Distress Flare Market Report 2026

The distress flare market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.58 billion in 2025 to $1.69 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of distress flares across maritime sectors to meet mandatory safety regulations, rising use of handheld and parachute flares in aviation and outdoor rescue operations, development of multi-star and rocket flares offering extended visibility ranges, expansion of commercial shipping and boating activities driving flare consumption, advancements in flare composition improving burn time and signal brightness.

The distress flare market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.21 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing shift toward electronic flares as safer, longer-lasting distress signaling alternatives, rising demand for environmentally friendly flare technologies reducing hazardous materials, expansion of global maritime safety compliance driving replacement and upgrade cycles, increasing integration of flares with digital tracking or alert systems for enhanced rescue coordination, development of advanced aerial flare systems offering improved visibility in extreme weather conditions. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of electronic and led-based flares, growing demand for long-duration visibility flares, higher regulatory emphasis on mandatory distress equipment, expansion of multi-signal flare systems, rising use of compact lightweight signaling devices.

The increase in maritime activities and defense expenditure is expected to propel the growth of the distress flare market going forward. Maritime activities and defense expenditure refer to a nation’s spending and operations focused on naval forces and maritime security to protect territorial waters and ensure national defense. Increasing geopolitical tensions in strategic sea regions drive higher maritime activities and defense expenditures to secure territorial claims and protect vital trade routes. Distress flares enhance maritime activities and defense by providing a reliable signaling method for emergencies, improving safety, and enabling rapid rescue operations in naval and maritime missions. For instance, in April 2024, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), a Sweden-based non-government organization, in 2023, global military spending reached $2.44 trillion, up 6.8% in real terms from 2022. Therefore, the increase in maritime activities and defense expenditure is driving the growth of the distress flare market.

Major companies in the distress flare market are concentrating on producing technologically advanced solutions, including electronic visual distress signaling devices, which aim to increase safety, reliability, and visibility. These electronic devices utilize LED or strobe lighting to deliver emergency signals that are safer, longer-lasting, and highly visible, without the hazards linked to conventional flares. For example, in November 2024, UK-based Ocean Signal Ltd. introduced the rescueME EDF2, an innovative distress signaling product offering an eco-conscious, safe, and reusable substitute for traditional pyrotechnic flares. The EDF2 improves maritime safety by delivering strong visibility, extended operating time, and compatibility with night vision gear, significantly boosting rescue chances during sea emergencies.

In February 2024, Wescom Group, a UK-based manufacturing company, acquired Eflare Corporation Pty Ltd for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Wescom Group seeks to strengthen its signaling capabilities, expand into electronic safety and perimeter lighting technologies, and accelerate growth by enhancing its current portfolio of safety and survival products. Eflare Corporation Pty Ltd is an Australia-based safety technology company specializing in electronic perimeter and safety lighting solutions rather than distress flares.

Major companies operating in the distress flare market are Olin Corporation, Chemring Marine Limited, Comet GmbH, Survitec Group Ltd, Orion Safety Products LLC, Drew Marine Inc., Greatland Laser LLC, Lacroix Defense SAS, Pains Wessex Ltd, Hansson PyroTech AB, Revere Survival Inc., Albatross SRL, Ikaros Marine Safety Ltd, Sirius Signal LLC, Weems & Plath, Daniamant A/S, LHR Marine Ltd, Odeo S.A., Pirotecnia Lecea S.A., SeaCurity GmbH, Skyblazer Pyrotechnics Inc.

North America was the largest region in the distress flare market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the distress flare market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs on pyrotechnic chemicals, electronic components, and metal casings have increased production costs for distress flares, particularly affecting manufacturers relying on imported materials. These tariffs disrupt supply chains for both localization-enabled and traditional flares, slowing procurement in marine and aviation sectors. However, they also encourage domestic manufacturing and innovation in electronic flare alternatives, reducing long-term import dependency.

The distress flare market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides distress flare market statistics, including the distress flare industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with the distress flare market share, detailed distress flare market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the distress flare market. This distress flare market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

A distress flare is a type of signaling tool used to attract attention during emergency situations by emitting a strong light or smoke. It is extensively utilized in sectors such as maritime, aviation, and outdoor activities to signal danger and request assistance. These flares play a vital role in aiding rescuers in locating individuals or vessels at risk. They are critical for improving visibility and coordination during rescue efforts.

Distress flares are primarily categorized into two types - those equipped with localization systems and those without. The flares integrated with localization systems operate in conjunction with electronic tracking technologies, including GPS, AIS, or other positioning mechanisms. These flares are applied in marine, aircraft, and other industries, serving a variety of end users such as commercial operations, government and defense bodies, recreational users, emergency responders, and the oil and gas sector.

The countries covered in the distress flare market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The distress flare market consists of sales of parachute flares, handheld flares, smoke flares, rocket flares, multi-star flares, electronic flares, and aerial flares. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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