Explosive Detector Market

Market Overview

The global explosive detector market size was valued at USD 7.58 billion in 2022. It is projected to reach USD 15.53 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.3% during the forecast period (2023-2031). 

Explosive detectors are non-destructive inspection tools that aid users in finding explosives and other flammable substances. These gadgets are frequently used in places like government buildings, seaports, airports, and at international borders. To stop terrorism and organized crime, it is crucial to detect explosives at seaports, land borders, and airports. The market for explosive detectors is expanding as a result of rising terrorist activity around the world and government regulations requiring increased and effective security checks, particularly at vital locations like airports and train stations. The growth is constrained by improvised explosive devices and the potential for device failure to endanger the public. However, strict government guidelines for security measures at sensitive locations are anticipated to spur market expansion.

Market Dynamics

What are the primary factors driving the Explosive Detector Market?

Increasing Government Funding in the Aerospace and Defense Sector

Over the past few years, it has become clear that countries like Russia, China, India, Saudi Arabia, and Oman have significantly increased their defense spending. The demand for various products related to aerospace and aviation is rising on a global scale. The importance of air travel is expected to increase along with the growth of the air cargo industry. The aerospace industry must make significant investments in R&D if it hopes to remain competitive globally. As the volume of intelligence data from numerous bands and media (visual, radar, signals, emissions, infrared, ultraviolet, and others) explodes, signal analysis is required to analyze signals quickly and provide decomposition in a short amount of time.

Rising Terrorist Threats and Attacks

Due to the rise in terrorist activities around the world, it is now required that anyone attending a public event, such as an award show or a meeting with influential people, have all of their belongings checked. This is done to lessen any threat from attacks that may exist. Since there are more terrorist attacks every year, it is crucial to protect sensitive locations, which makes it necessary to screen items at public gatherings and locations. In addition, explosive detectors are now widely accepted and used due to the ongoing threat of terrorism.

What are the main factors that will slow down the Explosive Detector Market?

Disadvantages of Lasers used in Explosive Detection

The lasers in explosive detectors are cumbersome and unstable for use in field settings. Additionally, devices utilizing LASER technology are too expensive for practical use. Another drawback of these detectors is that they might detonate the explosive while being checked. This could have fatal consequences. Terrorist organizations have changed the explosives over time so they can quickly pass the security inspection performed by explosive detectors. Additionally, every terrorist group employs a unique explosive. Additionally, failure to find such explosives will result in chaos and a predicament that is unimaginable. These elements could permanently harm the market's expansion.

What are the future opportunities for the Explosive Detector Market?

Growing Adoption of Handheld Explosive Detectors

The explosive detector market has a significant opportunity due to the developing world's rapid development. It is anticipated that the market will expand as a result of the developing countries' rapid urbanization and industrialization. Among other characteristics, the handheld devices are robust, simple to operate by a semi-skilled person, have few false positives, are fully automatic, are battery-operated, and are handheld. A platform technology that can be expanded for the detection of chemical and biological warfare agents will also be advantageous. The portable device scans people, checkpoints, vehicles, buildings, terrorist hotspots, places of importance, crowded establishments, and the environment in order to detect explosives in a matter of seconds using a laser beam. Due to their portability and ability to be used at any time or place, handheld explosive detectors are anticipated to command attention.

Regional Analysis

Europe Dominates the Global Market

The global explosive detector market is bifurcated into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Europe region is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.65% during the forecast period. In the European market, explosive detector sales have increased significantly. Government regulations that are too strict and the ongoing threat of terrorism are two factors that are mainly responsible for the market's growth. Due to their numerous applications, businesses and industries in Europe invest more in detecting technologies. The demand for new technologies and the increase in the use of wireless devices are the key factors supporting market expansion. The market has grown due to the use of explosive detectors in various industries. Furthermore, major players in Europe are working hard to advance this technology and the industries in which it is used.

North America is expected to witness dynamic growth in the global market, with a CAGR of 6.34% during the forecast period. The likelihood of terrorist attacks in North American nations has increased the use of explosive detectors in all appropriate locations to reduce the likelihood of an attack. In order to prevent any further explosive attacks on its citizens, the USA has taken numerous precautions, heavily invested in explosive detective technology, and implemented the technology in various regions and key locations across the country. The global market has room to grow as a result of the semiconductor industry's ongoing development.

Asia-Pacific is expected to witness a significant CAGR of 9.65% in the explosive detector market during the forecast period. The widespread use of this technology in the aviation industry is the reason for the rapid growth. The two largest and fastest-growing nations in the global market are China and India. Due to the region's rapid economic development, an increase in the number of infrastructures like airports, and growing concerns about public safety, explosive detectors, and related technologies are currently widely used. Due to its versatility, the global market is growing in popularity. The use of explosive detectors to reduce explosion threats has come under more attention as modernization has increased.

The LAMEA region is expected to witness a moderate CAGR of 8.7% in the global market during the forecast period. Due to an increase in industrial activity in the oil and gas sector, LAMEA has become a profitable market. Population growth and a rise in modernization are expected to drive market expansion. Additionally, it is anticipated that growth in the cargo and transportation sector and rising aviation investments will increase demand for explosive detectors in these areas. The Middle East's mining, quarrying, and oil and gas extraction industries have very strict requirements for proper safety and security against threats like terrorist explosions. Explosive detectors offer a dependable and secure way to stop such undesirable activities in this region's developing areas. This offers the market lucrative growth prospects.

Segmental Analysis

The global explosive detector market is segmented by type, technology, and end user.

Based on type, the global market is bifurcated into vehicle-mounted, robotics, handheld, and others.

The handheld segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.05% during the forecast period. A handheld explosive detector is defined as any explosive detector that is used for any application that requires the detector to be taken outside to inspect any container or space. These detectors are reasonably lightweight and operate on batteries. The need for portable devices grows as the number of applications for outdoor explosive detectors rises. Fortunately, technological advances in computers and batteries have made it possible for handheld explosive detectors to offer more functionality previously only available with bulk explosive detectors. Handheld explosive detectors are also equipped with ergonomic controls and a screen that reduces glare to accommodate a variety of environmental conditions.

The vehicle-mounted segment is expected to witness a higher CAGR of 7.9%. The growth is brought on by a number of advantages that vehicle-mounted explosive detectors have over other types, including quick response times, dependability, and the ability to perform fieldwork. Explosive detectors mounted on high-performance vehicles are also used to find and find explosives that are concealed. An explosive detector mounted on a vehicle is tough and made for use in the field. Because of its many measurement features and well-thought-out operational concept, it is an indispensable tool for army personnel who require a reliable and life-saving measuring instrument for outdoor patrolling.

Based on technology, the global market is bifurcated into trace and bulk.

The bulk segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.6% during the forecast period. To determine if an object is explosive, a bulk explosives detector remotely detects some physical or chemical characteristic of the object. The high nitrogen and oxygen content of explosives is frequently taken advantage of in bulk explosive techniques. The main benefit of a bulk explosive detector is that it has technology that works faster than trace detectors. At the same time, it guarantees the process's highest level of reliability. The bulk detectors have a much longer lifespan and are more durable than the trace detectors. These benefits of bulk explosive devices fuel market expansion.

The trace segment is expected to witness a higher CAGR of 8.6%. Small-scale explosives can be detected by these explosive detectors. Trace amounts of particulates are sampled to accomplish this. These detectors, to name a few, make use of calorimetric, mass spectrometric, thermo-redox, and ion mobility spectrometric technologies. For applications where the container or object that needs to be detected is in a remote location, trace explosive detectors are helpful. Trace explosive detectors work well in public settings where items can be quickly scanned. There are many different types of these trace-based explosive detectors, ranging from entry-level models to sophisticated models with the widest range of measurement capabilities.

Based on end users, the global market is bifurcated into military & defense, aviation, public places, cargo & transport, and others.

The aviation segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.5% during the forecast period. Aviation detection technologies have impressively advanced in terms of signal/image processing, computing power, and network communications. Additionally, it has aided in the advancement of efficient signal and image processing methods. Before boarding a plane, explosive detectors are used to examine and find different items and belongings of the passengers. It has become increasingly important to have a device that can scan effectively and quickly due to the growing population's use of the aviation industry. This is one of the factors driving global market expansion. Additionally, these devices protect the passenger's life by identifying potential threats.

The military and defense segment is expected to witness a higher CAGR of 8.9%. Explosive detectors are used in the military and defense sector to find locations where soldiers' lives may be in danger. An explosives detector is still an important piece of gear, if not a lifesaver for the soldiers. An explosive detector offers a new level of performance with specialized features known to reduce threats, allowing for accurate testing in combat zones.

Recent Developments

• July 2022, Teledyne FLIR Defense launched a lightweight vehicle surveillance system with technologically advanced counter-drone features.
• September 2022, Smiths Detection India signed MoU with the Indian Government's Bharat Electronics Limited to manufacture high-energy X-ray screening technologies in India.