Actuators Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, 2021-2031

The Global Actuators Market is projected to expand from USD 64.84 Billion in 2025 to USD 100.29 Billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 7.54%. Actuators serve as electromechanical or mechanical interfaces designed to transform energy into controlled force or motion for the operation of complex systems. The global market is fundamentally propelled by the increasing integration of industrial automation within manufacturing and the growing need for energy efficiency across the automotive and renewable energy sectors. Furthermore, the continuous expansion of the robotics industry acts as a primary catalyst, generating demand for advanced components necessary for precise articulation.

Highlighting this demand, the International Federation of Robotics reported in 2024 that 542,000 industrial robots were installed globally, indicating a substantial requirement for actuation technologies to support such extensive automated deployment. However, despite these favorable conditions, the industry encounters significant hurdles regarding the volatility of raw material prices. Such cost fluctuations result in supply chain instability and present a considerable challenge that threatens to impede steady market expansion.

Market Drivers

The rapid implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies and industrial automation serves as a foundational pillar for the market, necessitating high-performance actuators for robotic functioning, material handling, and assembly lines. As manufacturers modernize production facilities to improve output and precision, the installed base of automated machinery continues to grow, directly increasing the consumption of electric, hydraulic, and pneumatic actuators. This accumulation of hardware creates a sustained requirement for both new actuation systems and replacement components to maintain operational efficiency in smart factories. According to the International Federation of Robotics' 'World Robotics 2024' report from September 2024, the global operational stock of industrial robots reached a record 4,281,585 units in 2023, underscoring the critical role of actuation in maintaining continuous industrial productivity.

Simultaneously, the surge in electric vehicle production and automotive electrification is reshaping demand, as electric platforms require specialized actuators for aerodynamic control, regenerative braking systems, and thermal management. Unlike traditional internal combustion engines, electric vehicles depend heavily on electromechanical actuation to optimize battery range and manage intricate onboard electronics, shifting procurement trends away from hydraulic variants. According to the International Energy Agency's 'Global EV Outlook 2024' released in April 2024, electric car sales approached 14 million in 2023, registering a 35% year-on-year increase. This transition toward electrified mobility is further supported by broader commitments to sustainable infrastructure, with the IEA projecting global clean energy technology investment to reach USD 2 trillion in 2024, creating an environment where energy-efficient actuation becomes critical for both transportation and utility-scale renewable integration.

Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material prices significantly hampers the Global Actuators Market by destabilizing production costs and eroding profit margins. Actuators rely heavily on metals such as aluminum, steel, and copper for essential components like gears, casings, and motor windings. When the prices of these commodities fluctuate unpredictably, manufacturers struggle to maintain stable pricing structures, often forcing them to absorb increased costs or pass them onto customers. This uncertainty complicates long-term contract negotiations and delays investment in production capacity, directly stalling steady market expansion.

According to the National Association of Manufacturers, in March 2025, 62.3% of manufacturers surveyed cited increased raw material costs as a primary business challenge. This statistical evidence underscores the severity of the issue, as high input costs directly correlate with reduced operational flexibility and financial strain across the industrial sector. Consequently, this financial unpredictability creates a reluctant manufacturing environment, where potential growth is neutralized by the immediate necessity to manage fluctuating supply chain expenditures rather than focusing on output expansion.

Market Trends

The miniaturization of actuators for wearable devices and medical robotics is emerging as a critical trend, diverging from the heavy-load requirements of traditional industrial machinery. This shift demands precise, lightweight systems capable of sub-millimeter movements for prosthetics and minimally invasive surgery. Manufacturers are consequently developing piezoelectric components and micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) that deliver high torque density in confined spaces to support these delicate applications. According to the International Federation of Robotics' 'World Robotics 2024 Service Robots' report from October 2024, sales of medical robots increased by 36% to around 6,100 units in 2023, a surge that accelerates the innovation of micro-actuators ensuring safety and operational accuracy in healthcare environments.

Additionally, the widespread adoption of intelligent actuators with IIoT connectivity is transforming component procurement strategies. Unlike passive devices, these smart actuators utilize integrated sensors to monitor performance metrics like vibration and temperature, enabling autonomous health diagnostics before failure occurs. This evolution allows facility operators to transition from reactive repairs to data-driven proactive maintenance, thereby minimizing costly unplanned downtime in automated facilities. As noted in Rockwell Automation's '9th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report' from March 2024, 95% of manufacturers surveyed are using or evaluating smart manufacturing technology, a notable increase from 84% in 2023. This high rate of technology integration compels suppliers to embed advanced communication protocols and self-diagnostic logic to remain competitive in connected ecosystems.

Key Players Profiled in the Actuators Market

• Eaton Corporation PLC
• The Emerson Electric Company
• Festo AG & Co. KG
• Flowserve Corporation
• Honeywell International Inc.
• KITZ Corporation
• Rotork plc
• SAMSON AG
• Tamagawa Seiki Co. Ltd.
• SMC Corporation.

Report Scope

In this report, the Global Actuators Market has been segmented into the following categories:

Actuators Market, by Motion:

• Linear
• Rotary

Actuators Market, by Type:

• Hydraulic
• Pneumatic
• Electric
• Others

Actuators Market, by End-Use Industry:

• Aerospace & Defense
• Automotive
• Construction
• Chemicals
• Food & Beverages
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
• Marine
• Mining
• Oil & Gas
• Power Generation
• Others

Actuators Market, by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• South America
• Middle East & Africa

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global Actuators Market.

Available Customization

The analyst offers customization according to your specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.