Non-Destructive Testing Market is estimated to be valued at US$ 17.33 Bn in 2024, growing at a CAGR of 9.7% over the forecast period (2024-2031). With increasing demand from the oil & gas industry for inspecting pipelines, tanks, and vessels to ensure safety, the market is poised to witness robust growth. Furthermore, the advent of digitalization and automation is fueling the adoption of advanced non-destructive testing techniques.
Market Dynamics:
The growth of the global non-destructive testing market is driven by the growing demand from the oil & gas industry for pipeline inspection and rising adoption of digitalization. The need for pipeline inspection in the oil & gas industry has significantly increased in order to ensure safety and prevent catastrophic failures. This is expected to drive the demand for ultrasonic testing, radiography testing, and other advanced non-destructive testing techniques over the forecast period. Furthermore, the integration of digital technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and machine learning is gaining traction in the non-destructive testing space. These cutting-edge technologies help in automating inspection process and in generating precise and accurate results, thereby boosting the market growth.
Market Drivers: Increasing Adoption of Non-destructive Testing in Various End-use Industries is Driving the Market Growth
One of the major drivers for the non-destructive testing market is the increasing adoption of these techniques across various end-use industries such as oil and gas, aerospace, manufacturing, automotive, and power generation. Non-destructive testing helps inspect materials, components, and structures for defects and internal flaws without causing any damage to the subject being tested. This ensures the integrity and performance of critical assets in these industries. With growing concerns over safety, quality control and extending asset life, companies are increasingly relying on non-destructive testing solutions. The oil and gas industry has witnessed widespread deployment of ultrasound testing, radiography, and visual testing methods to inspect pipelines and ensure safety. Similarly, advanced non-destructive testing plays a crucial role in quality assurance for aircraft components and parts in the aerospace sector. The need for periodic inspection and preventive maintenance is creating sustained demand for non-destructive testing from these industries.
Market Driver: Stringent Safety Regulations are Propelling Demand from Various Industries
Stringent regulations and quality standards drive the non-destructive testing market. Industrial sectors, such as oil and gas, power generation, and aviation, have to adhere to strict regulations imposed by regulatory bodies like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE). For example, mandatory pipeline testing requirements in the U.S. and European Union are driving oil & gas pipeline operators to deploy advanced non-destructive testing systems. Similarly, aerospace manufacturers have to comply with aviation safety norms stipulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which inspect aircraft parts using non-destructive evaluation techniques. Compliance issues and hefty penalties for non-compliance are compelling companies across industries to increasingly rely on non-destructive testing services.
Market Restraints: High Cost of Technologies is Hindering Widespread Adoption
One key restraint for the non-destructive testing market is the high cost associated with deployment and operation of various technologies. Top-end ultrasound testing systems, radiography devices, and automated visual inspection equipment involve substantial capital expenditures, which restricts their adoption especially among small and medium enterprises across industries. Similarly, procedures like phased array ultrasonic testing, thermography, and digital radiography require skilled technicians and ongoing training, driving up operating expenses. The costs rise further in portable and on-site testing applications. This financial barrier has been a hurdle in driving technology penetration, especially in price-sensitive and cost-constrained end-use industries such as construction, power transmission, and mining. Additionally, the maintenance and calibration of complex non-destructive testing devices also burden users with extra operating costs over the lifecycle.
Market Restraints: Shortage of Skilled Workforce Hampers Market Growth
Another critical challenge faced by the non-destructive testing industry is the global shortage of adequately trained personnel to operate advanced systems and interpret test results. Non-destructive testing requires expertise in engineering disciplines, thorough material science knowledge, and accurate identification of defects. However, technical training programs in this field have struggled to keep pace with the evolving technologies. This skills gap has resulted in lesser number of NDT certified professionals. The opportunities also do not match the demand. These factors have made it difficult for service providers to recruit and retain talent. The lack of a skilled NDT workforce restricts the ability to maximize utilization of non-destructive testing equipment. It also hinders the expansion of on-site and customer-focused services. The shortage of inspection engineers and technicians remains a pressing concern constraining market growth worldwide.
Market Opportunities: Adoption of Digital Transformation Technologies Opening New Avenues
The integration of various digital technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), machine learning, automation, and cloud computing with conventional non-destructive testing methods is opening up new avenues for growth. Advanced data analytics capabilities are helping improve inspection reliability, detect defects with more precision, expedite reporting, and drive consistency. For instance, AI-powered ultrasonic testing can now analyze scan volumes at superfast speeds and identify flaws with over 95% accuracy. Automated visual inspection systems equipped with robotics and computer vision significantly enhance throughput and consistency for manufacturing applications. The cloud also facilitates remote data access and evaluation by experts. Such digitization is helping address industry pain-points around workforce shortage, operational efficiency, and delivering value-added services. It is supporting customized offerings like predictive maintenance and condition monitoring. The adoption of digital NDT presents immense opportunities by transforming service delivery models and driving tech disruptions in the market.
*Link: https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/non-destructive-testing-market-5350
Key Developments:
- In March 2022, Acuren Inspection, Inc., a U.S.-based company providing NDT inspection and engineering services, acquired Cambridge Materials Testing Limited for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition bolstered Acuren’s laboratory testing capabilities, particularly in aerospace, nuclear, medical, and consumer goods. This expansion enabled Acuren to offer a wider range of services to its customers in Cambridge, including NDT and field engineering services.
- In February 2023, Sonatest partnered with Echobolt, a U.K.-based maintenance service provider, to offer advanced Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology (PAUT) to the wind industry. This collaboration combines Sonatest's hardware solutions with Echobolt's services to inspect bolts in wind turbines.
- In February 2023, Waygate Technologies, a Baker Hughes company, announced a major upgrade to its Krautkramer USM 100 ultrasonic testing device. This upgrade includes new features and improvements to enhance the device's performance and functionality. The Krautkramer USM 100 is commonly used in non-destructive testing across various industries, and the upgrade aims to provide users with better capabilities and efficiency.
- In May 2021, MISTRAS Group introduced advanced Automated Ultrasonic Testing (AUT) pipeline inspection solutions in the Netherlands. These solutions improve efficiency and safety during inspections.
Key Players:
Previan Technologies, Inc., Bureau Veritas, Fischer Technology Inc. (Helmut Fischer), MISTRAS Group, Comet Group (YXLON International), MME Group, TWI Ltd., Nikon Corporation, Olympus Corporation, Sonatest, Acuren, Intertek Group plc, CREAFORM, Vidisco Ltd., SGS S.A., and General Electric