Market Insights

Metal bellows are a type of flexible seals used in pipe joints. These bellows help in mitigating movement caused by thermal fluctuation, equipment movement, and vibration or pressure pulsation by converting movement into linear or rotational motion in any piping system. They also reduce the chances of leakage of any fluid or pressure in pipe joints. The performance of bellows depends on several factors including the type of raw material used and its properties, design factor, manufacturing process, etc. Metal bellows are used in diverse applications ranging from aerospace & defense to pharmaceutical, industrial automation, semiconductor manufacturing, solar power generation, water & wastewater treatment plant, and oil & gas industries.

Covid-19 Impact

The demand for metal bellows is highly subjected to the health of the major markets/industries where these bellows are used. Aerospace & defense and automotive, the two largest markets for metal bellows, were already under immense pressure and were struggling hard to rebound their demand. Several industry-specific regional factors were behind the truncated industry growth or decline. The outbreak of COVID-19 further exacerbated their challenges to an unprecedented level.

For instance, in 2019, the grounding of B737 Max; delays in the entries of upcoming aircraft programs such as B777X; and revised production rates of key aircraft programs; negatively impacted the entire supply chain including the demand for metal bellows, especially in the North American market. The industry challenges further deepened with the outbreak of the pandemic because of that there was a massive blow in the deliveries of commercial aircraft.

The impact of such trends was quite visible on the sales of metal bellows in those industries. Overall, the metal bellows market witnessed a massive double-digit decline in 2020, creating a lag of 4 to 5 years. The market is expected to witness a strong come-back from 2021 onwards, followed by sequential growth in succeeding years, helping the industry stakeholders to reach the landmark figure of US$ 1.0 billion by 2026.

Segments' Analysis

Metal Bellows Market Share by Material Type

The metal bellows market is segmented based on the material type as titanium alloys, stainless steel alloys, nickel alloys, and others. Titanium alloys are likely to remain the most dominant material type and are likely to witness the highest growth over the next five years. Growing composites content in the aerospace industry supported by excellent compatibility of titanium with composites, increasing penetration of lightweight materials, growing usage of titanium alloys in the high-end cars to reduce weight and to gain high strength, and desirable properties of titanium concerning corrosion resistance and thermal expansion are some of the factors behind the superior growth of titanium alloys in the market.

Metal Bellows Market Share by Product Type

Based on the product type, the market is segmented as edge-welded bellows, mechanically formed bellows, electroformed bellows, and others. Edge-welded bellow is likely to remain the most dominant product type and is likely to register an excellent CAGR during the forecast period, whereas mechanically formed bellow is likely to remain the second-largest product type over the same period. Edge-welded bellows are preferred for high-temperature applications, such as aircraft engines, semiconductor manufacturing equipment, oil & gas instruments, and medical device.

Metal Bellows Market Share by End-use Industry

Based on the end-use industry, the market is segmented as aerospace & defense, automotive, oil & gas, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and others. Aerospace & defense is likely to remain the most dominant segment over the next five years. Despite a collapse in commercial aircraft deliveries in 2020 in the wake of the COVID-19, the long-term scenario seems fruitful backed by strong industry fundamentals. Furthermore, the returning in service of B737Max, entry of new programs (C919, B777x, and MC-21), and an expected recovery in the production rates of A320 and B737 programs in the commercial aerospace business assure a speedy recovery.

Regional Insights

In terms of region, Asia-Pacific is projected to remain the largest and fastest-growing market for metal bellows during the forecast period. China and Japan are the major markets of the region. North America and Europe are also projected to generate a sizeable demand for metal bellows during the forecast period. The USA is the growth engine of the North American metal bellows market. The country is the hub for the aerospace industry with the presence of several aircraft OEMs, metal bellow suppliers, and raw material suppliers. Similarly, Germany, France, the UK, and Russia are the major markets in Europe.

Market Scope & Segmentation

The metal bellows market is segmented into the following categories.

Metal Bellows Market Size, Share & Forecast Analysis, By Material Type

• Titanium Alloys (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Stainless-Steel Alloys (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Nickel Alloys (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Metal Bellows Market Size, Share & Forecast Analysis, By Product Type

• Edge-Welded Bellows (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Mechanically Formed Bellows (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Electroformed Bellows (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Metal Bellows Market Size, Share & Forecast Analysis, By End-Use Industry Type

• Aerospace & Defense (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Automotive (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Oil & Gas (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Semiconductor (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Pharmaceutical (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)
• Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Metal Bellows Market Size, Share & Forecast Analysis, By Region

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

Key Players

The supply chain of this market comprises raw material suppliers, metal bellow manufacturers, tier players, and end-users/OEMs.

The key players in the market are-

• Senior Plc.
• Freudenberg Group (EagleBurgmann)
• Eaton Corporation Inc.
• EnPro Industries
• U.S. Bellows, Inc.
• Meggitt Plc
• ASSEAL plc
• Smith Group Plc (John Crane)
• Witzenmann GmbH
• MW Industries, Inc.

Execution of mergers & acquisitions and the formation of collaboration with OEMs for the joint development of metal bellows are some of the strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market.                                     

Research Methodology

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 15 detailed primary interviews with the market players across the value chain in all four regions and industry experts to obtain both qualitative and quantitative insights.

Report Features

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today’s metal bellows market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. The report estimates the short- and long-term repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic on the demand for metal bellows market at the global, regional, and country-level. Also, the report provides the possible loss that the industry will register by comparing pre-COVID and post-COVID scenarios. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants and investors in the identification of low-hanging fruits available in the market and formulate growth strategies to expedite their growth process. 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, product portfolio, product launches, etc.
• Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.
• Emerging trends.
• Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.
• Key success factors.

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 key market players (up to 3 players)
• SWOT analysis of key market players (up to 3 players)

Market Segmentation

• Current market segmentation of any one of the material types by end-use industry type.

Competitive Benchmarking

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

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