Process equipment market seen hitting $116.47 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company says the global process equipment market will grow from $77.38 billion in 2025 to $116.47 billion by 2030 as automation, plant upgrades and industrial expansion drive demand. North America led the market in 2025, while Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region.

Why it matters: - Process equipment sits at the center of manufacturing, refining and chemical production. - Faster demand for modern plants, automation and reliable output is pushing buyers toward upgraded systems. - The market outlook signals continued spending on industrial capacity across mature and emerging economies.

What happened: - The Business Research Company projected the global process equipment market will rise from $77.38 billion in 2025 to $83.83 billion in 2026. - The firm expects the market to reach $116.47 billion by 2030. - The forecast implies an 8.3% CAGR from 2025 to 2026 and an 8.6% CAGR through 2030. - North America held the largest market share in 2025. - Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.

The details: - Process equipment includes machinery and vessels used to drive physical or chemical changes in materials. - The category covers reactors, heat exchangers, distillation columns, storage tanks and related production systems. - Growth in recent years has been tied to industrialization, higher oil and gas refining capacity, more chemical and petrochemical plants, capital spending on heavy infrastructure, broader use of batch and continuous manufacturing, and more EPC project activity. - The company identified replacement of outdated equipment, modular and prefabricated plant construction, reliability priorities, and manufacturing expansion in emerging markets as key supports for future growth. - The report also points to modular skid-mounted equipment, corrosion-resistant alloy materials, brownfield refurbishments, high-pressure and high-temperature systems, and a mix of standardization and customization in EPC design as major trends. - Automation is another demand driver. - Industrial robots operating worldwide reached 4,281,585 units in September 2024, up 10% year over year, according to the International Federation of Robotics. - The report covers Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, the Middle East and Africa. - The 2026 report package includes market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics and tables, Excel-based forecasting dashboards, market hotspots infographics, key technology analysis, future trend analysis, and updated graphics and tables. - The company published a free sample report and a full report online: Download the sample report and View the full market report.

Between the lines: - The forecast suggests industrial buyers are shifting from one-time equipment purchases to longer-term investments in uptime, efficiency and plant flexibility. - Modular and prefabricated systems point to pressure for faster deployment and lower project risk. - The emphasis on corrosion resistance and high-pressure applications suggests stronger demand from harsh operating environments such as chemicals, refining and heavy industry.

What's next: - The market is expected to keep expanding through 2030 as manufacturers replace aging equipment and scale new facilities. - Asia-Pacific's growth trajectory could narrow the gap with North America if industrial buildouts continue at the projected pace. - EPC suppliers and equipment makers are likely to keep prioritizing standardized, customizable and modular offerings.