Abrasives market seen topping $72.2 billion by 2030

The Business Research Company says the global abrasives market is set to grow from 2025 to 2030, reaching more than $72.2 billion on demand for precision finishing across manufacturing, automotive, construction and electronics. Asia-Pacific and China are expected to lead the expansion, while bonded abrasives remain the largest product segment.

Why it matters: - Abrasives are becoming more important as manufacturers push for tighter tolerances, better surface quality and faster material removal. - The market’s growth reflects demand from heavy industry, automotive production, electronics, construction and advanced manufacturing. - The shift also favors suppliers with stronger precision engineering, longer-lasting products and more efficient production methods.

What happened: - The Business Research Company projected the global abrasives market will surpass $72.2 billion by 2030. - The report estimates a 7.6% compound annual growth rate through 2030. - The report was released on October 16, 2026, from London. - The company also projected the broader Other Non-Metallic Mineral Products market will reach about $253 billion by 2030. - The report said abrasives will account for about 28% of that broader market. - The company said abrasives will represent close to 0.7% of the global Metal and Mineral industry value by 2030.

The details: - Asia-Pacific is forecast to be the largest regional market by 2030 at $32 billion, up from $22 billion in 2025. - China is expected to be the largest national market by 2030 at $17 billion, rising from $12 billion in 2025. - Heavy manufacturing, metal fabrication, automotive production and repair, shipbuilding and infrastructure projects are driving demand in Asia-Pacific. - In China, growth is tied to electric vehicle batteries and components, semiconductor wafer polishing, consumer electronics, solar and wind equipment, robotics and automation-focused factories. - Bonded abrasives are expected to hold 49% of the market in 2030, equal to about $36 billion. - Bonded abrasives are used in heavy-duty metal cutting, grinding, shaping, tool and die manufacturing, railway maintenance, oil and gas equipment fabrication and industrial maintenance repair. - The market is segmented by raw material into natural and synthetic abrasives. - The market is segmented by form into block and powdered abrasives. - Main applications include grinding, cutting, polishing, drilling and finishing. - End-use industries include automotive, machinery, aerospace, electrical and electronics, construction and furniture. - The report says automotive and transportation demand will add about 2.4% annual growth to the market. - Metal fabrication and industrial manufacturing will add about 2.2% annual growth. - Construction and infrastructure development will add about 1.5% annual growth. - The report says bonded, coated and super precision abrasives will collectively add more than $22 billion in market value by 2030. - Bonded abrasives are projected to add $11 billion, coated abrasives $8 billion and super precision abrasives $3 billion between 2025 and 2030. - 3M Company led global sales in 2024 with an 11% market share, according to The Business Research Company. - Compagnie de Saint-Gobain S.A. held 6% of the market in 2024. - Robert Bosch GmbH, Imerys S.A., Klingspor AG, Mirka Ltd., Carborundum Universal Limited and Fujimi Incorporated each held 1%. - Asahi Diamond Industrial Co. Ltd. held 0.4%, and Sankyo-Rikagaku Co. Ltd. held 0.1%. - The top 10 companies generated 22% of total revenue in 2024, pointing to a moderately fragmented market. - Barriers to entry include advanced precision engineering, strict quality standards and specialized manufacturing processes.

Between the lines: - The market’s strongest near-term growth is coming from applications that need exact surface finishing, not just basic grinding and cutting. - Ceramic grain-based grinding wheels are emerging as a key product shift because they can improve removal rates, extend wheel life and reduce downtime. - In June 2026, Weiler Abrasives introduced fortis mill hot roll and cold roll grinding wheels for steel and metal processing using ceramic grains and Ultralock grain retention technology. - Competition appears to be moving toward performance, durability and production efficiency rather than price alone. - The report also points to AI optimization, bonding advances and grain engineering as tools for improving quality control and output.

What’s next: - Asia-Pacific’s manufacturing base is expected to keep lifting regional demand through 2030. - China’s growth will likely stay tied to EV supply chains, semiconductor processing and automation-led industrial upgrades. - Companies are expected to expand capacity, refine abrasive materials and strengthen supply chains to meet rising demand. - Product development will likely stay focused on higher-precision grinding, polishing and finishing for aerospace, medical devices, rail and automated manufacturing. - The report’s new 2026 edition includes market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics and tables, Excel dashboards, market hotspots infographics, and updated graphics and tables.

The bottom line: - Abrasives are shifting from a mature industrial category to a precision-driven growth market, with Asia-Pacific and China setting the pace.