Global Abrasives Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Global Abrasives Market Overview:

Global Abrasives Market size is forecast to reach US$54.2 billion by 2026, and is growing at CAGR of 5.2% during 2021-2026. Abrasive is a material, usually a mineral, that is used to rub work parts to finish or shape them, causing wear and tear. It’s comparable to polishing, which entails roughening to achieve a reflecting and smooth surface, such as in matte or satin finishes. Silicon carbide is a hard ceramic material that is only surpassed by diamond, cubic boron nitride, and boron carbide in terms of hardness. These abrasive granules are hard and brittle, and they disintegrate under pressure. When it’s important to avoid contamination and corrosion of items, aluminium oxide has long been a favored abrasive choice for sandblasting and surface preparation. Bonded abrasives are a mixture of abrasive grains, fillers, and bonding materials. They are used to remove surface materials such as metal, ceramics, glass, plastics and others. Due to the use of abrasives in industrial processing including cutting, drilling, grinding, honing, sharpening, buffing, lapping, polishing, sanding and polishing, the global abrasives market is forecasted to grow.

COVID-19 Impact

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Global Abrasives Market was highly impacted. Most of the manufacturing plants of Global Abrasives were shut down, which declined the production of glass tiles. Also, due to supply chain disruptions such as raw material delays or non-arrival, disrupted financial flows, and rising absenteeism among production line staff, OEMs have been forced to function at zero or partial capacity, resulting in lower demand and consumption for Abrasives. However, with gradual lockdown relaxations, manufacturers started operating with minimum workforce abiding by necessary COVID-19 norms. The Building and Construction works gradually started across the globe. The Global Abrasives Market is expected to overcome the small economic disruption and further grow in the forecast period. 

Report Coverage

The report: “Global Abrasives Market – Forecast (2021-2026)”, by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of Global Abrasives Market.
By Material: Natural (Calcite, Diamond, Corundum, Emery, Others), and Synthetic (Silicon Carbide, Boron Nitride, Aluminum Oxide, Boron Carbide, Others).
By Product: Coated Abrasives, Bonded Abrasives, Super Abrasives, Non-Woven Abrasives, Others.
By Application: Grinding, Cutting, Polishing, Drilling, Finishing, Others.
By End Use Industry: Automotive, Aerospace, Medical, Energy, Electrical and Electronics, Building and Construction, Machinery, Metal Fabrication, Others.
By Geography: North America (USA, Canada, and Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Russia, Belgium, and Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, and Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, and Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, and Africa)

Key Takeaways

• Asia Pacific dominates the Global Abrasives Market, owing to the increasing uses of abrasives in the construction sector and urbanization in the region.
• In the construction industry, a new expenditure and finance pattern has been detected. Construction activity will transit away from nonresidential structures and toward infrastructure, followed by residential developments in the long run. In Asia, funding structures are changing as well, with a rise in the use of private capital, including public-private partnerships.
• Abrasives are used to cut reinforced concrete, tiles, stone, and granite, among other things. As a result, they’re found in masonry, floor, tile, and handheld saws, as well as core drilling equipment, floor grinders, and power trowels.

Figure: Asia-Pacific Abrasives Market Revenue, 2020-2026 (US$ Billion)

Global Abrasives Market Segment Analysis – By Material

Synthetic segment held the largest share of 75% in the Global Abrasives Market in 2020. Silicon carbide is a non-ferrous metal that is commonly utilised. The most widely used abrasive is aluminium oxide, often known as alumina, which is commonly used for ferrous alloys, high-tensile materials, and wood. Aluminium Oxide is known for its great strength and hardness; in fact, it is one of the hardest minerals found in its native form, Corundum. Aluminum oxide is typically found in anti-slip surfaces, sandpaper, and ceramics, but it’s also utilised as an abrasive media for blast cleaning and is compatible with a wide range of substrates, including marble, steel, glass, and granite. Aluminum Oxide has a longer cutting life than other abrasive media, allowing it to be reused without losing its effectiveness. As a result of the lower frequency of replacement, Aluminium Oxide provides exceptional value for money. Aluminum Oxide has a longer cutting life than other abrasive media, allowing it to be reused without losing its effectiveness. Hence due to the Aluminium Oxide segment growth, the Global Abrasives Market is going to grow in the forecast period.

Global Abrasives Market Segment Analysis – By Product Type

Bonded Abrasive segment held the largest share of 43% in the Global Abrasives Market in 2020. In Bonded abrasives, the grains are bonded together to produce a solid form that resembles a wheel. In order to reinforce the grinding surface while cutting, bonded abrasives require a binding agent or resin. The type of grain, spacing and bond material determine an abrasive’s performance. Bonded abrasives, such as cut-off wheels, snagging wheels, mounted wheels, segments, plugs, and cones, can be used for a variety of grinding applications and have a wide range of uses, with different bonding agents providing varied functionalities. A variety of industries can benefit from bonded abrasives, including aerospace, commercial construction, security, life sciences, and transportation. High-performance bonded abrasive grains should be able to micro fracture, allowing for the constant renewal of fresh cutting edges, making them more versatile and increasing productivity. Due to heavy industrial use, the Bonded Abrasive segment is going to aid to the growth of Global Abrasives Market in the forecast period.

Global Abrasives Market Segment Analysis – By Application

Grinding segment held the largest share of 30% in the Global Abrasives Market in 2020. Grinding, also known as abrasive machining, is the action of irregularly shaped abrasive particles on a work piece to remove metal in the form of microscopic chips. A grinding wheel is an abrasive machining tool that can be used for a variety of grinding and abrasive machining processes. It’s typically built from a matrix of coarse abrasive particles that have been crushed and bonded together to form a solid, circular shape; different profiles and cross sections are available depending on the wheel’s intended use. Solid steel or aluminium can also be used to make grinding wheels. HEDG stands for high-efficiency deep grinding. Plated super abrasive wheels are used in this procedure. These wheels never need to be dressed and are more durable than regular wheels. This lowers the cost of purchasing capital equipment. HEDG may be used on long parts and removes 1 cubic inch (16 cm cubic) of material in 83 seconds. Hence the growth of grinding application of Abrasives is going to boost the growth of Global Abrasives Market in the forecast period.

Global Abrasives Market Segment Analysis – By End Use Industry

Metal Fabrication segment held the largest share of 28% in the Global Abrasives Market in 2020. Abrasives are used for cutting, grinding, and fabricating a number of metals such as steel, stainless steel and others metals. The rising demand for steel and steel-related products are acting as a driver for the abrasives industry. In the North American region, such as the United States, the steel industry is growing at a rapid pace. From January to August 2018, the monthly steel consumption index in the United States climbed by 3.7 percent year on year during the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). In July 2020, Sargent Metal Fabricators Inc., announced its plan to expand operations in South Carolina, U.S. with an investment of USD 9.5 million. This will further influence the abrasives market growth. Apart from metal fabrication, building and construction hold next major share. According to a study by Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE), the global construction industry is expected to value USD 8 trillion by 2030, primarily driven by United States and few developing countries (China & India).

Global Abrasives Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

Asia Pacific region held the largest share in the global abrasive market in 2020 up to 40%. The APAC automotive industry has grown significantly over the last several decades, owing largely to China's massive automotive sector and, to a lesser extent, India's fast-growing auto industry. Many western automobile and automotive component manufacturers are eager to establish a presence in the region as a result of this. The Asia Pacific area continues to dominate the market and the manufacturers in this region offer high-cost reduction, owing to the availability of low-cost labour and raw materials. According to OICA (International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers), in Asia Pacific 44,289,900 total vehicles were produced in the year 2020 out of which china and India accounted for 25,225,242 and 3,394,446 vehicles. Japan accounted for 8,067,557 motor vehicles production in the year 2020. Hence due to the demand and huge production quantity of Automotive in the world the Global Abrasives Market is going to grow in the forecast period.

Global Abrasives Market Drivers

Abrasives use in Electronics and semiconductor industry and its growth:

Abrasives are used to make printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are essential components of electronic devices such as computers, laptops, routers, and other devices. Abrasives are utilised to make electronic devices that are used in the digitalization process. CMP (chemical mechanical planarization) conditioners for the semiconductor industry were invented by Abrasive Technology and are traditionally performed with an abrasive slurry and a polishing pad. The abrasive particles are incorporated in the pad material (fixed abrasives) in an alternate method known as ‘slurry free CMP’. In terms of planarization, the fixed abrasives method outperforms the slurry process: the rate of planarization for the slurry-free approach is over three times faster. Further process optimization, such as the use of a thinner pre-CMP oxide layer, is now possible. The World Semiconductor Trade Statistics (WSTS) Semiconductor Market Forecast released in June 2020 projected worldwide semiconductor industry sales will increase slightly to US$426 in 2020, a downward revision from its fall 2019 forecast for 2020, due mainly to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy and supply chains at the start of 2020. In 2021, WSTS forecasts global sales will rebound to US$452 billion.

Increasing use of Abrasives in construction industry aiding the growth :

Abrasives are utilised in metalworking applications such as weld preparation and welding seam smoothing in the construction of bridges and structures. Abrasives are also employed in construction buildings’ floors, ramps, steps, and stairways, all of which are prone to slippage. Similarly, mechanical and abrasive procedures such as grinding, lapping, polishing, and others are used to form numerous materials used in buildings. The construction industry uses diamond-tipped saw blades, grinding discs, cutting discs and abrasive materials. A rise in disposable income, expanding urbanization, and a self-reliant construction culture, among other reasons, are likely to boost the construction sector during the projection period. As a result, the construction industry is growing. According to US Census Bureau Construction spending during June 2021 it was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of US$1,552.2billion, 0.1 percent (±1.2 percent) above the revised May estimate of US$1,551.2 billion. Hence Due to the significant growth globally, the construction industry will contribute to the growth of Global Abrasives Market in the forecast period.

Global Abrasives Market Challenges

Health Hazards associated with Abrasives:

Abrasive blasting operations can create high Levels of dust and noise. Abrasive material and the surface being blasted may contain toxic materials (e.g., lead paint, silica) that are Hazardous to workers. Silica sand (crystalline) can cause silicosis, Lung cancer, and breathing problems in Exposed workers. Coal slag and garnet sand may cause lung damage similar to silica sand (based on preliminary animal testing). Copper slag, nickel slag, and glass (crushed Or beads) also have the potential to cause Lung damage. Steel grit and shot have less potential to cause Lung damage. Slags can contain trace amounts of toxic metals. Personal protective equipment should be worn by the workers following personal hygiene practices in order to curb the health hazards.

Global Abrasives Market Landscape

Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the Global Abrasives Market. Global Abrasives Market top companies include:

• Robert Bosch GmbH
• 3M Company
• Cosentino S.A.
• Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc.
• Henkel AG & Co.
• KGAA
• Asahi Diamond Industrial Co. Ltd.
• Dupont.
• Fujimi Incorporated
• Carborundum Universal Limited and others.

Acquisitions/Technology Launches

On 26^th May 2021, Saint-Gobain Abrasives introduced Norton Quantum Prime Grinding Wheels featuring new, proprietary nano-crystalline ceramic grain that offers unprecedented productivity gains across a wide range of applications.

Relevant Reports

Super Abrasives Market - Industry Analysis, Market Size, Share, Trends, Application Analysis, Growth And Forecast 2021 - 2026
Report Code: CMR 29821

North America Abrasives Market – Forecast (2021 - 2026)
Report Code: CMR 1431  

For more Chemicals and Materials related reports, please click here