The global vapor recovery unit market size was valued at USD 753.12 million in 2018 and is expected to reach USD 1116.95 million by 2026 with an anticipated CAGR of 5.05% during the forecast period, 2019–2026.
A vapor recovery unit (VRU) is a system designed to recover the vapor of gasoline or other fuels for injection into the suction of a large compressor. Mechanical VRUs consist of driver motors that supply power to the compressor. These mechanical VRUs are driven either by an electric motor or by a natural gas engine. Additionally, VRUs are used to mitigate noxious and other potentially explosive fumes and pollution, which are hazardous.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Year | 2017 |
| Study Period | 2016-2026 |
| Forecast Period | 2023-2031 |
| CAGR | 5.05% |
| Market Size | USD 1116.95 million by 2026 |
| Fastest Growing Market | Europe |
| Largest Market | North America |
| Report Coverage | Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Environment & Regulatory Landscape and Trends |
| Geographies Covered |
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The growth of the vapor recovery unit market is driven by the ability of VRUs to reduce regulatory and liability expense. Additionally, the recovered vapor can be more valuable than methane, which has much higher BTU content than pipeline quality natural gas. Moreover, VRUs capture up to 95% of the hydrocarbon vapor. The oil and gas industry uses VRUs to capture vent gas, which can reduce current and future risk and liability, as well as greenhouse gas emission.
VRUs are designed to comply with air permit restrictions. These units enhance profitability by sending the natural gas recovered to the sales pipeline, increasing the facility’s total volume of gas sold.
Geographically, the vapor recovery unit market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Latin America and the Middle East and Africa (LAMEA).
North America holds the largest share in the vapor recovery market due to the existence of leading manufacturers of vapor recovery system units. AEREON, John Zink, and ZEECO are prominent players in the production as well as distribution of VRUs. Additionally, the EPA regulation of 2011 has called for higher VOC emission recovery, due to which a new market opportunity has been established for VRU manufacturers. Therefore, various prominent players whose headquarters are outside the U.S. are now entering the country. An increase in oil prices by 2019 is also expected to boost overall VRU sales in the region as the U.S. is a dominant player in the vapor recovery services market. Many prominent players in the vapor recovery services market are planning to expand their business in the U.S. market. Thus, O&M service operations are estimated witness healthy growth in the North America vapor recovery service market.
Europe is an emerging vapor recovery market because the majority of systems being used are active systems. Additionally, there are still some passive balance systems in the market from the early days of stage II in Sweden as well as Switzerland, but these systems are being phased out step by step. Additionally, the high demand for vapor recovery units from the oil & gas industries in countries such as the U.K., Germany, and Italy is driving the market.
In Asia-Pacific and Australia, vapor recovery units have become compulsory in most of the areas. In Australia, there are two categories of vapor recovery units are used – VR1 and VR2. VR1 is installed in fuel stations that constitute less than 500,000 liters every year, while VR2 is for fuel quantities more than 500,000 liters every year, or as assigned by different EPA bodies. Additionally, India and China are expected to boost the demand for oil & gas products.
The Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar are extensively using vapor recovery units as these countries are prominent oil and gas markets. While the current oil crisis will negatively impact the market in the Middle East, the market is expected to grow moderately in the long run.
The vapor recovery unit market is segmented by type, application and end user
Based on type, the market is segmented into carbon adsorption, membrane separation, and condensation by refrigeration.
Based on application, the market is segmented into processing, storage, and transportation. The transportation segment is likely to lead the vapor recovery unit market during the forecast period. This is attributed to the increasing use of vapor recovery units in oil & gas sectors.
Based on end-user, the market is segmented into oil & gas and others. The oil & gas sector is expected to hold a significant share in the market during the forecast period. This is attributed to the rising demand in downstream processes and emission control systems to meet the stringent regulations of VOC emissions.
