Welding Fume Extraction Equipment Market

Market Overview

The Total Addressable Market (TAM) for Welding Fume Extraction Equipment was valued at USD 1.72 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 2.76 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.4% during the forecast period (2022-2030). 

A fume extractor is a device that uses a fan to draw fumes and dust particles into a confined filtration system using a negative draft. Fume extractor equipment is required to manage and minimize smoke and harmful particles generated during the process inside the environment. Various processes release different amounts and quantities of harmful chemicals. These technologies and materials are utilized to reduce the effect of the concentration of hazardous particles. Operators of welding equipment run a significant risk of exposure to toxic substances, which can result in various health issues, including Parkinson's disease, laryngeal cancer, and chronic lung issues. The health effects of welding fumes and gases can include nausea, dizziness, and irritation of the nose, throat, and eyes, which can be reduced with a fume extractor.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Welding Fumes, Health Hazards, and Strict Workplace Regulations

Welding joins elements together by melting filler metal to create a solid junction. As a result, metal fume and gas byproducts are created in visible smoke during welding. Silicates, metallic oxides, and fluorides make up the complicated composition of welding gases. Due to the danger and toxicity of these gases, they must be regulated to keep the working environment for welders and other personnel in a given workplace safe and healthy.

In addition to gases such as nitrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ozone, hydrogen fluoride, ozone, and nitric oxide, welding fumes also contain metals such as iron, aluminum, copper, beryllium, manganese, antimony, nickel, zinc, lead, chromium, vanadium, and molybdenum. Employers' exposure to welding fumes is influenced by a number of factors, including the base and filler metals they use, the welding process types, the welders' work habits, the makeup of the welding rod, the use of ventilation controls, air movement, and the workplace itself (e.g., enclosed space or outside). Thus, there is a growing need for fume extractors to reduce the effect of dangerous fumes.

Market Restraint

Additional Investment, Operation, and Maintenance Cost

A corporation must allocate additional funds to purchase and install welding fume extraction equipment. The demand for welding fume extraction equipment is expected to be negatively impacted by the requirement for more significant capital investment and increased power consumption and maintenance. Portable fume extraction systems are ideal if the welder wants to move to several locations to complete welds while maintaining fume extraction because they are typically less expensive. Although these systems have their motor and filter, typically smaller than those found in central fume collecting systems, they still need regular maintenance.

Portable systems have higher maintenance costs due to transit damage and being hit or dropped. Larger motors and filters are a feature of central fume collecting systems, reducing the filter replacement frequency. Additionally, because these systems are fixed at a fixed position, much less general maintenance is needed. However, the initial expenditure associated with central fume extraction systems is significant due to the electrical needs and personnel expenses involved in installing and commissioning the system. Consultation requirements to introduce the system into the plant.

Market Opportunities

Growing Demand from End-User Industries

In the fabrication process known as welding, two or more materials are joined by applying heat, pressure, or both and then allowing the materials to cool. Welding is widely employed in building and construction, automotive and transportation, marine, aerospace, and other industries. The demand for welding, which is further reliant on the expansion of the end-user industries, is directly related to the demand for welding fume extraction equipment. Developing structures of various sizes, degrees of complexity, and uses is the primary emphasis of the construction business. The building sector uses a lot of metals since durability, and structural integrity is the two most important criteria.

In construction, welding is widely employed, particularly for creating sturdy metal frames. For instance, welding steel buildings is primarily done using submerged metal arc welding (SMAW), often known as arc welding. Structural steel is frequently created using flux-cored arc welding (FCAW). Similarly, MIG welding, often referred to as gas metal arc welding (GMAW), is employed in structural and non-structural applications. Additionally, due to its compatibility with various metals, including copper, bronze, stainless steel, aluminum, and stainless steel, TIG welding, also known as gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW), is essential in the construction sector. As a result, there is a growing need from the end-user sector, which is expected to create tremendous opportunities for the global welding fume extraction equipment market over the forecast period.

Regional Analysis

The global welding fume extraction equipment market is divided into four regions, namely North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. 

Asia-Pacific Dominates the Global Market

Asia-Pacific is the most significant shareholder in the global welding fume extraction equipment market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.30% during the forecast period. Over two-thirds of the global economic growth is attributed to Asia-Pacific, the region with the fastest growth rates globally. The infrastructure sector comprises projects in several industries, including manufacturing, transportation, extraction, and social infrastructure. The usage of welding fume extraction equipment during the construction of bridges, buildings, and steel structures is crucial to maintaining safe and healthy working conditions. This will propel the welding fume extraction equipment market over the forecast period.

North America is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.90%, generating USD 1,666.36 million over the forecast period. The COVID-19 epidemic badly impacted North America and the rest of the world, slowing down economic activity and industrial sectors like manufacturing and automobiles. In addition, recent closures, snags in the supply chain, and the impossibility of working remotely have all contributed to the downfall of the manufacturing sector. The technology used in the welding industry is also changing. The integration of welding operations into the whole production process has increased the importance of energy efficiency, environmental performance, quality, and productivity. Rapid technical improvements are causing a shift in the welding business in the United States. Additionally, the welding industry in Mexico is full of difficulties due to the continued reliance on specialized labor.

Europe is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. The governments of various nations' supportive actions, wage growth, and ongoing job creation are all expected to contribute to the European economy's steady expansion. Public spending, particularly on transportation and digital infrastructure, is anticipated to significantly impact the region's overall economic development. Additionally, economic development is anticipated to be further fueled by private investments, particularly in the building sector. In order to prevent health issues brought on by the welding process, occupational exposure laws are developed and implemented by the European OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health at Work) and several other regulatory bodies. This will probably force the welding businesses to equip their employees' welding workshops with fume extraction systems.

Segmental Analysis

The global welding fume extraction equipment market is segmented by product and application.

By Product Analysis

Based on product, the global welding fume extraction equipment market is bifurcated into mobile units, stationary units, and large centralized units.

The mobile unit segment is the highest contributor to the market and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.00% over the forecast period. Mobile welding fume extractors may be easily moved about the workshop to wherever extraction is needed because they are mounted on wheels. Mobile units are ideal for small fabrication and welding facilities that need light- to medium-duty welding fume extractors because of their portability and compactness. Additionally, these units are appropriate for occasional fabrication and welding operations and confined places like tanks, ship hulls, or hard-to-reach spots. Mobile equipment is the best option if the welding is done at various places. Due to their capacity to eliminate hazardous gases from the working environment, they are a practical and portable solution for metalworking businesses.

Examples of stationary devices include systems like extraction hoods, downdraft tables, and wall-mounted fume extractors. Stationary units are appropriate for workplaces with a permanent location in the production facility. As a space-saving alternative, extraction units installed on walls with exhaust arms do not obstruct welding booths or operate as an obstruction. Self-contained downdraft tables use a blower and filters installed inside the table to draw air into the frame. Self-contained downdraft tables have several benefits, including minimal installation requirements, suitable for both grinding and welding, and a middle price range. However, this system's limitation to bench welding is one of its drawbacks. On the other hand, empty downdraft tables rely on a central dust collector or fume extraction system to draw air down and deeper into the external collector while being ducted and powerless.

Various welding procedures, including shielded metal arc welding (SMAW), inert metal gas (MIG) welding, inert tungsten gas (TIG) welding, and flux-cored arc welding (FCAW), as well as metalworking processes like grinding and plasma cutting, can be carried out using centralized systems. When using a central system, the welding process—often called the source—is used to extract and remove the welding fume, which is then delivered through a duct to a central site for filtration. Due to the production of numerous workstations and large concentrations of hazardous materials, centralized extraction systems are appropriate for high operational requirements.

By Application Analysis

Based on application, the global welding fume extraction equipment market is bifurcated into arc welding, resistance welding, oxy-fuel welding, and laser beam welding.

The arc welding segment owns the highest market share and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.05% over the projected period. One of the often-employed techniques for combining metals is arc welding, which is crucial for creating machinery and building steel buildings. An electric arc is produced between an electrode and the base metal during the arc welding process. The arc's heat melts the welding consumable and base metal to create the weld metal needed to unite structural components. Shielded metal arc welding, gas-shielded metal arc welding, gas tungsten arc welding, self-shielded arc welding, submerged arc welding, plasma arc welding, and electro-gas arc welding are a few examples of different arc welding methods. In the consumable-electrode welding method, the consumable is a filler metal that supplies the deposited metal for the weld and an electrode to form the arc.

In resistance welding, the electrodes on the welding equipment push the two metal pieces to be brought together, ensuring good electrical contact between them. They are heated by an electric current flowing through them, beginning to melt where they are in touch. After the molten metal has passed through the two components, the current is cut off. The molten metal creates a solid metallic bond between the two parts when it hardens. Seam welding, spot welding, flash welding, projection welding, percussion welding, and upset welding are a few examples of different resistance welding procedures. Resistance welding is frequently utilized to produce nuts and bolts in the automotive industry.

Iron and non-ferrous metals, alloy and carbon steels, copper and its alloys, aluminum and its alloys, cast iron, magnesium, and nickel are all joined using oxy-fuel welding. It is utilized in the aerospace and automotive industries and sheet metal fabrication facilities for joining metals. Additionally, it is employed in joining thin metals and other materials that need to be heated and cooled slowly. However, nitrogen oxides are created when oxy-acetylene welding. Nitrogen dioxide is an irritating, corrosive gas that can irritate the eyes and harm the mucosal membrane of the respiratory tract. It can exacerbate the irritating effects of other air pollutants, leading to coughing, bronchitis, shortness of breath, and decreased lung function.

Recent Developments

• September 2022- Miller Electric Mfg. LLC, a leading international producer of arc welding equipment under the Miller® brand, offered ClearLight 2.0 upgraded lens technology for its Digital PerformanceTM, Digital EliteTM, Digital InfinityTM, and T94TM Series welding helmets. To further the enhanced visibility in both light and welding states made possible by the original ClearLight Lens Technology, ClearLight 2.0 was developed. For a clear, high-definition image of the workpiece, ClearLight 2.0 allows more natural, accurate color tones to enter through the lens than conventional lenses that create an artificial blue or yellow tint.
• August 2022- A leading global producer of Miller® brand arc welding equipment, Miller Electric Mfg. LLC partnered with Part Analytics to drive its digital transformation of parts and supply chain operations. Part Analytics is a direct materials supply management platform that uses artificial intelligence to assist global manufacturing companies in reducing costs, identifying hidden risks, and accelerating product development.