Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market: Current Analysis and Forecast (2025-2033)
Emphasis on Type (Fixed, Mobile, Robot, Others), By Application (Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Marine & Shipbuilding, Rail & Transportation, Construction & Infrastructure, Energy & Power Generation), and Region/Country
Global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Size & Forecast
The global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market was valued at USD 229.50 million in 2024 and is expected to grow to a strong CAGR of around 6.1% during the forecast period (2025-2033F), owing to the increasing demand for precision welding among the end-user industries.
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Analysis
The global friction stir welding (FSW) equipment market has witnessed rapid growth in the historical years. Some of the factors attributed to the growth are the rising demand from the end-user industries. Industries such as automotive, aerospace & defense, construction, etc., are ramping up production capacity along with the precision manufacturing techniques with the help of FSW equipment. Additionally, the welding of lightweight materials in the end-user industries to reduce the weight and improve the finishing of the products has also led to the market expansion. Additionally, many of the friction stir welding equipment manufacturing companies have announced their plans to launch new-age FSW equipment to tap the expanding markets and various applications in different end-user industries.
Global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Trends
This section discusses the key market trends that are influencing the various segments of the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market, as found by our team of research experts.
Increased Use of Automation in Manufacturing:
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) equipment automation is proving to be an improvement for enhanced manufacturing efficiency and consistency. The general trend is that industries such as automotive, aerospace, and rail increasingly introduced automated FSW systems into their production lines because these systems could fulfill high volume and stringent quality levels in production. Automated FSW solutions are often characterized by combinations of robot systems, CNC systems, and programmable logic controllers (PLCs) for precise welding parameters, reducing human error, and improving repeatability on complex geometries. As a result, these automated systems would produce improved throughput with reduced cycle time and operational costs over time. Furthermore, the integration of automation with Industry 4.0 elements, like real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, adds value through data-driven decisions and proactive equipment servicing.
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Industry Segmentation
This section provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033.
The Fixed Category has shown promising growth in the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market.
The global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market is segmented by type into Fixed, Mobile, Robotic, and Others. Fixed FSW Equipment occupies a dominant share of the market mainly because of its applications in industries that require production on a high-precision and large-scale, namely, aerospace, automotive, and shipbuilding. The systems are normally installed in manufacturing facilities where consistent welds of high strength are necessary in highly repetitive tasks, thus becoming the backbone of several manufacturers’ welding operations. Mobile FSW Equipment is gaining market traction because of its flexibility, ease of operation, and in-field applications for rail, pipeline repair, and heavy equipment maintenance tasks, especially in remote or constricted environments. On the contrary, Robotic FSW Equipment represents a rapidly emerging player, favored for integration with smart manufacturing and automation lines that allow mass production-based processes with limited human intervention.
Aerospace & Defense Category Dominates the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market.
The global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market is segmented by application into Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Marine & Shipbuilding, Rail & Transportation, Construction & Infrastructure, and Energy & Power Generation. Aerospace & Defense is among these, with a major market attributed to the necessity for precision along with strength and lightweight material joining in the sector. FSW has been extensively used in the manufacture of fuselage panels, fuel tanks, and structural components, where safety and performance demand high-integrity welds. The automotive sector has started adopting FSW, and with the advent of the electric vehicle, lightweight construction and efficient heat management are very critical. FSW is beneficial to the Marine & Shipbuilding and Rail & Transportation industries in providing permanent joints in large assemblies with minimum distortion. For Construction & Infrastructure and Energy & Power Generation, initial investigations are underway into FSW because of possible cost efficiency and durable joints, as well as joined high-strength and corrosion-resistant alloys intended for demanding environments.
North America is expected to grow at a considerable rate during the forecast period.
The North America region has held a dominant market share across the globe for the friction stir welding equipment market. With the presence of a large number of automotive, aerospace, and defense, railway industry, the demand for high precision welding in mass manufacturing is on a greater scale. Additionally, the region is also home to some of the largest aerospace manufacturers, which invest extensively in the manufacturing of space launch vehicles, commercial vehicles, military jets, regional jets, etc. With the aerospace industry requiring mass-scale precision manufacturing in remote-based operations, the demand for the friction stir welding equipment market is further anticipated to rise in the North American context. Some of the recent developments noted are as follows:
- In 2025, the Honda Anna Engine plant in Ohio announced the adoption of friction stir welding to create a cast aluminum battery case by joining two cases. The Anna engine plant is the largest Honda engine plant in the world and is vying to ramp up its production to cater to the growing demand for hybrid and future electric vehicles.
With the rising number of industries adopting friction stir welding equipment for ramping up the production capacity, the market in the North American region is further anticipated to rise during the forecasted years, i.e., 2025-2033.
The U.S. held a sizeable share of the North America Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market in 2024
The market for FSW equipment in the U.S. has shown steady growth, mainly supported by the robust activities in the high-performance areas of manufacturing, such as aerospace, automotive, defense, and shipbuilding. The high-strength, defect-free joints in lightweight materials made possible by FSW technology closely match the trends toward weight reduction, fuel efficiency, and integrity. Also, the adoption of automation with the advent of Industry 4.0 by most factories in the U.S. has generated interest in robotic and fixed FSW systems that provide consistent quality and higher production efficiency. Also, investment in infrastructure and defense manufacturing expansion is complemented by the effects of increasing large, complex metal structures in the scope of FSW application. It encourages companies to invest in more sustainable and energy-efficient green manufacturing technologies, such as FSW, through government support for advanced manufacturing as well as governmental development initiatives.
Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Industry Competitive Landscape:
The global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market is competitive, with several global and international market players. The key players are adopting different growth strategies to enhance their market presence, such as partnerships, agreements, collaborations, new product launches, geographical expansions, and mergers and acquisitions.
Top Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Companies
Some of the major players in the market are Friction Welding Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH, Manufacturing Technologies, Inc., Beijing FSW, FOOKE GmbH, PaR Systems, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, General Tool Company, KUKA AG, and Norsk Hydro ASA.
Recent Developments in the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market
- In 2025, JetZero announced plans to establish a new aircraft manufacturing plant in California, USA.
- In another instance, in 2025, DIMOR Group announced to invest USD 12 million to build a new JUNKERS aircraft factory at the WACO Aircraft Corporation campus in Battle Creek, Michigan.
- In 2024, PAR systems stated the usage of PAR’s I-STIR® Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology that has assisted United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket to be constructed as lightweight and enhance its capabilities.
- In 2023, Bond Technologies Inc. announced the launch of high-volume production of the FSW machine. According to the company, it has created the PM2 FSW machine as a solution for products like inverters, electronic enclosures, and small parts manufactured in thousands to millions per year.
Global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Report Coverage
Report Attribute | Details |
Base year | 2024 |
Forecast period | 2025-2033 |
Growth momentum | Accelerate at a CAGR of 6.1% |
Market size 2024 | USD 229.50 Million |
Regional analysis | North America, Europe, APAC, Rest of the World |
Major contributing region | North America is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. |
Key countries covered | U.S., Canada, Germany, U.K., Spain, Italy, France, China, Japan, South Korea, and India |
Companies profiled | Friction Welding Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH, Manufacturing Technologies, Inc., Beijing FSW, FOOKE GmbH, PaR Systems, Concurrent Technologies Corporation, General Tool Company, KUKA AG, and Norsk Hydro ASA. |
Report Scope | Market Trends, Drivers, and Restraints; Revenue Estimation and Forecast; Segmentation Analysis; Demand and Supply Side Analysis; Competitive Landscape; Company Profiling |
Segments Covered | By Type, By Application, By Region/Country |
Reasons to Buy the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Report:
- The study includes market sizing and forecasting analysis confirmed by authenticated key industry experts.
- The report briefly reviews overall industry performance at a glance.
- The report covers an in-depth analysis of prominent industry peers, primarily focusing on key business financials, type portfolios, expansion strategies, and recent developments.
- Detailed examination of drivers, restraints, key trends, and opportunities prevailing in the industry.
- The study comprehensively covers the market across different segments.
- Deep dive regional level analysis of the industry.
Customization Options:
The global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market can further be customized as per the requirements or any other market segment. Besides this, UnivDatos understands that you may have your own business needs, hence feel free to contact us to get a report that completely suits your requirements.
Table of Contents
Research Methodology for the Global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Analysis (2023-2033)
We analyzed the historical market, estimated the current market, and forecasted the future market of the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market to assess its application in major regions worldwide. We conducted exhaustive secondary research to gather historical market data and estimate the current market size. To validate these insights, we carefully reviewed numerous findings and assumptions. Additionally, we conducted in-depth primary interviews with industry experts across the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment value chain. After validating market figures through these interviews, we used both top-down and bottom-up approaches to forecast the overall market size. We then employed market breakdown and data triangulation methods to estimate and analyze the market size of industry segments and sub-segments.
Market Engineering
We employed the data triangulation technique to finalize the overall market estimation and derive precise statistical numbers for each segment and sub-segment of the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market. We split the data into several segments and sub-segments by analyzing various parameters and trends by Type, Application, and by Regions within the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market.
The Main Objective of the Global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Study
The study identifies current and future trends in the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market, providing strategic insights for investors. It highlights regional market attractiveness, enabling industry participants to tap into untapped markets and gain a first-mover advantage. Other quantitative goals of the studies include:
- Market Size Analysis: Assess the current and forecast market size of the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market and its segments in terms of value (USD).
- Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment Market Segmentation: Segments in the study include areas by Type, by Application, and by Region.
- Regulatory Framework & Value Chain Analysis: Examine the regulatory framework, value chain, customer behavior, and competitive landscape of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment industry.
- Regional Analysis: Conduct a detailed regional analysis for key areas such as Asia Pacific, Europe, North America, and the Rest of the World.
- Company Profiles & Growth Strategies: Company profiles of the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market and the growth strategies adopted by the market players to sustain in the fast-growing market.
Frequently Asked Questions FAQs
Q1: What is the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market’s current market size and growth potential?
The global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market was valued at USD 229.50 million in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% during the forecast period (2025-2033).
Q2: Which segment has the largest share of the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market by application?
The Aerospace & Defense segment led the market in 2024. With the growing demand for precision welding for improving metal joining, as well as improving the aerodynamics of the vehicles in the aerospace segment, it is further anticipated to hold a sizable market share.
Q3: What are the driving factors for the growth of the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market?
Rising Demand for Lightweight Materials: The mounting importance of lightweight materials becomes one of the propelling factors for the Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market. Industries automotive, aerospace, or renewable energy are now increasingly concerned about weight trimming on their components aimed at improving their fuel efficiencies and reducing emissions while at the same time enhancing performance. Well adapted to very lightweight materials such as aluminum, magnesium, and titanium alloys, which are more predominant in such sectors, FSW is for joining. The materials present weight reductions beyond strength in applications for specific performance. Therefore, the market is prepared for the rise in needs for FSW technologies as the demand for electric vehicles (EVs), fuel-efficient aircraft, and energy-efficient edifices goes up in the near future. In turn, this trend is driving a growing adoption of FSW equipment as well, as manufacturers start looking for reliable, efficient, and high-quality solutions to be able to cover this growing demand for lightweight, durable components.
Enhanced Mechanical Properties: Enhancements in mechanical properties are becoming a driving force towards the adoption of Friction Stir Welding (FSW) technology. FSW creates strong and high-quality joints free from those defects usually associated with traditional welding methods. This becomes very relevant for industries that work with material strengths and durability, such as automotive and aerospace defense. In fact, fatigue resistance, tensile strength, and other properties are improved not only at the weld site but also across other areas of FSW, making it appropriate for applications that require high-performance materials under stress and pressure.
Q4: What are the emerging technologies and trends in the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market?
Increased Use of Automation in Manufacturing: The integration of automation is a transformative trend in the FSW equipment market. Manufacturers are increasingly adopting robotic FSW systems and CNC-based welding machines to boost production efficiency, precision, and consistency. These automated solutions minimize human error, reduce labor costs, and enable real-time monitoring and adaptive control for complex weld paths. As part of the broader Industry 4.0 movement, automation also supports predictive maintenance and quality assurance through data analytics. Industries like aerospace and automotive are leading this shift, incorporating automation to meet stringent manufacturing standards and growing throughput demands. Companies are now offering customizable, automated FSW platforms that align with smart factory initiatives.
Rising Use of FSW in Electric Vehicle (EV) Manufacturing: The transition to electric mobility is driving increased adoption of FSW in EV production. As EV manufacturers focus on lightweight construction to enhance battery efficiency and range, FSW provides a superior method for joining aluminum and magnesium components without melting, ensuring structural strength and dimensional accuracy. The process is particularly useful for battery enclosures, motor housings, and underbody structures. Its low heat input and defect-free welds are ideal for sensitive EV parts. Leading automakers are now integrating FSW into their assembly lines to meet the high-performance and sustainability standards of next-generation electric vehicles, making it a core technology in EV manufacturing.
Q5: What are the key challenges in the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market?
High Initial Investment: One of the primary barriers to the adoption of FSW equipment is the high capital investment required for setup. Advanced FSW machines, especially those integrated with automation, robotics, and CNC systems, come with significant upfront costs. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often find it difficult to justify these expenses, particularly if their production volumes are low or if traditional welding techniques suffice for their applications. Additionally, the need for skilled personnel and infrastructure upgrades adds to the total cost of ownership, slowing down adoption in price-sensitive markets.
Limited Material Compatibility: While FSW excels at joining non-ferrous metals like aluminum and magnesium, its application remains limited when it comes to harder or high-temperature materials such as steel, titanium alloys, and certain composites. The solid-state nature of the process makes it less adaptable to a wide range of materials without specialized tooling or process modifications. This material limitation restricts its use across diverse industrial sectors, particularly where multi-material or high-temperature joints are required, posing a challenge to wider market penetration.
Q6: Which region dominates the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market?
The North America region dominates the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market due to the increased growth of the end-user industries.
Q7: Who are the key players in the global Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment market?
Some of the leading companies in Friction Stir Welding (FSW) Equipment includes:
- Friction Welding Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
- Grenzebach Maschinenbau GmbH
- Manufacturing Technologies, Inc.
- Beijing FSW, FOOKE GmbH
- PaR Systems
- Concurrent Technologies Corporation
- General Tool Company
- KUKA AG
- Norsk Hydro ASA
Q8: How is Friction Stir Welding (FSW) transforming the future of electric mobility, and what does it mean for manufacturers?
Friction Stir Welding is emerging as a game-changer in the electric vehicle (EV) sector by enabling the lightweight construction needed for enhanced battery performance and vehicle range. Unlike conventional welding, FSW ensures high-strength, defect-free joints in aluminum and magnesium components without compromising structural integrity. For EV manufacturers, this means faster production, reduced energy consumption, and better thermal management in battery enclosures and motor housings. With the EV market expanding rapidly, FSW is no longer optional—it’s becoming essential. Investors and suppliers who understand this shift stand to benefit from a technology that is aligned with both performance and sustainability demands.
Q9: Why is now the pivotal time for OEMs and suppliers to invest in automated FSW equipment?
The surge in demand for smart manufacturing and high-volume production has made automation in FSW not just a trend but a necessity. Automated FSW systems significantly reduce human error, increase welding consistency, and cut down on labor costs, while offering scalability for manufacturers. With sectors like aerospace, rail, and automotive moving toward Industry 4.0, companies investing in robotic and CNC-integrated FSW equipment are gaining a competitive edge. The timing is crucial: early adopters can future-proof their operations, enhance productivity, and meet tightening industry standards—all while positioning themselves as leaders in next-gen welding technology.
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