Abrasives Market

Increasing demand from the automotive industry

The abrasives are used for engine part size, vehicle body repair, and interior and external cleaning. These products are also used to clean the insides of pipes, smooth welds, smooth edges, and surfaces that will be oiled, fitted, polished, or painted. Coated and non-woven materials are used to refinish car bodywork, whilst grinding wheels are employed on cars. This significant demand from diverse applications in the automotive sector directly supports the industry's growth.

Non-engine components and accessories like as brakes, steering wheels, wheels, and axles are all made with abrasive materials. To gather tools, brakes have a specific abrasive with a non-directional scratch pattern. It is used to decrease discolouration and remove brake squeal on heat-sensitive metals. Sandpapers with abrasive grains are used to prepare and clean the inside and exterior of vehicles. Furthermore, escalating raw material price variations and economic conditions are projected to have a substantial influence on this industry.

In 2021, the number of automobiles manufactured in the United States surpassed 9.1 million, with each vehicle comprising hundreds of machined components, resulting in thousands of surfaces that needed to be finished with abrasive grinding. High throughput rates, resulting in greater grinding speeds, are required to maintain huge production volumes. These high speeds increase wear on grinding tools and greater operating temperatures, reducing abrasive life. As a result, frequent tooling modifications may be required, resulting in greater production costs.

To enhance wear and longevity, one of the current trends in the automobile industry is to use stronger steel with better surface finishes. Grinding becomes more difficult on these tougher surfaces, which necessitates specific abrasives in some situations Thus, the increasing demand from the automotive industry is likely to drive the growth of the Abrasives market revenue.

In February 2024, Krebs & Riedel from Germany and GYSL introduced PROTEUS ABRASIVES as a partnership, which is a remarkable fusion of the finest precision engineering and grinding technology. The joint endeavor seeks to bring together German perfectionism with effective Asian production techniques in order to set new benchmarks.

Figure 1: Country-wise Top 10 Automotive Producers, 2021

The Global Abrasives Market Industry is poised for substantial growth, with projections indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.07% from 2025 to 2035. The market is expected to evolve significantly, driven by various factors such as technological advancements, increasing demand from key sectors, and a focus on sustainability. The anticipated market value of 125.0 USD Billion by 2035 reflects the industry's potential and adaptability to changing market dynamics. This growth trajectory suggests a robust future for the Global Abrasives Market Industry, with opportunities for innovation and expansion.

The Global Abrasives Market Industry is experiencing a surge in demand driven by the automotive sector. As vehicle production ramps up, the need for abrasives in manufacturing processes such as grinding, polishing, and finishing becomes increasingly critical. In 2024, the market is projected to reach 65.4 USD Billion, with automotive applications accounting for a substantial share. This trend is likely to continue, as the automotive industry evolves towards electric vehicles, which require specialized abrasives for battery production and lightweight materials. The growth in this sector indicates a robust future for the Global Abrasives Market Industry.

The Global Abrasives Market Industry is significantly influenced by the expansion of construction activities worldwide. As urbanization accelerates, the demand for abrasives in construction applications, including surface preparation and finishing, is on the rise. The construction sector utilizes various abrasive materials for tasks such as cutting, grinding, and polishing. This trend is expected to contribute to the market's growth, with projections indicating a market value of 125.0 USD Billion by 2035. The increasing investments in infrastructure development globally further bolster the demand for abrasives, showcasing the industry's potential.

The Global Abrasives Market Industry is witnessing a rising demand for precision engineering across various sectors. Industries such as aerospace, medical devices, and electronics require high-precision components that necessitate the use of specialized abrasives for machining and finishing processes. This trend indicates a shift towards higher quality standards and tighter tolerances in manufacturing. As precision engineering continues to gain traction, the demand for advanced abrasives is expected to grow, further solidifying the market's position. The focus on quality and precision in manufacturing processes highlights the importance of abrasives in achieving desired outcomes.

Technological advancements in abrasive materials are reshaping the Global Abrasives Market Industry. Innovations such as the development of super abrasives and advanced bonding techniques enhance the performance and efficiency of abrasives. These advancements allow for faster cutting speeds and improved durability, catering to the needs of various industries, including metalworking and woodworking. As manufacturers adopt these new technologies, the market is likely to witness increased competitiveness and growth. The continuous evolution of abrasive materials suggests a promising trajectory for the Global Abrasives Market Industry.

The Global Abrasives Market Industry is increasingly influenced by environmental regulations and the push for sustainable practices. As industries strive to reduce their environmental footprint, there is a growing demand for eco-friendly abrasives that minimize waste and emissions. Manufacturers are responding by developing biodegradable and recyclable abrasive products, aligning with global sustainability goals. This shift not only meets regulatory requirements but also appeals to environmentally conscious consumers. The integration of sustainable practices within the abrasives sector indicates a transformative phase for the Global Abrasives Market Industry.

By Region, the study segments the market into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. Asia-Pacific Abrasives market accounted for USD 29.2 billion in 2021 and is expected to exhibit an 6.25% CAGR during the study period. This is attributed to the robust growth of the automotive, metalworking and other industries in majoe economies in the region is fueling the demand for Abrasives.

Further, the major countries studied are: The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 3:  ABRASIVES MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2021 (%)

Source: Secondary Research, Primary Research, Market Research Future Database and Analyst Review

North America Abrasives market accounts for the second-largest market share. Overall, the US is the world’s second-largest market for vehicle sales and production. Due to well-integrated North American supply chains, the vehicles produced in most of the countries comprise more than 40% of raw materials sourced from the US and Canada. The US exports of automotive parts and components have more than tripled between 2005 and 2020. Thus, the escalating growth of the automotive industry in the region is expected to drive the growth of the North America resin bonded abrasives market during the forecast period.

Further, the USA Abrasives  market held the largest market share and was the fastest-growing market in the region

The Europe Abrasives Market has a market share of 15%-16% in the abrasives market. This is due to growth in the automotive and metalworking industry. Moreover, Germany Abrasives market held the largest market share, and was the fastest growing market in the European region.

The  Abrasives market is characterized by the presence of global, regional, and local players. The market is highly consolidated, with all the players competing to gain significant market share. The key market players of Abrasives compete based on cost, product quality, availability of raw materials, and durability of the product. They are engaged in expanding their production capacity and investing in R&D activities to gain an edge over competitors. Furthermore, the growing popularity of Abrasives in smart electronics and electric vehicles is expected to offer lucrative opportunities to manufacturers in the coming years.

However, scarcity of raw materials is expected to hinder the growth of the market studied significantly.

Additionally, the adoption of various strategies by the Abrasives industry such as expansion, R&D, agreements, acquisitions, collaborations, and investments is expected to help these players to gain maximum revenue and long-term growth during the review period. The key participants in the  Abrasives market are Asahi Diamond Industrial Co. Ltd, Saint Gobain Abrasives, 3M, Jason Incorporated, Norton Abrasives, Krebs And Riedel, Deerfos Co. Ltd, DowDuPont Inc., Sia Abrasives Industries AG, Carborundum Universal Ltd, Noritake Co. Ltd, Schaffner Manufacturing Company Inc., TYROLIT Group, Fujimi Incorporated.

3M is a diversified technology company with a  presence. It operates through four business segments: safety and industrial, transportation and electronics, healthcare, and consumer. The company produces over 60,000 products under different brands, including abrasives, adhesives, laminates, personal protective equipment, window films, passive fire protection, paint protection films, and many more. The company operates through 64 manufacturing facilities in 29 states in the US. Internationally, the company has 97 manufacturing and converting facilities across 35 countries.

Also, Norton Abrasives is the world’s leading supplier of abrasives and high-performance materials. In 1990, Saint-Gobain acquired Norton Company but retained the Norton brand name for many of its products supplies across the globe. Saint-Gobain Abrasives, the world’s leading abrasives manufacturer, is the only international supplier of abrasives that manufactures each of the three major types of abrasives: Bonded Abrasives, Coated Abrasives, and Diamond and CBN products. It offers a wide range of products to diverse industries aerospace, automotive, consumer, electronics, energy, food & beverage, industrial, and life sciences.

The company has around 63 manufacturing facilities in around 15 countries ly. The company has a presence in more than 67 countries with solutions that serve every major market worldwide.