INDUSTRIAL BURNER MARKET ANALYSIS

Industrial Burner Market Size and Trends

The industrial burner market is estimated to be valued at US$ 8.72 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 11.89 billion by 2031, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.5% from 2024 to 2031.

Discover market dynamics shaping the industry request sample copy

The market is driven by growing demand for energy-efficient and low emission burners across various process industries. Strict environmental regulations regarding emission levels of industrial burners are compelling manufacturers to develop advanced burner technologies. Adoption of internet of things (IoT) and automation in industrial burners allows remote monitoring and optimizes burner performance. Integration of burner management systems and industrial internet of things (IIoT) solutions aid real-time data collection and analysis. However, availability of substitutes and high investment costs associated with retrofitting existing systems can hamper the market growth.

Growth in Process and Utilities Industries

The process and utilities industries have seen steady growth over the past few years and this growth is expected to continue going forward. These industries utilize burners extensively in their manufacturing and production processes for various applications such as steam production, process heating, catalytic cracking, etc. The oil and gas industry in particular has been expanding production and has numerous offshore and onshore facilities that require industrial burners for generating heat and power. Growing natural gas exploration and production activities are increasing the demand for burner systems in gas processing plants, LNG terminals, petrochemical units, and refineries.

Utilities such as power plants also use various types of industrial burners for processes like thermal oxidizers, fired heaters and boilers. With growing populations and rapid urbanization in developing economies, the need for power generation and treated water is on the rise which is propelling the growth of utilities. Furthermore, stricter environmental regulations for emission control are making industrial burners more sophisticated with advanced combustion and monitoring technologies. This is encouraging utilities and process facilities to replace or retrofit older burner systems with modern efficient models. The chemical industry is another prominent end-user where synthetic fuel production, polymer processing and fertilizer manufacturing involve the extensive use of industrial burners. Rising chemical demand from the agriculture, construction and automotive sectors is positively impacting chemical production volumes.

In July 2021, ANDRITZ completed the acquisition of Enviroburners Oy, a Finnish company specializing in the production of advanced industrial heating equipment solutions for both energy generation and environmental preservation. This strategic move opens up avenues for growth, particularly in environmental protection applications involving the combustion of hazardous materials to generate new raw materials.

Market Concentration and Competitive Landscape

Get actionable strategies to beat competition: Get instant access to report

Need for Energy Efficient and Low Emission Burner Systems

With increasing environmental awareness and carbon footprint reduction becoming a global priority, industries are under pressure to optimize energy usage and lower harmful emissions from their operations. Industrial burners account for sizable greenhouse gas emissions and pollutants released into the atmosphere if not designed and operated properly. Stringent norms by environmental agencies regarding emission standards for NOx, CO and other regulated pollutants have necessitated modifications to existing burner technologies. This growing regulatory emphasis on cleaner combustion is driving the replacement of antiquated industrial burner models with modern low NOx variants. Advanced burner management systems with automated process control and real-time combustion monitoring are also gaining traction.

Moreover, rising energy costs and a need to improve process efficiencies have prompted industries to invest in high turndown burners featuring multi-fuel capabilities. Dual fuel and tri-fuel burners allow users flexibility to switch between alternate fuels based on operational requirements and market availability which enhances energy security. The capability to smoothly modulate flame over a wide turndown range helps optimize fuel-air.

For instance, in July 2021, Tenova unveiled its latest burners designed for heat treatment furnaces. These burners utilize a maximum of 100% hydrogen while significantly reducing NOx emissions to meet strict regulatory standards. This innovation reflects Tenova's commitment to spearheading the transition towards decarbonized industrial production.

Key Takeaways of Analyst:

The industrial burner market is poised to grow at a steady pace over the next five years. The market is driven by factors such as increasing demand for energy-efficient burners from various process industries. Stringent regulations regarding emission levels from industrial burners are also compelling manufacturers to develop innovative burner designs with improved combustion efficiency. However, volatility in raw material prices may hamper market growth.

Asia Pacific dominates the global industrial burner market and is expected to maintain its leading position during the forecast period. This is attributed to growing industrial activities, rising energy needs, and emerging economies in the region ramping up investments toward industrial infrastructure development. Within Asia Pacific, China is likely to continue accounting for a major chunk of demand.

Manufacturers should capitalize on opportunities arising from the shift toward renewable and cleaner energy sources. There is scope for burners compatible with gaseous and liquid fuels obtained from biomass and waste streams. Reducing NOx emissions through low-NOx burner designs will also be a key focus area. In addition, the aftermarket segment will steadily gain traction as maintenance and replacement of existing burners gain importance.

In light of stringent emission norms, industrial players are likely to prioritize efficiency and compliance over short-term costs. This will drive the demand for technologically advanced combustion systems and foster innovation in burner design.

Market Challenge: Rising Compliance and Operational Costs

Strict environmental regulations on carbon emissions have significantly increased compliance costs for manufacturers. Companies must invest in new technologies and processes to meet these stringent standards. Additionally, switching to alternative low-carbon fuels often necessitates costly modifications to existing burner designs. These operational expenses can strain budgets and reduce overall profitability.

Market Opportunities: Development of Multi-Fuel Burners

The shift towards reducing emissions has created a significant market for multi-fuel burners. Manufacturers who develop burners capable of efficiently using hydrogen, biofuels, and other low-carbon fuels can capture a broad customer base. These versatile burners appeal to industries aiming to lower their carbon footprints without overhauling their entire system, making them highly attractive in a market focused on sustainability.

Discover high revenue pocket segments and roadmap to it: Get instant access to report

In terms of fuel type, oil-Based segment dominates the market owing to reliability and cost-effectiveness

In terms of fuel type, oil-based is expected to contribute the highest share of 45.7% in 2024. The market continues to be most preferred fuel type for industrial burners owning to its reliability and cost benefits over alternate fuels. Oil remains a very stable fuel source that is not prone to supply disruptions like gas. This gives oil-based burners higher reliability and uptime. Additionally, the infrastructure for oil storage and transportation is well-established globally. This ensures easy and consistent availability of fuel for oil burners.

Oil is also more cost-effective for industries compared to gas, especially in areas without gas pipeline connectivity. While gas prices are volatile and subject to transmission and distribution costs, oil prices are relatively stable. Industries can better predict operating costs with oil and avoid uncertainties from fluctuating gas prices. Oil burner systems also have lower installation costs compared to dual fuel systems as only oil storage tanks are needed rather than separate fuel lines for gas. Overall total costs of ownership tend to be lower for oil burners.

These reliable and predictable cost benefits have made oil the preferred fuel for mission critical and continuous process applications. Oil burners are widely used across sectors like power generation, petrochemicals, metals and heavy manufacturing where interruptions cannot be afforded. Once installed, industries prefer not changing to other fuels due to high switching costs. This loyal customer base ensures oil burners will continue dominating in the foreseeable future.

In terms of burner type, regenerative burners segment dominates the market owing to reliability and cost-effectiveness

In terms of burner type, regenerative burners is expected to contribute the highest share of 34.2% in 2024. Regenerative burners use a unique ceramic matrix design that stores heat from combustion gases and recirculates it to preheat incoming combustion air. This enables regenerative burners to achieve higher combustion efficiencies compared to other burner types.

The higher efficiencies allow regenerative burners to support a wide range of heating capacities simply by adjusting air and fuel flow rates. This makes them suitable for both boilers and process heating applications across industries. They can also efficiently use different fuels like oil, gas and biomass depending on availability. The ability to flexibly switch between fuels is a key advantage, especially in fragmented supply areas.

Regenerative burners also reduce energy costs through their high efficiencies. Industries seeking to optimize boiler and heating operations are increasingly adopting them to lower fuel consumption. Their modular design with common replacement parts also lowers maintenance costs compared to custom burners.

Backed by their versatility across applications as well as fuels, regenerative burners have become the burner of choice for multi-fuel, multi-application industrial heating needs. This is driving their increased usage over other specialized burner types.

In terms of operating temperature, high temperature (> 1400F) segment dominates the market owing to reliability and cost-effectiveness

In terms of operating temperature, the high temperature (>1400F) segment is expected to contribute the highest share of 64.6% in 2024 owing to the growing need to comply with emission regulations. Stringent environmental norms globally are mandating industries to install equipment that enables lower emission combustion at higher temperatures.

Typically, raising combustion temperature allows for more complete burning of fuels and easier activation of NOx reduction techniques. Burners capable of 1,400F and above thus help industries easily meet tighter emission limits for CO, VOCs, dioxins and other pollutants from their operations.

Additionally, high operating temperatures are needed for processes like metal heat treatment, petrochemical cracking and glass melting furnaces. Burners unable to sustain such temperatures impair process efficiencies or require equipment derating. This reduces plant output.

To avoid production issues and penalties for non-compliance, industries are increasingly fitting high temperature burners as replacements or new installations. Burner OEMs are also innovating designs like multi-stage combustion and low-NOx technologies to enable burners to touch 1,600F-2,000F.

Strong ecosystem support and capability to address multiple compliance needs will continue the momentum for high temperature burners in coming years. This segment will gain over low temperature alternatives.

Regional Insights

To learn more about this report, request sample copy

The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the industrial burner market, accounting for a significant market share of 73.2% in 2024, among all other regions. This region's dominance can be attributed to increasing industrialization, mining, and petrochemical activities across countries like China and India. The availability of raw materials, land, and low production and labor costs further contribute to the Asia Pacific market's expansion.

Moreover, Asia Pacific is expected to witness the highest market CAGR of 5.12% in 2024, outpacing other regions. This growth can be attributed to the increasing use of industrial burners in various end-use sectors, such as steam boilers, heat exchangers, air heaters, and hot water boilers. The large-scale utilization of industrial burners on heavy-duty boilers is also contributing to the region's market expansion.

The North America region is poised to witness the fastest growth in the industrial burner market over the coming years. This growth can be attributed to the increasing demand for industrial heating instruments in various end-use sectors, such as power generation, chemicals, and food and beverages. The region's focus on sustainability and energy efficiency is also driving the adoption of low-energy systems, which is expected to propel the market's growth.

Market Report Scope

Industrial Burner Industry News

• In October 2022, Toscotec unveiled the TT Hydrogen Burner, representing a cutting-edge advancement in burner technology exclusively powered by hydrogen. This innovative burner underwent meticulous design and extensive testing tailored for Yankee hoods, guaranteeing top-notch performance.
• In February 2023, ClearSign Technologies Corporation, an emerging leader in industrial combustion and sensing innovations, announced the inaugural sale of their fire tube boiler burner technology in California, U.S.
• In November 2022, Baltur launched The IB burner series, designed specifically to meet the rigorous demands of industrial applications. These burners for industrial use incorporate a distinct fan design.

*Definition: The industrial burner market consists of companies that manufacture and sell burners used in various industrial heating processes. These include burners used in industrial furnaces, ovens, kilns, boilers, and other equipment for applications like space heating, fluid heating, drying processes, and heat treatment across diverse industries like metals, petrochemicals, chemicals, food and beverage, and others.

Market Segmentation

• Fuel Type Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Oil-Based
  • Gas-Based
  • Dual Fuel
•  Burner Type Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • Regenerative Burners
  • High Velocity Burner
  • Thermal Radiation Radiant Burner
  • Customized (Burner Boiler)
  • Flat Flame Burner
  • Line Burner
  • Others
•  Operating Temperature Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • High Temperature ( 1400F)
  • Low Temp (< 1400F)
• Regional Insights (Revenue, US$ Bn, 2019 - 2031)
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East & Africa
    • South Africa
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa
• Key Players Insights
  • ANDRITZ Group
  • ALZETA Corporation
  • Ariston Group N.V.
  • Baltur S.p.A.
  • Bloom Engineering Inc.
  • C.I.B. Unigas S.p.A.
  • Faber Burner Company
  • Fives
  • Honeywell International Inc.
  • John Zink Hamworthy Combustion
  • Limpsfield Combustion Engineering Ltd.
  • MFBurners
  • NIBE Industrier AB
  • Oilon Group Oy
  • Riello S.p.A.
  • SAACKE GmbH
  • Selas Heat Technology Company
  • Weishaupt GmbH
  • Zeeco Inc.