Market Overview

Based on sales of businesses, the global market size for nondestructive inspection instruments and services was estimated at 3,696,600 million yen in FY2024. Of the total market size, the global inspection instrument market generated 1,204,400 million yen, while the global inspection service market reached 2,492,200 million yen. For FY2025, the total global market is expected to increase to 3,962,100 million yen, 107.2% of the previous fiscal year.

​In Japan, the FY2024 nondestructive inspection market size (instruments and services, which is part of the global market) was estimated at 237,600 million yen based on sales at businesses. The inspection instrument market generated 105,700 million yen, and the inspection service market reached 131,900 million yen. The total nondestructive inspection market in Japan is expected to reach 245,400 million yen in FY2025, 103.3% of the size in the previous fiscal year.

While some nondestructive inspections require only one method, many cases require a combination of multiple inspection methods to fully understand, evaluate, and determine an object's condition. While some inspections align the external and superficial status with the interior conditions of an object, others evaluate an aging part of an object, and some conduct both screening (preliminary testing) and full testing to identify an object's focal point. Since nondestructive inspections aim to maintain and manage objects appropriately, it is important to understand the characteristics and adaptability of each method to operate optimally.

Supply and demand conditions in the global nondestructive inspection market differ considerably by country and region. In emerging or developing countries, where social infrastructure and facilities have recently been constructed or frequently updated, the need for nondestructive inspections is low. Conversely, nondestructive inspections are indispensable in Japan and other developed countries where social infrastructure is well established. Therefore, the nondestructive inspection market is mature. Demand for nondestructive inspection instruments and services grows proportionally to a country's or region's economic size, because the service transactions essentially occur within a country or an economic area.

In Japan, demand for nondestructive inspections has shown moderate growth. Inspections are likely to increase in areas related to nuclear facilities, where operations are expected to resume, as well as in civil engineering and on bridges, where preventive maintenance is valued.

Noteworthy Topics

X-Ray NDT Testing Services Stimulate RT Instrument Purchase Considerations

Radiographic testing (RT)-related X-ray imaging services have become popular in Japan. However, because RT instruments require heavy costs for initial deployment, maintenance, and operations, it is difficult for companies to own and utilize them in-house. Therefore, RT-related X-ray imaging services are useful for user companies. The objects imaged are not limited to industrial products, but include diverse items, such as food. By visualizing the internal structure of various items through X-ray imaging, it is possible to identify the cause of problems and to improve product quality. As these X-ray imaging services become more widely used, their value will become more apparent. In the future, companies may consider purchasing RT instruments, which could increase the number of RT instrument owners.

Future Outlook

The global market size for nondestructive inspection instruments and services, based on business sales, is expected to reach 6,176.6 billion yen by FY2032. Of this total, the global market for inspection instruments is projected to reach 2,265.6 billion yen, while the global market for inspection services is projected to reach 3,911.0 billion yen. The nondestructive inspection instrument and service market in Japan (part of the global market) is projected to reach 294.5 billion yen by FY2032 (instruments: 158.4 billion yen, services: 136.1 billion yen).

While recent trends in AI and IoT deployments and digitalization have advanced the hardware for nondestructive inspection instruments, new inspection principles must be developed in the medium to long term. Meanwhile, evolution in software has been more notable than in hardware, especially regarding inspection data analysis and analytical capabilities. AI-powered nondestructive inspection systems have also become prevalent.

Demand for nondestructive inspection services remains stable as these services are conducted on social infrastructure and facilities in accordance with laws and regulations in each country. Although demand for these services may be somewhat affected by changes in industrial structures, no significant changes have been observed thus far. The market is expected to grow steadily due to the robust demand for inspecting aging social infrastructure and facilities, primarily in advanced countries. 

Research Outline