Air Starter Market Report

Market Insights

“The global air starter market is expected to grow from USD 455 million in 2024 to USD 590.8 million by 2030, at a healthy CAGR of 4.46% during 2025-2030.”

Market Dynamics

Introduction:

Air starters are mechanical devices used in industries such as mining, aviation, oil and gas, and maritime that use compressed air to start large diesel or gas engines. The air starter plays a crucial role in industries where powerful, reliable, and spark-free engine starting solutions are essential. Unlike electric starters, air starters are ideal for heavy-duty applications due to their ruggedness, small size, and capacity to function safely in hazardous conditions. Moreover, the increase in energy exploration projects, the expansion of international air traffic, and the demand for reliable ignition systems across difficult and distant operating locations have all contributed to the growth of the air starter market.

Market Drivers:

Booming Oil & Gas Industry

The global air starter market is witnessing tremendous growth with the growing oil & gas industry. In the oil & gas sector, air starters are very critical to commence large diesel and gas engines in offshore rigs, refineries, and remote drill sites. Harsh environments demand spark-free, high-strength, and dependable starting systems, and air starters are specifically suited for use in such situations. With increased global energy demand, the need for new exploration projects has grown significantly, thus fostering the demand for robust starting systems.

Growth of the Aviation Industry

The expansion of the aviation sector is largely driving the expansion of the air starter market. In the aviation sector, air starters play a vital role in engine starting in aircraft, providing quick, safe, and efficient ignition. With the rise in air travel and the expansion of airline fleets worldwide, the demand for dependable engine-starting systems is also growing. Moreover, air starters are used in preference to electric starters for aviation applications due to their lightweight, high torque output, and ability to operate in harsh environments.

Market Challenges:

Higher Costs of Air Starters than Electric Starters

The high cost of air starters compared to the electric starters is among the major concerns affecting the growth of this market. Air starters typically require additional components in comparison to electric starters, such as motor-driven compressors, control valves, filters, and piping systems, which collectively raise installation and operational costs. Furthermore, air starters are more costly for several other reasons, such as system complexity, materials utilized, and safety features. This makes air starters less attractive in settings where cost-efficiency is a priority and thus hampers their market growth.

Recent Product Development:  

• In August 2024, Austart launched the ATS203 Engine Air Starter, which is useful in a variety of fields, including industrial, oil and gas, and marine. These starters are made to resist tough conditions and are intended to start large engines efficiently while consuming less air. The ATS203 features a lubrication-free design, reducing downtime and maintenance costs.
• In March 2023, Ingersoll Rand launched the ST2000 Air Starter. This durable and lighter air starter is meant to increase productivity in engines from 15 litres to 150 litres with a power output of 70 hp in a package that weighs 40 pounds. The inline turbine configuration of
  the ST2000 is more protective for both the engine and starter parts, resulting in higher uptime.

Market Segments' Analysis

Market Segments' Analysis

By Type

“The Turbine Air Starters segment is expected to have the largest market share during the forecast period.”

In terms of air starter type analysis, the air starter market is segmented into: turbine air starter, vane air starter, and electric air starter. The turbine air starter segment is expected to have the largest market share during the forecast period, due to its reliability, efficiency, and suitability for high-power applications in various industries. Turbine air starters start the rotation of gas turbine engines until they attain a self-sustaining speed. These devices utilise compressed air to create the required torque to initiate engine operation. These air starters are lighter and more compact than electric starters. Capable of delivering high torque at low speeds, from a lightweight, compact source, necessary for starting big engines and providing reliable engine starts under different environmental conditions. Turbine air starters find application in many industries, such as aviation, marine, and oil and gas, especially for jet engine starts, large reciprocating engine starts, and gas turbine starts. 

By End-Use Industry Type

“Oil & Gas segment will dominate the market with the highest growth rate during the forecast period.”

In terms of end-use industry type, the air starter market is divided into oil & gas, military & aviation, marine, mining, and other end-use industries. The oil & gas industry segment is projected to dominate the air starter market with the highest growth rate during the forecast period, driven by the increasing exploration and production activities, as well as the growing need for dependable and effective starting solutions in challenging operating conditions. In the oil & gas industry, starters are used to initiate the operation of large engines usually installed in drilling rigs, production platforms, and refineries for power generation. They are highly preferred in this industry due to their reliability and safety in comparison with the electric starters. Moreover, oil and gas operations are typically located in harsh and remote conditions where reliability and ruggedness are paramount, hence, air starters are preferred.

Regional Analysis

“Asia-Pacific holds the largest market share, and North America is projected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecasted period.”

In terms of region, the air starter market is segmented into the North American region, the European region, the Asia-Pacific region, and the rest of the world. Driven by the strong economic growth and rapid industrialisation, the Asia-Pacific region accounted for the largest share of the air starter market. Rapid industrialisation demands reliable engine starting systems in various end-use industries. Moreover, the region is witnessing significant growth in different sectors such as oil & gas, mining, and the marine sector, which boosts the demand for air starters.

North America is projected to be the fastest-growing region over the forecasted period, owing to its growing industrial sector and extensive use of heavy equipment and machinery. Furthermore, the region's emphasis on improving operational safety and industrial efficiency will fuel the market expansion. 

Key Players

Most of the major players compete in some of the factors, including price, service offerings, regional presence, etc. The following are the key players in the Air Starter Market -

• Ingersoll Rand
• Caterpillar
• Rheinmetall AG
• Honeywell International Inc.
• Maradyne
• KH Equipment
• Gali
• Spico
• Power Works Ltd.
• Industrial Power Units Ltd.

Note: The above list does not necessarily include all the top players in the market.

Are you the leading player in this market? We would love to include your name. Please write to us at sales@stratviewresearch.com

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence most comprehensively. The report structure has been kept so that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights into market dynamics and will enable strategic decision-making for existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

• Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.
• Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter’s five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.
• Market trend and forecast analysis.
• Market segment trend and forecast.
• Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, Service portfolio, New Product Launches, etc.
• COVID-19 impact and its recovery curve.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

The Air Starter Market is segmented into the following categories.  

Air Starter Market, by Type

• Turbine Air Starter (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Vane Air Starter (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Electric Air Starter (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Air Starter Market, by End-Use Industry Type

• Oil & Gas (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Military & Aviation (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Mining (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Marine (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)
• Other End-Use Industry (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)

Air Starter Market, by Region

• North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)
• Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, Italy, The UK, and Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)
• Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

Research Methodology

• This strategic assessment report from Stratview Research provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s Air Starter market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period. 
• The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner in order to provide a panoramic view of the market.
• The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for market participants and investors in identifying the low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulating growth strategies to expedite their growth process.
• This report offers high-quality insights and is the outcome of a detailed research methodology comprising extensive secondary research, rigorous primary interviews with industry stakeholders, and validation and triangulation with Stratview Research’s internal database and statistical tools.
• More than 1,000 authenticated secondary sources, such as company annual reports, fact books, press releases, journals, investor presentations, white papers, patents, and articles, have been leveraged to gather the data.
• We conducted more than 15 detailed primary interviews with market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Customization Options

With this detailed report, Stratview Research offers one of the following free customization options to our respectable clients:

Company Profiling

• Detailed profiling of additional market players (up to three players)
• SWOT analysis of key players (up to three players)

Competitive Benchmarking

• Benchmarking of key players on the following parameters: Service portfolio, geographical reach, regional presence, and strategic alliances

Custom Research: Stratview Research offers custom research services across industries. In case of any custom research requirement related to market assessment, competitive benchmarking, sourcing and procurement, target screening, and others, please send your inquiry to sales@stratviewresearch.com