Distress Flare Market Report 2025

The distress flare market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.47 billion in 2024 to $1.58 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing number of commercial and recreational vessels, increasing focus on search and rescue operations efficiency, rising government initiatives to enhance disaster response capabilities, growing demand from offshore oil and gas platforms for safety solutions, and growing use of distress flares in defense and military applications.

The distress flare market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.07 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. Factors contributing to this growth include a surge in demand for safety equipment in maritime environments, heightened awareness about emergency preparedness in coastal communities, increased use of advanced pyrotechnic technologies in emergency signaling, strict regulations mandating safety gear on vessels, and growing investment in safety infrastructure for maritime and aviation operations. Key trends anticipated during this period include enhanced flare brightness due to advanced pyrotechnics, GPS integration for accurate location tracking, development of environmentally friendly flare options, improvements in ignition mechanisms for faster use, and the incorporation of both visual and auditory alert signals.

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 November 2022, Wescom Group, a UK manufacturer of pyrotechnic and safety devices, completed the acquisition of Marine Rescue Technologies Ltd. for an undisclosed sum. With this acquisition, Wescom Group sought to expand its portfolio of maritime safety products by incorporating Marine Rescue Technologies’ expertise in advanced marine safety and man-overboard alert systems. Marine Rescue Technologies is a UK-based provider of safety solutions for maritime emergencies, including distress flares.

Major players 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, and Skyblazer Pyrotechnics Inc.

North America was the largest region in the distress flare market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in distress flare report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa. The countries covered in the distress flare market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

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.

The sharp hike in U.S. tariffs and the associated trade disputes in spring 2025 are notably impacting the aerospace and defense sector by raising costs for titanium, carbon fiber composites, and avionics materials largely sourced from global suppliers. Defense contractors, locked into fixed-price government contracts, absorb these added costs, while commercial aerospace firms face airline pushback on higher aircraft prices. Delays in component shipments due to customs bottlenecks further disrupt tight production schedules for jets and satellites. The industry is responding by stockpiling critical materials, seeking waivers for defense-related imports, and collaborating with allied nations to diversify supply chain.

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 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.

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 and 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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