North America Abrasives Market Overview
North America Abrasives Market size is forecast to reach US$5,782.6 million by 2026, after growing at a CAGR of 3.2% during 2021-2026. Aluminum Oxides and Silicon Carbide are the most widely used abrasive materials. These synthetic materials account for 80 to 90% of the total amount of abrasive grains manufactured in the United States. The markets for abrasives are affected by industrial activity in the United States as well as general economic patterns. Imports of less costly fused aluminum oxide and silicon carbide, combined with higher domestic production costs and low domestic production volume, continue to make it difficult for North American producers of fused aluminum oxide and silicon carbide to retain market share.
COVID-19 Impact
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, several abrasive manufacturers across North America region had to shut down their production facilities and services as countries adopted partial or absolute lockdown policies to deal with the pandemic. Also, some delays, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and related contingencies, occurred in the production and manufacturing of automotive and aerospace components, which indirectly limited the demand for abrasive manufacturing. However, the demand for abrasive manufacturing was not much affected in the medical & healthcare sector as COVID-19 spread shortages of medical supplies impacted healthcare systems around the world, owing to which the demand for additive manufacturing increased during the pandemic. Due to the pandemic, the market will experience a slowdown in growth in 2020. The abrasives market is expected to be driven by increased abrasive use in the end-use industry later in the forecast period. Thus, the COVID-19 pandemic outlook of the abrasive manufacturing market in 2021 is set to gradually gain momentum.
Report Coverage
The report: “North America Abrasives Market - Forecast (2021-2026)” covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments of the North America Abrasives Industry.
By Material: Natural (Calcite, Diamond, Corundum, Emery, and Others) and Synthetic (Silicon Carbide, Boron Nitride, Aluminum Oxide, Boron Carbide, and Others).
By Product: Coated Abrasives, Bonded Abrasives (Vitreous, Electroplated, Resin Bond, Metal Bonded, Rubber, and Others), Super Abrasives, and Non-woven Abrasives.
By Application: Grinding, Cutting, Polishing, Drilling, Finishing, and Others.
By End Use Industry: Automotive, (Passenger Cars, Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV), and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV)), Aerospace, Medical, Energy (Oil & Gas, Mining, and Wind Turbines), Electronics, Construction, Machinery, Metal Fabrication, Furniture, and Others.
By Region: USA, Canada, and Mexico.
Key Takeaways
- The United States dominates the North America Abrasives market, because of industrialization with a diverse range of heavy, medium, and small-scale industries. The country is well-known for its burgeoning business operations.
- Despite the fact that the construction sector in the United States suffered a hit in 2020 starting from the 2nd quarter, it is predicted to rebound and increase by late 2021, increasing demand for abrasives from the construction sector throughout the forecast period.
- Synthetic abrasive content that outperforms natural emery and flint abrasives in terms of consistency and can be used to replace the highest grades of manufactured emery.
- Furthermore, the development of advanced grinding abrasives is fostering the growth of the grinding abrasives in the overall abrasives market in North America.
North America Abrasives Market Segment Analysis - By Material
Synthetic Abrasive segment held the largest share of 87.5% in the North America Abrasives market in 2020. Synthetic abrasive content that outperforms natural emery and flint abrasives in terms of consistency and can be used to replace the highest grades of manufactured emery. In 2020, Imports, especially from China, where operating costs are lower, have posed a challenge to abrasives manufacturers in the US and Canada. Foreign competition is expected to persist in North America, limiting demand. The average unit values of standard fused aluminium oxide and crude silicon carbide imports during the first six months of 2020 were 6% and 16 percent lower, respectively, than in 2019 and 3% and 5% higher, respectively, than in 2018. The United States Department of Homeland Security classified the synthetic abrasives manufacturing industry as a vital manufacturing field in 2020.
North America Abrasives Market Segment Analysis - By Product
Bonded Abrasive segment held the largest share of 43.5% in the North America Abrasives market in 2020. Abrasive grains, fillers, and bonding materials make up bonded abrasives. Resin, rubber, glass, and other materials may be used as bonding agents. The grains fragment and wear away as the wheel spins against the work piece's surface. A fresh layer of grains is revealed as the top layer wears away. Many advancements have been made in the industry, including the use of new forms of abrasive grain and bonds to improve efficiency. Each product is tailored to a particular finish, cutting speed, and stock removal or cutting needs.
North America Abrasives Market Segment Analysis - By Application
Grinding segment held the largest share of 26.6% in the North America Abrasives market in 2020. Furthermore, the development of advanced grinding abrasives is fostering the growth of the grinding abrasives in the overall abrasives market in North America. In February 2020, United Grinding has partnered with Norton and its parent company, Saint-Gobain S.A, to support manufacturers achieve the highest grinding productivity possible with development of advanced abrasives. With what is known as nano-scale ceramic grain technology, the company has pushed the state of the art in grinding even farther at its Higgins Grinding Technology Center (HGTC) in Northborough, Massachusetts. These grains are not only extremely strong and robust, but they also help manufacturers in difficult areas like aerospace to achieve much greater material removal rates (MRR) in the toughest of materials.
North America Abrasives Market Segment Analysis - By End Use Industry
Metal Fabrication segment held the largest share of 20.2% in the North America Abrasives market in 2020. For instance, Sargent Metal Fabricators Inc., planned to expand operations in South Carolina, United States, with a US$9.5 million investment in July 2020. Such investments are anticipated to augment the demand for abrasives in North America. Bonded abrasive delivers consistent function in cutting and grinding applications. Metal fabrication grinding wheels designed for particular metals and alloys, as well as weld grinding wheels that can be used on steel and a variety of metals and alloys. The rising demand for steel and steel-related products are acting as a driver for the abrasives industry. In the North American region, such as the United States, the steel industry is growing at a rapid pace. From January to August 2018, the monthly steel consumption index in the United States climbed by 3.7 percent year on year during the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).
North America Abrasives Market Segment Analysis - By Region
The United States held the largest share in the North America Abrasives market in 2020 up to 74% in 2020 growing at a CAGR of 3.5% during the forecast period. The construction industry in the United States is one of the largest in the world, with annual revenue of USD 1,306 billion in 2019. The United States is a significant industrialized country with a diverse range of heavy, medium, and small-scale industries. The country is well-known for its burgeoning business operations. According to US Census Bureau, the total Residential housing units authorized by building permits in March 2020 were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,353,000, representing 5% growth over the March 2019 rate of 1,288,000. The total number of privately‐owned housing starts in March 2020 was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,216,000, representing 1.4% growth over the March 2019 rate of 1,199,000. Despite the fact that the construction sector in the United States suffered a hit in 2020 starting from the 2nd quarter, it is predicted to rebound and increase by late 2021, increasing demand for abrasives from the construction sector throughout the forecast period.
North America Abrasives Market - Drivers
The Market is Being Driven by Increasing Adoption from the Automotive and Machinery Industries
The market will expand due to increased product demand from abrasive-material-using industries such as automotive and machinery. Factors such as the increased usage of abrasives materials in a variety of industries, such as metal fabrication, machine maintenance, and mechanical operations, are driving the market.
In the automotive industry, diamond abrasive materials are preferred for crushing and mending to reduce polishing time, improve the external surface, and impart a gleaming look. In the anticipated time period, the rise of the automobile industry is predicted to directly increase the need for abrasive materials. The United States has an extensive network of automotive parts suppliers serving the industry. Motor Vehicle sales in the North America reached 13.37 million units in 2020 followed by the United States (8.82 million), Canada (1.37 million) and Mexico (3.17 million). In terms of car sales and production, the United States is the world's second-largest market. Furthermore, many automakers have engine and transmission plants and undertake R&D, design, and testing in the United States. In the next years, the market is expected to be driven by the rise of such end use sectors, as well as new innovations and changes in the economy.
Adoption of New Technology in Abrasive Manufacturing will Drive the Market
The manufacturing of Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) grits has been facing some challenges in bonding system. The manufacturers are seeking new bonding technology to overcome the demerits in the manufacturing process. To maximize strength, toughness, and wear resistance, the new Cubic Boron Nitride (CBN) grits and a new glass bonding method that utilizes either high-strength glasses or glass-ceramic binding systems are used. Manufacturers have come up with a new technology that can developed these grades. The process offers optimize grinding cycles, high-volume, ultraprecision I.D. and O.D. grinding of ferrous materials, including cast iron, steel, and high-nickel alloys.
North America Abrasives Market - Challenges
Raw Material Price Fluctuations and Strict Government Regulations are Likely to Stifle Market Expansion
Raw material costs continue to be the most pressing challenge for abrasive sectors and manufacturers. Extreme raw material price volatility makes it difficult for abrasive companies to stay competitive and maintain sustainable profitability. Despite the benefits, raw material price instability is expected to limit the demand for the abrasive substance. Additionally, there is a scarcity of raw supplies. Both of these reasons are predicted to limit abrasive output and, as a result, have a negative impact on market growth. Government restrictions on the use of silica abrasives, as well as price changes in raw materials will be impacting the abrasive market in North America. The National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) suggested that silica sand (or other materials containing more than 1% free silica) be banned as an abrasive blasting material in 1974, and that less dangerous alternatives be used instead. In June 2016, the US Government finally codified a law to protect American workers from Silicosis. "OSHA's Final Rule to Protect Workers from Exposure to Respirable Crystalline Silica".
North America Abrasives Market Landscape
Technology launches, acquisitions, and R&D activities are key strategies adopted by players in the North America Abrasives market. Major players in the North America Abrasives market are 3M Company, Saint Gobain S.A, Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., Hermes Schlefmittel Gmbh, Flexovit USA, Inc, Abrasive Technology Inc, Vereinigte Schmirgel-und Maschinen-Fabriken AG (VSM), Radiac Abrasives, A Tyrolit Abrasives, Metabo Gmbh, Grier Abrasive Co., Inc., and Others.
Acquisitions/Technology Launches
- In September 2020, RPM International Inc. acquired Ali Industries, LLC, a leading manufacturer of sandpaper and other abrasives. Gator Finishing Solutions, a division of Ali Industries, is a market-leading innovator of finishing products for power sanding, manual sanding, cutting and grinding, and floor sanding. It’s products have a wide range of applications, including wood, metal, and paint. The acquisition will strengthen the position of RPM International Inc., in the United States into Abrasive business.
Methodology
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