Ultrasonic Cleaning Equipment Market Size, Share & Growth Analysis, By Type (Standalone, Benchtop, Multistage), By Application (Automotive, Healthcare, Electrical & Electronics, Aerospace & Defense and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2032

The global ultrasonic cleaning equipment market size was valued at USD 604.8 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 943.6 million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period.

Today, manufacturers focus on reducing the possibility of unexpected machine breakdowns, ensuring less downtime, and enabling a smooth flow in the manufacturing process. To maintain the manufacturing ecosystem, regular industrial machinery cleaning and maintenance is vital. In the above mentioned scenario, ultrasonic cleaning is an efficient solution introduced to remove traces of chemical products, oils, pigments, dirt from complex components with cracks, joints, or restricted access without damaging them. Besides, the evolution of various sophisticated technologies embedded in equipment such as programmable logic controllers (PLCs), statistical process analysis, and many others is likely to drive the product demand.           

COVID-19 to Impede the Opportunities for Metal Cleaning Vendors Owing to Halted Operations

The recent COVID-19 pandemic has increased the market ambiguity, leading to shutdowns of production hubs and disruption in the supply chain ecosystem. COVID-19 pandemic is a catastrophe, where the world has turned upside down on humanity by disrupting livelihoods and is combating a full-blown health emergency. According to the United Nations (UN) analysis, the global economy will shrink up to 1% in 2020, according to the previously predicted growth of 2.5%.

The COVID-19 pandemic has unsettled international trade and global supply chain processes. For instance, the America Iron and Steel Institute stated that only 50% of the capacity was operating compared to the previous year, which fell around 80%. This was mainly due to halted manufacturing activities and reduced mill production. Similarly, the production of steel in Europe reduced by 50% due to the lack of new orders falling by 75%. The fluctuation in steel and metal prices also resulted in ultrasonic cleaning systems prices further letting manufacturers reduce their profit margins to sustain in the global market.

In the long term, refurbish centers and metal cleaning vendors are likely to fuel the market due to the rising concerns for metal cleaning across various industry verticals such as healthcare, aerospace and defense, automotive, etc. For instance, in November 2020, Rotherham-based distributor Lloyd announced the opening of its new refurbishment center. The facility utilizes the latest industrial cleaning technology, including ultrasonic cleaning machines, polishing machines, etc.

LATEST TRENDS

Introduction of Intuitive Technologies to Fuel Product Demand

The increasing shift towards smart factories and industry 4.0 brings a new wave of the market trends for smart cleaning devices and equipment. For instance, several ultrasonic equipment configured with intelligent generators that can monitor and optimize the cleaning process at every level are gaining popularity among customers. These devices are further equipped with intelligent sensors and measurement devices capable of automatic temperature control, wastage management, and others.

Owing to such introduction of intuitive technologies, the market for ultrasonic cleaning machines is expected to propel in the forthcoming years. Besides, significant gains in cleaning solvents and chemicals are factors responsible for the demand for ultrasonic cleaning equipment. The stringent regulatory norms, the emergence of small and mid-size companies, and rapid growth in the healthcare and aerospace industry create a potential impact on the market and significant opportunities for SMEs.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Focus on Cleaning Precision Machine Parts to Favor Market Growth

Today, the deployment of connected and intelligent machines across various user industries is thriving rapidly. These smart machines are configured with various connectors, and precision engineering parts, which require critical cleaning at regular intervals to degrease the contaminants from the surface and to prevent future equipment failure. In such cases, the utilization of ultrasonic cleaning equipment plays a pivotal role in removing such stains as high-frequency sound waves are released in the solvent liquid from surfaces submerged in an ultrasonically activated liquid. Besides, the evolution of sophisticated technologies, mainly storage of cleaning process data, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), statistical process analysis, and others are likely to contribute to the adoption of ultrasonic cleaning systems across industries.                            

RESTRAINING FACTORS

High Integration Cost and Lack of Awareness is Anticipated to Deter Market Growth

The lack of awareness observed across developing geographies is a significant factor responsible for hindering the growth of the market. Today, metal cleaning end-users use conventional metal cleaning machines instead of ultrasonic due to massive investment in configuring such devices, lack of skilled operators, and high switching costs. Also, the involvement of government agencies to ensure the safety of workers and reduce environmental risk such as waste generation while metal cleaning and the coating is likely to decrease the product adoption in the near future. For instance, The Environmental Protection Agency and California OSHA have put forth stringent guidelines to limit personnel exposure to toxic materials.

SEGMENTATION

By Type Analysis

Multistage Segment to Grow Significantly Backed by Technological Advancement in Existing Products

Based on type, the market for ultrasonic cleaning equipment is further segmented into standalone, benchtop, and multistage

The multistage segment of this market is expected to rise at the highest growth rate in the forthcoming years. This is attributable to technological up-gradation made in the existing products such as PLC controlled overhead handling systems. This system can transfer component baskets inserted in the machines automatically from one tank to the other tank. Furthermore, these machines are majorly deployed across various applications such as microelectronics, dental/medical equipment, and high precision cleaning.

The standalone and benchtop segments are expected to grow at a steady rate for this market during the forecast period, backed by their cost-effective cleaning, ability to withstand odd temperatures, and others.

By Application Analysis

Healthcare Segment Holds Highest Ultrasonic Cleaning Equipment Market Share Backed by Rising Healthcare Infrastructure

On the basis of application analysis, the study is further categorized into automotive, healthcare, electrical & electronics, aerospace & defense, and others.

The healthcare sub-segment is expected to exhibit the highest growth and is further expected to propel the ultrasonic cleaning equipment market in the near future. This is attributable to the massive foreign direct investments and funding from governmental bodies to build medical infrastructure, the introduction of high-end medical devices, and others

Following healthcare, the automotive segment is anticipated to grow significantly in the forthcoming years, backed by the rising demand for luxury cars that require cleaning of customized components, growing industrialization, and the increasing automotive manufacturing production hubs across developed and developing economies, among others

The aerospace & defense segment is likely to grow at a steady rate owing to the requirement of precision cleaning parts, wherein ultrasonic cleaning plays a pivotal role in removing oil and other stains from the complicated parts. Also, high import/export trading of aerospace machines and components, massive foreign direct investments in countries such as the United States, Germany, China, and others, are further creating a potential room for ultrasonic cleaning machines.

The electrical and electronics segment is anticipated to show moderate growth due to the increasing demand for high precision cleaning components such as semiconductors, transmitters, etc.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Geographically, the market is segmented across five major regions such as North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. They are further categorized into countries.

North America holds a dominant market position for the ultrasonic cleaning equipment due to major manufacturers operating in this region. Additionally, the rising healthcare infrastructure, rapid technological developments in medical devices, and the growing aerospace industry in the United States are likely to impact the product demand. For instance, in 2018, the U.S. aerospace industry recorded an export of USD 151 billion. By the end of 2018, the U.S. aerospace industry noted a foreign direct investment of more than USD 22 billion. The flow of such massive investments is further propelling the aerospace industry resulting in the growth of ultrasonic cleaning equipment in the region.

Followed by North America, Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow significantly in the forthcoming years, backed by the Chinese authorized and unauthorized local players catering to the market. Also, mid and small-sized cleaning solvent vendors focusing on expanding their geographical presence across various nations are supplementing the growth of the ultrasonic machines.

Europe is anticipated to show a steady growth in the forthcoming years owing to the rising government initiatives to build healthcare infrastructure. Besides, the presence of major automotive manufacturers and their widespread manufacturing facilities operating in the region will favor market growth.

The Middle East and Africa is likely to grow at a moderate pace during the forecast period due to significant foreign direct investments to build medical infrastructure. Major ultrasonic equipment suppliers further focus on widening their geographical reach by developing production hubs to cater to the growing demand.           

South America is anticipated to grow at a slower rate in the forthcoming years owing to the involvement of governmental bodies to develop the healthcare sector, along with the focus of major automotive suppliers to build its production units in the region.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Leading Players Are Adopting Vertical Integration Strategy to Increase Profitability

Prominent companies are proactively focusing on implementing a vertical integration strategy to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This also helps the manufacturers control their distributors or retail locations and improve the overall quality levels, resulting in profitable business activities. Besides, key vendors emphasize providing quick after-sales services by expanding their distribution networks across the globe to ensure speedy service of machines and components and deliver the value proposition.       

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• SharperTek (Michigan, United States)


• Mettler Electronics Corp. (California, United States)


• L&R Manufacturing (New Jersey, United States)


• Elma Schmidbauer GmbH (Singen, Germany)


• Luneau Technology Group (Pont-de-l'Arche, France)


• Steelco S.p.A. (Treviso, Italy)


• Emerson Electric Co. (Missouri, United States)


• GT Sonic (Shenzhen, China)


• Kemet International Limited (Maidstone, United Kingdom)


• Crest Ultrasonics Corporation. (New Jersey, United States)


• Blue Wave Ultrasonics (Iowa, United States)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• April 2018: Branson Ultrasonics Corporation unveiled a new ultrasonic cleaners range ideally for food and beverage, automotive, and pharmaceuticals applications. This product launch would supplement industrial application product offerings.


• August 2020: Emerson Electric announced the acquisition of Progea Group. This acquisition will help bridge a critical customer technology gap and enable to stay technologically competitive in the global market

REPORT COVERAGE

The report provides an in-depth analysis of the market dynamics and competitive landscape. It provides various key insights such as recent industry developments in this market, such as mergers & acquisitions, macro, and microeconomic factors, SWOT analysis, and company profiles.

Report Scope & Segmentation