Control and Precision of Soft Starters to Slow Down the Growth of Markets

Soft starters are extensively adopted across different sectors, such as energy and utilities, water and wastewater treatment, automotive, and oil and gas, since they provide several benefits. The implementation of motor soft starters is generally a cost-saving measure. Such starters provide only minimal control regarding the speed of motors. In addition, soft starters are also restricted by limited accuracy, and these considerations will also affect their adoption, which is most likely to hinder growth of the global soft starter market over the forecast period. Nevertheless, with improving technological developments, the vendors are emphasizing the provision of soft starters with improved features, which is likely to support the growth of the market in the near term.

Segment Analysis

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Global Soft Starter Market Insights by End User, Mining and Metal Segment lead the market

On the basis of End User Industry, the market is divided into Mining and Metal, Food and Beverage, Energy and Power, Oil and Gas, and Other End user Industries. Among those, Mining and Metal is anticipated to lead the global market throughout the forecast period and this is due to the increasing use of soft starters in the industry for improving productivity, smooth operation, energy efficiency, and so on. Furthermore, industrial acquisitions within the industry are contributing to the increase in demand of the soft starter in the mining and metal market.

Food and Beverage sector is also projected to experience growth in the upcoming future and that is due to the numerous uses of soft starters in the industry among many others. Soft starters applied in processing stage of the industry meet rigorous and specific needs in the industry such as meat, poultry, and fish, baking products, and dairy. Therefore, application of soft starter in the food and beverage industry is anticipated to spur growth of the market in the near future.

Pricing Analysis

The soft starter market, which is a niche in the global motor control market, has been growing steadily as a result of rising industrial automation and the demand for energy-efficient solutions. A soft starter is an appliance employed to regulate the acceleration of electric motors, lessening wear and tear and enhancing overall performance. Pricing in this market is determined by several parameters like motor power rating, application type, geographic region, and product features (e.g., built-in protection, communication features, and user interfaces).

Market Pricing Trends:

Entry-Level Soft Starters: Prices for simple models usually lie between $100 and $500. They are applied on small to mid-range motors for applications such as HVAC systems, water treatment, and conveyor applications.

Mid-Range Soft Starters: These soft starters, offering advanced features like improved control algorithms and greater power ratings (up to 150kW), range from $500 to $2,500. They suit industries such as mining, oil and gas, and heavy machinery.

High-End Soft Starters: High-end soft starters for high-capacity applications, including heavy-duty industries like steel mills and big manufacturing facilities, can cost over $2,500 to $10,000 or more.

Regional Pricing Differences:

Soft starter prices are generally higher in mature markets such as North America and Europe because of the need for sophisticated features and regulatory compliance. Emerging economies such as Asia-Pacific have lower prices as a result of reduced labor costs and a greater number of simple applications. Generally, the market is competitive, and prices are likely to be fairly stable, with incremental rises as technology develops and energy-efficient solutions become more popular.

Role of AI on soft starters market

The market for soft starters is also in the process of being revolutionized by artificial intelligence (AI) as a result of requirements for industrial automation, predictive maintenance, and energy efficiency. The smart soft starter segment, which was worth USD 1.2 billion in 2022, is estimated to grow at a 6.5% CAGR up to 2028, with AI being a key enabler of maximizing motor performance and minimizing operating expenses. We discuss AI's influence in the three areas below.

AI-Predictive Maintenance in Industrial Automation

AI is transforming soft starter systems by allowing real-time tracking and predictive maintenance. For example, firms dealing in industrial automation are incorporating AI algorithms into soft starters to monitor motor performance data, including voltage fluctuations and mechanical stress. One of the top manufacturers in the oil and gas industry incorporated AI-driven soft starters to predict motor failures weeks earlier, minimizing unplanned downtime by 30%. This is proactive and reduces equipment wear and motor life, especially in stressful environments such as water treatment plants and mines.

Dynamic Load Adaptation for Energy Efficiency

Adaptability of AI to different operating requirements is making energy management more efficient in manufacturing. Machine learning (ML)-enabled soft starters adjust motor acceleration dynamically depending on real-time loads. An EU automotive factory installed AI-enabled soft starters to make conveyor belt systems more efficient, reducing energy consumption by 18% while preserving production efficiency. Reducing inrush currents and mechanical stresses during motor starting, such systems also reduce maintenance costs and enhance sustainability factors.

IoT-Powered Smart Soft Starters from Industry Giants

Industry leaders are rolling out soft starters equipped with AI technology that uses IoT connectivity for remote diagnostics. For instance, an international industrial solutions company recently unveiled a smart soft starter with built-in AI analytics, which enables users to monitor the health of motors through cloud platforms. This technology allows technicians to make adjustments remotely, reducing onsite maintenance visits by 40%. End users in industries such as utilities and HVAC say they benefit measurably, including a 25% energy cost savings and enhanced system dependability.

Regional Insights

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North America Soft Starters Market Analysis and Trends

North America is anticipated to exhibit high growth in the market for global soft starters throughout the forecast period due to increasing adoption of soft starters in a number of industries like meta and mining, oil and gas, power, energy among others. Additionally, the region is home to some of the key players in the market like Benshaw Inc. and Rockwell Automation Inc. In addition, more and more market vendors are emphasizing different growth strategies, like merger and acquisition, which will also boost the growth of the global soft starter market over the forecast period. For example, in December 2019, Benshaw Inc. declared to buy Aucom Electronics. Ltd., a soft starter manufacturer. Hence, these factors will boost growth of the market in the region over the forecast future.

Asia Pacific Soft Starters Market Analysis and Trends

In addition, Asia Pacific is anticipated to achieve significant share in the world's soft starter market over the forecast period. This may be due to increased industrialization in the developing countries in the region, including India and China among others. The expanding industries like power and cement is increasing in the region, which in turn is likely to increase the demand for soft starters. The use of industrial automation is on the rise in the region as a result of its benefits, and this is also likely to increase demand for start starters in the different industrial automation applications. These will be the factors that are expected to drive the growth of the market in Asia Pacific in the future.

Dominating Countries in Global Soft Starter Market

 United States Soft Starter Market Analysis and Trends

 The United States has a substantial market share in the soft starter market, primarily driven by the highly developed industrial infrastructure and the huge need for energy-efficient solutions in every sector. The U.S. manufacturing sector, particularly automotive, oil and gas, and HVAC applications, heavily employs soft starters in order to enhance motor efficiency and decrease operational expenditures. Furthermore, the increasing focus on automation and intelligent technologies also helps drive demand for soft starters within the region.

China Soft Starter Market Analysis and Trends

 China is among the largest markets for soft starters, thanks to its accelerated industrialization and huge investments in infrastructure development. Being one of the world's largest manufacturing centres, China witnesses’ widespread application of soft starters in manufacturing, mining, and power generation industries. The government initiative towards energy-efficient systems and smart grid technologies also fuels the demand for soft starters in industrial processes, adding to China's leadership in the market.

Germany Soft Starter Market Analysis and Trends

As the industrial automation and manufacturing leader, Germany is the key player in the European market for soft starters. The strong industrial sector base of the country, including the automotive, chemical, and energy industries, needs high-performance motor control solutions like soft starters. Germany's energy efficiency and sustainability focus also drives demand for highly advanced soft starter solutions that assist industries in optimizing energy consumption and enhancing operational reliability.

India Soft Starter Market Analysis and Trends

India is increasingly becoming a critical player in the global soft starter market, fueled by its growing industrial base and heightened use of automation technologies. The rising demand for energy-efficient solutions within industries like textiles, mining, and water treatment is driving the uptake of soft starters. Also, India's emphasis on the integration of renewable energy, along with government programs to improve the efficiency of energy, is supporting the development of the soft starter market in the region.

Japan Soft Starter Market Analysis and Trends

Japan's high-tech industry base and advanced technology industry make it an important market for soft starters, especially in high-tech sectors such as robotics, automotive production, and electronics. The emphasis of the country on energy efficiency, along with its drive towards sustainable industrial processes, results in the extensive application of soft starters to maximize motor performance and minimize power consumption in numerous applications.

Market Report Scope

Global Soft Starter Market: Key Developments

• In June 2024, Schneider Electric launched the Altivar Soft Starter ATS130. The product has been engineered to maximize machine design and minimize the need for preventative maintenance. Its purpose is to improve operational performance and reliability within motor control systems.
• In June 2024, Micro-Air has introduced the EasyStart™ Breeze, the next generation of soft starters for RV and marine air conditioners. The device minimizes startup surge by as much as 75% and comes with a 40% smaller enclosure than its predecessors. It comes with fault detection, adaptive learning, and brownout protection for improved reliability and performance.

Global Soft Starter Market: Key Companies Insights

The global soft starter market is highly competitive. This is attributed to continuous launch of new technologies due to ongoing R &D and efforts by value chain participants. Moreover, key players are adopting various business growth strategies in order to expand their presence on regional as well as global basis.

Some of the key players in the global soft starter market are Siemens AG, Aucom Electronics Ltd (Benshaw Inc.), Schneider Electric SE, IGEL Electric GmbH, Eaton Corporation PLC, Crompton Greaves Ltd., ABB Ltd., Toshiba Corporation, Rockwell Automation Inc., Fairford Electronics Inc. (Motortronics UK Ltd), and Danfoss Group.

Analyst View

• The market for soft starters is being driven by increasing industrial automation and the growing focus on energy-efficient motor control technologies in major industries. A major factor is the use of leading-edge automation technologies, which demand tight motor control to maximize operational effectiveness and reduce mechanical stress. Manufacturing, mining, and oil and gas industries are increasingly using soft starters to improve equipment lifespan and lower maintenance expenses. Further, the growing installation of HVAC systems in commercial and residential facilities is boosting demand, with such systems depending on soft starters to control inrush currents and enhance energy saving.
• Restraints are the difficulty of retrofitting sophisticated soft starters in existing industrial systems, which discourages small and medium businesses with fewer resources. Competing against other technologies such as variable frequency drives (VFDs) is also a challenge, especially where the need is for speed control other than straightforward motor startup applications. Opportunities are in the creation of IoT-capable smart soft starters, which provide predictive maintenance and smooth integration into industrial automation platforms.
• The Asia-Pacific region is positioning itself as a high-growth region, underpinned by the fast-paced industrialization within nations such as India and China, along with investments in intelligent infrastructure. North America holds on to the leadership position thanks to strong take-up in the mining, oil and gas, and power generation industries, which is underpinned by strategic buyouts and technology advancements made by major players. The development of the market will depend on reconciling affordable solutions with the need for sophisticated features, while balancing regional regulatory environments and sustainability requirements. Developing economies, with their emphasis on industrialization, offer untapped opportunities for market growth.

Market Segmentation:

• Global Soft Starter Market, By End User Industry
  • Mining and Metal
  • Food and Beverage
  • Energy and Power
  • Oil and Gas
  • Other End user Industries
• Global Soft Starter Market, By Geography
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa
• Company Profiles:
  • Siemens AG
  • Schneider Electric SE
  • Eaton Corporation PLC
  • ABB Ltd
  • Rockwell Automation Inc.
  • Danfoss Group
  • Fairford Electronics Inc. (Motortronics UK Ltd)
  • Toshiba Corporation
  • Crompton Greaves Ltd
  • IGEL Electric GmbH
  • Aucom Electronics Ltd (Benshaw Inc.)

Sources

Primary Research Interviews

• Siemens AG (Industrial Automation Division) [2][5]
• Schneider Electric SE (Energy Management Division)
• Eaton Corporation plc (Electrical Systems Division)
• ABB Ltd. (Motion Business Area)
• Others

Databases

• Expert Market Research Industry Database
• IMARC Group Electrical Components Database
• Others

Magazines

• Industrial Automation Magazine
• Energy & Power Sector Review
• Global Mining & Metals Journal
• Others

Journals

• IEEE Transactions on Industrial Electronics
• Journal of Energy Efficiency in Mechanical Systems
• International Journal of Automation and Control
• Others

Newspapers

• Financial Times – Industrial Innovations Section
• The Wall Street Journal – Energy & Infrastructure
• Economic Times – Manufacturing Edition
• Others

Associations

• International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)
• National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA)
• International Society of Automation (ISA)
• Others

Public Domain Sources

• U.S. Energy Information Administration Reports
• International Energy Agency (IEA) Publications
• European Union Industrial Automation Directives
• Others

Proprietary Elements

• CMI Data Analytics Tool
• Proprietary CMI Existing Repository of Information for Last 8 Years

*Definition: Soft starters are solid-state devices that offer protection to AC electric motors against damage occurring from sudden power influxes, as they limit the large initial current inrush related to motor startup. A soft starter also provides a mild ramp up to full speed and is used at startup.