Advanced NDT Methods Gain Traction Across Industries

High costs of services and shortage of skilled professionals remain key barriers to broader adoption.

Meticulous Research^®�"a leading global market research company, published a research report titled, by Type (Inspection, Training, Others), Method (Radiographic, Ultrasonic, Others), Application (Flaw Detection, Others), End-use Industry (Oil & Gas, Manufacturing, Others), & Geography - Global Forecast to 2031’.

According to this latest publication from Meticulous Research^®, the non-destructive testing (NDT) services market is projected to reach $18.58 billion by 2031, at a CAGR of 9.4% from 2024 to 2031.  The NDT services market is growing because governments are enforcing safety and quality rules, and many old structures need testing to check their condition. Advanced testing methods are becoming more common in industries, boosting the market. However, NDT services are expensive, which slows down growth. Developing countries investing in infrastructure and companies outsourcing testing offer new chances for market growth. Still, there aren’t enough trained workers, and machines are becoming harder to test. On the bright side, using robots and AI in testing is becoming a big trend. In the global non-destructive testing services space, service types are broadly classified into inspection, training, calibration and evaluation, equipment rental, and consulting. Out of these, inspection services are projected to be the front-runner in 2024. This is mostly due to the growing pressure on manufacturers to maintain product quality at scale. Businesses are also doubling down on capacity building. Take Acuren, for example�"they acquired Suspendem back in 2020 to strengthen their wind turbine inspection capabilities across North America.

Global NDT Services Market Outlook: Key Segments and Growth Drivers in 2024

In the field of industrial testing, one service stands out in 2024 is inspections. It is not surprising�"companies today are under more pressure than ever to check large batches of products quickly and reliably. And it is not just about quantity. The quality must be spot-on too. That is why many are investing in stronger inspection capabilities. Case in point: Acuren’s acquisition of Suspendem back in 2020, which helped them ramp up wind turbine inspections in North America. Of course, inspections come in many forms. You have got the traditional visual checks, sure, but there's also ultrasonic, radiographic, and magnetic testing. These have been around for a while. Now, though, we are seeing more use of advanced systems like phased arrays and digital imaging tools. They are not only faster�"they spot problems you would otherwise miss. But here is something that does not get talked about enough: calibration. It may not sound as exciting, but without it, even the most advanced tools lose their edge. This is where the real growth is happening. As companies adopt more complex methods�"like time-of-flight diffraction or long-range UT�"they also must make sure their gear is dialed in. Calibration ensures those machines give you accurate data, every time. And it is not just about ticking boxes for compliance. Proper calibration helps teams make better decisions. If you are relying on eddy current testing or magnetic flux techniques, the last thing you want is a drift in accuracy. That is why this service category is picking up speed. Across industries, the shift is clear, people want better tools, but they also want confidence in the results. And that only happens when your equipment is working the way it is supposed to�"no surprises.

Why Ultrasonic Testing Still Leads in the Global NDT Services Market

When you look at how testing has done in industrial settings, ultrasonic testing pretty much dominates the scene right now. It is reliable, accurate, and gets the job done, especially when you are checking inside a material�"like the thickness of pipes or spotting internal cracks. In fact, in 2024, it is expected to hold the biggest share in the non-destructive testing services market. That is partly because of how widely it is used, from welding inspections to pipeline evaluations. Take GF Piping Systems in Switzerland. In late 2022, they did not just test plastic welds�"they used ultrasound with smart algorithms to predict how those welds would behave over time. That kind of forward-thinking use is becoming more common. But if there is one segment picking up speed, it is electromagnetic testing. It’s showing the fastest growth, especially in industries like aerospace, where flaw detection is a must. Companies like UniWest are stepping in with innovations like the EddyView II, a new eddy current testing device that hit the market in 2022. Tools like these are helping speed up the process and improve detection accuracy. In a field where small flaws can lead to big problems, both ultrasonic and electromagnetic testing are becoming go-to methods in NDT, NDE, and NDI applications.

Ultrasonic Testing Powers Growth in Global NDT Services Market

When it comes to how NDT services are used, flaw detection remains the top application�"and it is not slowing down anytime soon. Expected to lead the Non-destructive Testing Services Market in 2024, flaw detection is essential for identifying material inconsistencies, especially in industries where safety is non-negotiable. Ultrasonic testing, radiographic testing, and electromagnetic testing are the go-to techniques here, helping catch issues deep within materials that visual inspections cannot reach. Big infrastructure players are paying attention�"like Indian Railways, which recently announced a massive investment to roll out modern ultrasound flaw detection systems. What is more, this segment is set to grow at the fastest rate in the coming years. With equipment under constant pressure from heat, stress, and fatigue, industries are turning to advanced tools like phased array ultrasonic testing, eddy current testing, and automated radiographic testing to spot hidden flaws early. Companies like Eddyfi Technologies are leading this innovation wave with devices like the PAUT flaw detector with TFM, launched in mid-2020 to enhance inspection depth and precision.

NDT in Manufacturing: Driving Safer and Smarter Production

Manufacturing continues to lead the way when it comes to the non-destructive testing services market. In 2024, this industry is expected to hold the largest market share, mainly due to the growing demand for material inspections in automotive and industrial production. Parts like brakes, body panels, and steering systems are critical to safety, which makes radiographic testing and other NDT methods essential tools for manufacturers. What is helping this trend along is the push for better, more precise imaging technology. For example, in May 2023, Nikon’s Industrial Metrology division released the VOXLS 40 C 450, a powerful X-ray CT system that allows companies to inspect components thoroughly�"down to their internal structures. Looking ahead, this segment is also expected to grow the fastest. Why? A few reasons. One is the wider use of computed tomography (CT) and digital radiography, especially in advanced manufacturing. Another is the shift toward additive manufacturing, which requires even more precise inspections. Tools like phased array ultrasonic testing are gaining popularity, helping companies detect flaws early and maintain top-notch quality.

Global NDT Services: Regional Dominance and Growth Outlook

When we talk about the global NDT services market in 2024, it is clear that Asia-Pacific is expected to hold the dominant position. Think of it this way: widespread industrial growth, new power plants coming online, and a boom in oil and gas production in that region are all creating a massive demand for inspection services, especially in the oil and gas sector. That is why it is leading the pack. However, do not overlook the Middle East & Africa. This region is projected to see the highest growth rate, or CAGR, in the coming years. What's driving this? A few key things: their strong global position in oil and gas, government initiatives pushing for more production, the exciting adoption of robots for inspecting all that oil and gas infrastructure, and very strict rules about how these assets must be inspected. All these factors are set to really fuel the NDT services market there. And what exactly are NDT services? They cover a broad range of techniques like Visual Testing, various forms of Ultrasonic Testing (such as Phased Array Ultrasonic Testing and Dry-coupled Ultrasonic Testing), Liquid Penetrant Testing, Radiographic Testing (including both conventional and digital), Electromagnetic Testing (like Eddy Current Testing), Acoustic Emission Testing, Magnetic Particle Testing, and Magnetic Flux Leakage Testing �" often simply referred to as NDT, NDE, or NDI.

Key Players:

Some of the key players operating in the NDT services market are SGS SA (Switzerland), Bureau Veritas (France), DEKRA SE (Sweden), Intertek Group plc (U.K.), TÜV Rheinland (Germany), MISTRAS Group, Inc. (U.S.), TEAM, Inc. (U.S.), Waygate Technologies (Germany), Element Materials Technology (U.K.), Applus Services, S.A. (Spain), TÜV SÜD AG (Germany), Acuren (U.S.), Applied Technical Services, LLC (U.S.), Siemens Energy AG (Germany), PTS Group (U.K.), Vertech Group (Australia), TWI Ltd. (U.K.), NDT Group Inc. (Canada), Axess AS (Norway), Control Union (Netherlands), and Testia (France).

Key Questions Answered in the Report:

What is the projected market size of the Non-destructive Testing (NDT) Services Market by 2031?

Which NDT service type is expected to dominate the market in 2024?

What factors are driving the growth of the global NDT services market?

How is the demand for NDT services evolving across industries like oil & gas and manufacturing?

Which testing method�"ultrasonic, radiographic, or electromagnetic�"holds the largest market share?

What role does flaw detection play in the growth of the NDT services market?

Why is Asia-Pacific leading the global NDT services market?

What is the significance of AI and robotics in the future of NDT services?

How is the adoption of digital radiography and CT impacting NDT inspection processes?

What are the major challenges faced by players in the NDT services industry?

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