The increasing construction activities across the globe have proven to be a major factor pushing the growth of the sandblasting media market. Technological advancements in products, along with the growing need for sandblasting in the automotive and metalworking sectors, are positively influencing this business. Additionally, the availability of a broad range of media is extending the application scope of the technology in varied industries.
While conventionally, sandblasting has only utilized sand, the dangers of inhaling fine sand in the blasting process pose severe health risks to the operator. Thus, sandblasting operators are opting for less harmful abrasives for the process. Sandblasting or abrasive blasting media affect the success of the process. These media are assessed based on numerous properties, including hardness, strength, shape, and density.
Most abrasive media are available in several particle sizes according to the required surface finish. Aluminum oxide, for instance, is a hard, durable, and tough medium that can be recycled and reused multiple times. Rising climate consciousness has bolstered the need for more environmentally friendly materials, thereby enhancing industry dynamics.
The sandblasting media market size is projected to reach a valuation of around $14.8 billion by the end of 2027, as per a research report by Global Market Insights Inc. Some notable trends that are augmenting market progress have been discussed hereunder.
- Increasing preference for sandblasting over chemical methods
Sandblasting has found extensive usage in various applications due to its numerous advantages. A major benefit of the technique is that the media employed are inert and thus, do not have any chemical reactions to the material that is being cleaned. Other methods that use chemical cleaners involve the risk of potential reactions and damage to the material.
Additionally, these effects may not be visible immediately, becoming evident after the surface has been coated. To fix this, the surface needs to be restriped and coated again, which increases the cost of the entire process. Some other benefits of sandblasting or abrasive blasting are eco-friendliness, efficiency, operator safety, efficacy, and so forth. As a result, rising demand for sandblasting is playing a critical role in sandblasting media market growth.
2 . Growing adoption in automotive industry
In the automotive industry, sandblasting is widely used for different purposes, which fuels the uptake of diverse media in the sector. One of these media is walnut shells. Walnut blasting entails cleaning the inlet valves & manifold of the engine of a vehicle using a high-pressure air blast containing finely crushed walnut shells, which are biodegradable.
The process helps clear out carbon buildup on older GDI (gasoline direct injection) engines, improving the car’s performance. Since these kinds of buildup are commonly seen in GDI engines, they need periodic cleaning. The walnut process of intake valve cleaning is popular among luxury car owners. Widespread use of walnut blasting in the automotive industry is boosting overall business expansion. The sandblasting media industry size from the walnut shell segment is estimated to depict an appreciable CAGR through 2027.
3 . Rising demand in construction sector
In the construction industry, sandblasting is preferred by experts for shaping or stripping a smooth surface off a material, which can be challenging, especially on corners. When surfaces have been painted for a long time or have multiple coatings, even with the use of a chemical stripper, some of the paint can remain. Sandblasting media for paint removal works on all surfaces and is less laborious although the process achieves the results in lesser time.
The method is ideal for dealing with crannies and nooks. Sandblasting is also beneficial for removing paint from metal surfaces since it eliminates dust, grease, and other coatings. The use of sandblasting media for rust removal targets the oxidation of the steel and prevents rust from forming quickly. This makes the surface easy to paint and prevents the paint from chipping, leading to unnecessary expenses. Sandblasting can be used on various surfaces, including brick, concrete, wood, and cast iron, which is impelling product demand in the construction sector.
4 . Advent of novel technologies
Sandblasting media suppliers have seen an emergence of innovative methods in the sector supported by the integration of advanced technologies into the sandblasting technique. One such example is robotic blasting. This revolutionary process is used for stripping, preparing, cleaning, and/or finishing metal surfaces efficiently, accurately, and safely.
An automated blasting system keeps the operator out of the blasting environment, removing them from harm’s way while enabling continuous operations to optimize productivity and uptime. Remote-controlled systems also allow for adjustments in the nozzle’s path and speed. These systems also include a media reclaimer and dust collector that gather airborne particles and support the recycling of blasted abrasives. Such cutting-edge technologies have a broad range of applications across different sectors, which is fostering product outlook.
Final thoughts
Using the right medium based on the surface is important for the process to be work, which has increased consumer interest in sandblasting media. Based on the material, different media are adopted in order to effectively clean, strip, or shape surfaces for different purposes.
Moreover, technological developments in the sector, coupled with growing emphasis on the adoption of eco-friendly media, have enhanced the product landscape of the industry. Burgeoning demand for innovative, safe, automated, and efficient media is slated to drive sandblasting media industry growth considerably in the forecast period.
