The global non-destructive testing market for the infrastructure industry was valued at USD 35.3 billion in 2020, and it is projected to be worth USD 51.46 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 6.2% during the period 2021-2026.
Countries are increasingly focusing on the inspection of commercial and residential buildings. Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) is currently growing in importance because of the cost advantages. It is increasingly being used for bridge and tunnel inspections, roadway investigations and to ensure properly compacted asphalt on roads. Using the GPR technology, Kentucky Transportation Center, United States found out the location of large voids in Cumberland Gap Tunnel, which links Kentucky and Tennessee. It was also able to significantly reduce the repair costs by using GPR, to confirm that no voids needed to be fixed on one end of the tunnel.

- Further, stringent regulations mandating safety standards in the infrastructure industry drives the market. NDT plays a crucial role in building clearances from concerned authorities for infrastructural projects that include structural strength evaluation, fire safety, emergency protocol compliance tests, etc.

- The International Code Council (ICC), which engages in the formulation of safety measures, introduced a set of model building codes known as International Codes. These codes were devised for use in the United States, but they are also widely employed in other regions. The ICC 1704 standard mandates the need for gaining NDT certification in the welding category to ensure structural integrity. However, in the United States, regional bodies are given autonomy for framing their own technical and industrial standards.

- Growth in infrastructure maintenance services​ drives the market. The emerging countries such as India and Brazil, among others, are witnessing significant investments in the maintenance of their critical infrastructure, such as in railway, roadway, and water lines, among others, that are significantly aged.
Indian Railway is one of the largest transportation networks in the world and forms the backbone of the Indian economy and infrastructural development that possesses a large fleet of locomotives, coaches, wagons, and a staggering 119724 bridges over a vast network of 62495 route km. To carry out proper maintenance, the Indian Railway is using non-destructive testing, such as ultrasonic testing.

- However, the restrictions imposed by governments to contain the COVID-19 outbreak started having a massive impact on multiple businesses. For example, multiple project engineers have been reporting that construction sites are freezing. As a result, many assembly workers are now returning to their home countries because the work has been suspended, affecting large-scale projects. Since NDT plays a crucial role in the construction industry, there may be a decline in demand for testing solutions.

- According to Hanley Wood, the number of states limiting the construction industry due to COVID-19 in the United States accounted for 45. Also, according to Cielo (Brazil), the change in construction materials retail sales in Brazil witnessed -59.7% in the month of March. Thus, the decline in the growth of the construction industry has reduced the demand for NDT activities that, in turn, are impacting market growth.

Key Market Trends

Railway Sector to Witness Significant Market Growth

- The regular and sound diagnostics, coupled with the timely detection of rail defects at early stages, are key elements of the railway transport management system. NDT methods such as ultrasonic testing and eddy-current testing, are gaining widespread prevalence in railway infrastructure for the detection of rail defects, such as transverse cracks, head checks, squats, and other internal defects.

- In March 2020, Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP) in India ramped up its production facilities to meet the Indian Railways’ requirement of running high-speed trains, metro trains, doubling and gauge conversion of railway tracks, as well as for track renewals and laying of new lines. The plant produced 11.65 lakh metric tons of rails in the financial year 2019-2020. The plant is equipped with online NDT (non-destructive testing) equipment, ultrasonic, and eddy-current testing, among other technologies for inspection and testing of the produced rails.
- Further, the EU is planning to invest approximately EUR 117 million in 39 key transport projects, majorly focusing on sustainable transport modes. The projects aim to reduce the noise generated by freight trains, develop and improve cross-border railway links, and upgrade crucial infrastructure in ports. They will be supported through the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF), the EU's financial mechanism supporting transport infrastructure. Such initiatives by the government are expected to increase the demand for NDT services in the region.​
- According to the data provided by Eurostat, in 2018, there were approximately 1,666 significant railway accidents, out of which half of the accidents involved unauthorized persons on the tracks (56%), and more than a quarter occurred at level crossings (27%). Such trends are expected to increase the adoption of NDT in the railway's infrastructure as it helps in maintaining their integrity and operational safety.​

Asia-Pacific Accounts for Significant Market Share

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- The Asia-Pacific region’s strong presence in the industrial sector and rapid advancements in infrastructure projects is anticipated to provide significant growth opportunities to nondestructive testing services in the market. Specifically, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Singapore, and Australia are expected to create huge potential for the nondestructive market for infrastructure industry solutions in the coming years.

- As a developed country, New Zealand had spent EUR 993 million for road infrastructure maintenance in 2017 and is expected to spend even more in the coming years. Also, with massive development plans, India is anticipated to reach new heights in infrastructure development and will become the third-largest market for the construction industry by 2022.

- Further, the IBEF report states that India requires an investment of up to USD 777.73 billion in infrastructure development by 2022 to foster sustainable development in the country. Hence, such growing trends and increasing investments in these countries is expected to create several opportunities for the adoption of NDT services in the region over the forecast period.

- Moreover, over the past few years, the construction industry in China witnessed a huge growth rate due to sustainable construction policies and a shift toward a service-led economy. Moreover, according to the International Trade Administration, the value of the construction industry in China is likely to increase by 45.2%, by 2021, from what it was in 2016. The growth of the construction industry is expected to create potential opportunities for the growth of the market.

Competitive Landscape

The non-destructive testing market for the infrastructure industry is fragmented in nature. In the market studied, the competitive rivalry between various firms is dependent on price, product, or market share, along with the intensity with which they compete in the market. Sustainable competitive advantage can be gained through innovation. Market incumbents have been adopting powerful competitive strategies based on product differentiation, market expansion, and mergers and acquisition activities. Key players are SGS SAAcuren Group Inc., and others. Recent developments in the market are -

- August 2020 - SGS announced the acquisition of Groupe Moreau, headquartered in Indre-et-Loire, France. The acquisition comprises B.C.L. Controle Technique, A.S.M. Controle Technique, and Controle Technique RIALTO - C.T.R. This acquisition is expected to consolidate SGS’s market-leading position in vehicle inspection services in France.
- June 2020 - Acuren Inc. announced the acquisition of Suspendem, a leading provider of wind turbine maintenance and inspection services in North America. The acquisition combines Acuren’s substantial experience and capacity in rope access, NDT and engineering with Suspendem’s specialized expertise in wind turbine services to provide a comprehensive solution to the wind industry.

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