Air Starters Market Size, Share Global Analysis Report, 2026-2034

Industry Insights

[221+ Pages Report] According to Facts & Factors, the global Air Starters market size was estimated at USD 0.92 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 1.68 billion by the end of 2034. The Air Starters industry is anticipated to grow by a CAGR of 6.9% between 2026 and 2034. The Air Starters Market is driven by increasing demand for reliable, explosion-proof engine starting solutions in hazardous and remote industrial environments.

Market Overview

The Air Starters market comprises specialized pneumatic starting systems that utilize compressed air to crank large internal combustion engines, gas turbines, and diesel engines where electric starters are impractical, unsafe, or unreliable. These devices deliver high starting torque in a compact, lightweight package and are inherently spark-free, making them ideal for hazardous classified areas such as offshore platforms, refineries, mining operations, marine vessels, and power generation facilities. Air starters are available in vane and turbine configurations, with designs optimized for different engine sizes, starting torque requirements, and duty cycles, offering advantages including no electrical infrastructure dependency, tolerance to extreme temperatures, and minimal maintenance compared to battery-based systems.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our research analyst, the Air Starters market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 6.9% over the forecast period (2026-2034).
• In terms of revenue, the Air Starters market size was valued at around USD 0.92 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.68 billion, by 2034.
• The Air Starters Market is driven by stringent safety requirements in hazardous classified areas and expansion of offshore and marine energy projects.
• Based on the Type, the Vane Air Starters segment dominated the market in 2025 with a share of 64% due to proven reliability, lower initial cost, simpler construction, and widespread suitability for reciprocating diesel and gas engines.
• Based on the Application, the Reciprocating Engines segment dominated the market in 2025 with a share of 58% owing to the massive global installed base of large diesel and gas engines in marine, power, and industrial applications.
• Based on the End-User, the Oil & Gas segment dominated the market in 2025 with a share of 49% because of the critical need for explosion-proof, dependable starting systems on offshore platforms, FPSOs, and onshore drilling rigs.
• North America dominated the global Air Starters market in 2025 with a share of 34% attributed to extensive offshore oil & gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico, strong shale gas operations, and high concentration of marine and power generation fleets.

Growth Drivers

• Safety Regulations in Hazardous Areas

Strict international and regional standards (ATEX, IECEx, Class I Div 1, API) prohibit or severely restrict electric starters in explosive atmospheres, making air starters the default or mandated solution for most upstream oil & gas, mining, and certain marine applications.

Expansion of deepwater offshore projects, LNG terminals, and floating production units continues to create steady demand for certified, high-torque air starting systems that operate reliably in corrosive, high-humidity, and vibration-heavy environments.

Restraints

• Dependence on Compressed Air Infrastructure

Reliable high-pressure air supply is a prerequisite for air starter operation; lack of or inconsistent compressed air systems on older vessels, remote sites, or during black-start scenarios limits broader adoption.

Higher upfront cost compared to electric starters (especially for smaller engines) and the need for periodic seal and vane/turbine maintenance can deter price-sensitive buyers in non-hazardous applications.

Opportunities

• Marine & Offshore Wind Growth

Increasing orders for LNG carriers, offshore support vessels, and hybrid-electric propulsion systems require robust air starting solutions for large auxiliary and emergency diesel engines.

Emerging demand for air starters in land-based battery energy storage system (BESS) black-start diesel generators and data center backup power plants offers a new growth avenue outside traditional oil & gas.

Challenges

• Competition from Modern Electric & Hybrid Starters

Advancements in explosion-proof electric starters, supercapacitor-assisted systems, and hydraulic starting alternatives are narrowing the safety and reliability gap in certain applications, putting pressure on air starter manufacturers to reduce cost and weight.

Global shift toward electrification and decarbonization in marine and power sectors may gradually reduce long-term demand for large diesel engine starters in some segments.

Report Scope

Market Segmentation

The Air Starters market is segmented by type, application, end-user, and region.

Based on Type Segment, the Air Starters market is divided into vane air starters and turbine air starters. The most dominant segment is Vane Air Starters, followed by Turbine Air Starters. Vane Air Starters dominate because they provide excellent torque at low speeds, are mechanically simpler and less expensive to manufacture and maintain, and cover the majority of starting requirements for medium-to-large reciprocating diesel and gas engines in marine, oil & gas, and power applications, thereby accounting for the highest unit volume and aftermarket parts revenue while supporting continuous incremental improvements in seal life and efficiency.

Based on Application Segment, the Air Starters market is divided into reciprocating engines, gas turbines, diesel engines, and others. The most dominant segment is Reciprocating Engines, followed by Diesel Engines. Reciprocating Engines lead the segment due to the enormous global population of large 4-stroke and 2-stroke diesel and gas engines in marine propulsion, power generation, and industrial compression that require dependable, high-torque starting, generating the largest and most consistent demand for vane-type air starters and driving manufacturer focus on torque density and starting reliability enhancements.

Based on End-User Segment, the Air Starters market is divided into oil & gas, marine, power generation, mining, and others. The most dominant segment is Oil & Gas, followed by Marine. Oil & Gas dominates because offshore platforms, FPSOs, drilling rigs, and onshore gas compression stations operate in Zone 1 hazardous areas where explosion-proof air starters are mandatory, creating high-value, specification-driven purchases and sustaining long-term aftermarket demand for spares and service in a capital-intensive industry.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Ingersoll Rand launched the next-generation 150BMG series vane air starter with improved torque-to-weight ratio and extended seal life for offshore and marine applications.
• In September 2025, Gali Group introduced a compact turbine air starter certified to ATEX Zone 1 and IECEx standards, targeting new LNG carrier auxiliary engine requirements.
• In March 2025, Voith Turbo expanded its air starter portfolio with a high-torque model specifically engineered for black-start diesel generators in battery energy storage projects.
• In November 2025, Hill Group (Australia) secured a major contract to supply vane air starters for 12 new offshore supply vessels being built in South Korea.
• In January 2026, Starting Systems Inc. released a retrofit kit that upgrades older vane starters with modern composite vanes and electronic control interfaces for improved reliability on aging rigs in the North Sea.

Regional Analysis

• North America to dominate the global market

North America leads the Air Starters market through its massive offshore oil & gas activity in the Gulf of Mexico, extensive shale gas compression infrastructure, large fleet of workboats and OSVs, and stringent hazardous area classifications that mandate air starters on most critical diesel and gas engines. The region benefits from a mature aftermarket service network, high replacement demand from aging platforms, and strong presence of both domestic and international starter manufacturers. The United States dominates within North America owing to its leadership in deepwater exploration, LNG export terminal development, and the highest concentration of large horsepower diesel engines requiring certified air starting systems.

Europe holds a significant position in the Air Starters market supported by North Sea and Norwegian Continental Shelf offshore operations, a large merchant and offshore vessel fleet, and strict ATEX/IECEx compliance requirements across marine and industrial applications. Norway and the United Kingdom dominate within Europe due to their focus on high-reliability starting solutions for harsh subsea and North Sea conditions and ongoing life-extension projects on existing platforms.

Asia Pacific is experiencing the fastest growth in the Air Starters market driven by rapid expansion of LNG carrier construction in South Korea and China, increasing offshore activity in Southeast Asia, and rising demand for reliable engine starting in remote mining and power generation sites. South Korea dominates within the region through its world-leading shipbuilding industry that installs large numbers of air starters on newbuild LNG carriers, bulk carriers, and offshore vessels.

Latin America shows steady demand in the Air Starters market fueled by offshore developments in Brazil’s pre-salt fields, onshore gas compression in Argentina, and marine vessel operations across the region. Brazil dominates the region with its extensive deepwater production platforms and growing fleet of support vessels that require certified explosion-proof starting systems.

The Middle East & Africa region demonstrates strong growth in the Air Starters market supported by massive offshore gas and oil projects in the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, and West Africa, together with new LNG liquefaction and regasification terminals. The United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia lead within the region through their large-scale offshore field developments and stringent safety standards that favor proven air starter technology.

Competitive Analysis

The global Air Starters market is dominated by players:

• Ingersoll Rand
• Gali Group
• Voith Turbo GmbH & Co. KG
• Hill Group
• Starting Systems Inc.
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries
• Tech Development (Ametek)
• Maradyne Corporation
• Multi Torque (MTU)
• IBAG North America

The global Air Starters market is segmented as follows:

By Type

• Vane Air Starters
• Turbine Air Starters

By Application

• Reciprocating Engines
• Gas Turbines
• Diesel Engines

By End-User

• Oil & Gas
• Marine
• Power Generation
• Mining
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America