Air Brake System Market

Air Brake System Market Outlook: 2026

The global air brake system market was valued at $4.81 billion in 2018, and is projected to reach $6.6 billion by 2026, registering a CAGR of 4.4%. North America was the highest revenue contributor, accounting for $2.03 billion in 2018, and is estimated to reach $2.70 billion by 2026, with a CAGR of 4.1%. Asia-Pacific is estimated to reach $2.5 billion by 2026, at a significant CAGR of 5.4%. North America and Asia-Pacific collectively accounted for around 77.4% share in 2018, with the former constituting around 42.2% share. Asia-Pacific and North America are expected to witness considerable CAGRs of 5.4% and 4.1%, respectively, during the forecast period. The cumulative share of these two segments was 77.4% in 2018, and is anticipated to reach 78.9% by 2026.                    

An air brake or a compressed air brake system is a type of friction brake designed for vehicles in which the compressed air is applied on a piston, which further applies pressure to the brake pads, thereby causing the vehicle to stop. Air brakes are used in large heavy vehicles, particularly those having multiple trailers, which must be linked into the brake system, such as trucks, buses, trailers, and semi-trailers, in addition to their use in railroad trains. George Westinghouse first developed air brakes for use in railway service. Air brake systems are typically used on heavy trucks and buses. The air brake system has a wider application in service brakes, parking brakes, and includes wider range of components such as control pedal, an air storage tank, and various other components which leads to a significant growth of the air brake system market across the globe.

The air brake system is a type of friction brake for vehicles in which compressed air pressing on a piston applies pressure in the brake to stop a vehicle. It comprises several components including compressor, governor, tank, air dryer, foot valve, brake chamber, and slack adjuster. Currently, there are two types of air brake systems that are commonly available in the market, namely, disc air brake system and drum air brake system. The air brake system is integrated in heavy as well as commercial vehicles to apply more massive brake effort thereby causing a significant demand of air brakes eventually boosting the air brake system industry. The increased demand for air brakes has positively impacted the market thereby increasing the air brake system market size across the globe.

Factors such as increase in production and sales of commercial vehicles and off-highway trucks along with the increased production of railway and high speed trains production are driving the growth of the air brake system market However, factors such as high cost of air brakes over hydraulic brakes, and increasing focus on electric trucks and buses is expected to hamper the air brake system market growth. Further, regulations related to load carrying capacity and mandates on air brakes installation are expected to create numerous opportunities for the growth and expansion of the market thereby increasing the air brake system market size.

The global air brake system market is segmented based on type, component, vehicle type, and region. Based on type, the market is categorized into air disc brake and air drum brake. Based on component, it is divided into compressor, governor, tank, air dryer, foot valve, brake chamber, and slack adjuster. Based on vehicle type, the market is bifurcated into truck, bus and rolling stock. By region, the air brake system market analysis is done across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

Key players including Knorr-Bremse, Wabco, Meritor, Haldex, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Wabtec, Nabtesco, TSE Brakes, Federal-Mogul Sorl Auto Parts and others account for a major air brake system market share.

Increase in Sales & Production of Commercial Vehicles and Off-Highway Trucks

Advancements in technology along with the advent of automation in automobiles, have increased the demand for vehicles equipped with better & advanced safety features. This has led the vehicle manufacturers across the globe to develop vehicles that are equipped with the latest technology. With surge in demand for transportation through vehicles and rise in urbanization, the demand for commercial vehicle and off- highway trucks has increased. This has led the component manufacturers across the globe to develop better and long lasting components such as air brakes to be equipped in vehicles, thereby ensuring longer life and safety. Thus the increase in the sales & production of commercial vehicles and off-highway trucks is expected to boost the growth of the air brake system market during the forecast period.

Increased production of railways and high-speed trains

With the advancements in technology and the introduction of automation in the railway industry, the demand for better and advanced safety components has increased. This has led the manufacturers to develop new and advanced components such as braking system, which are effective in the railways and high speed trains for ensuring safety and maintaining control over the vehicle. Governments across the globe have taken initiatives for the betterment and advancement of the railways eventually leading to the increase in the count. Thus, the increased number of railways and high-speed trains has led to the growth of market during the forecast period. 

High Cost of Air Brakes over Hydraulic Brakes

Brakes used in an automobile ensure the safety of the vehicle while driving and the air braking system is more efficient to avoid mishap to the vehicle as compared to any other braking system. At the same time, they are considered costlier as compared to the hydraulic brakes due to the difference in architecture of the air brake system and the hydraulic brakes. Also, components such as compressors, diaphragm and others, used in air brakes are costlier in case of replacement. This eventually increases the cost of the air brakes as compared to hydraulic brakes. Hence, high cost of air brakes over hydraulic brakes is anticipated to hamper the air brake system market during the forecast period.

Regulations Related to Load Carrying Capacity and Mandates on Air Brakes Installation

The increased transportation of goods by means of roads has led vehicle manufacturers to increase the load carrying capacity of the vehicles. Thus the governments across the globe have made rules and regulations for the load carrying capacity of the vehicle, thereby ensuring the safety and security while driving. For instance, the Indian government has increased the load carrying capacity of heavy vehicle by 20%-25% besides scrapping the mandatory annual renewal of fitness certificates for freight carriers. Also, the government has mandated the use of air brakes in the vehicle for ensuring the safety while driving, which has led to the growth of the market. Thus, the regulations related to load carrying capacity and mandates on air brakes are anticipated to provide numerous opportunities for the air brakes system market during the forecast period. 

Key Benefits for Air Brake System Market :

• This study presents the analytical depiction of the global air brake system market analysis along with the current trends and future estimations to depict the imminent investment pockets.
• The overall air brake system market opportunity is determined by understanding the profitable trends to gain a stronger foothold.
• The report presents information related to the key drivers, restraints, and opportunities of the global air brake system market with a detailed impact analysis.
• The current air brake system market is quantitatively analyzed from 2018 to 2026 to benchmark the financial competency.
• Porter’s five forces analysis illustrates the potency of the buyers and suppliers in the industry.

 Air Brake System Market Report Highlights