Tunnel Boring Machine Market growing at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2023 to 2030

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This infrastructure development has been fueled by vibrant economic growth, rapid urbanization, and smart city initiatives across the globe. To cater to the increasing connectivity needs, governments are making substantial investments in diverse construction projects, such as subways (metro), light rail transit, underground freight transport, and utility tunnels. Moreover, rising mining activities across the globe are expected to drive the Tunnel Boring Machine (TBM) market over the forecast period.

The growth of the transportation infrastructure in the U.S. is a key factor contributing to the market demand. Furthermore, rising investment in efficient transportation systems, high-speed rail networks, and smart city infrastructure in the U.S. has accelerated the construction of tunnels. For instance, The Northeast Maglev project announced in 2022 aimed to develop a high-speed Maglev train line connecting Washington, D.C. to Baltimore. In this project, it is planned that 70% of the high-speed rail track is to be made inside the tunnel. Such rising capital expenditure in the transportation sector has been fueling the market demand for TBMs.

International Tunneling and Underground Space Association (ITA-AITES) is the global organization that sets the standards for tunneling & underground construction across the world. Furthermore, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) in India has been regulating the market in India. The future of the global market is closely tied to the global infrastructure development landscape. As countries across the globe have been investing in public-private partnerships, renovation of existing infrastructure, and underground data centers, the market opportunity for tunnel boring machines is likely to remain positive. These machines are designed to handle challenging geologies like hard rock, soft soil, and heterogeneous ground conditions driving the demand for various construction projects across different terrains.

End-use Insights

The transport segment held the highest revenue share of 32.3% in 2022. They are extensively used in the transportation sector for the construction of tunnels and underground passages, including road tunnels, rail tunnels, and subway systems. These machines excavate tunnels through densely populated areas and challenging geological conditions, minimizing surface disruptions, traffic congestion, and noise pollution. Tunnel boring machines are often equipped with systems for the installation of tunnel lining, which provides structural support to the tunnels and ensures long-term safety and reliability. Due to these characteristics & reduced environmental impact, they enable the construction of additional transportation infrastructure in densely populated regions, thereby increasing capacity and accommodating growing passenger and cargo volumes.

Product Type Insights

The hard rock TBM segment held the highest market sharein 2022.  These machines are designed for excavating tunnels in geological conditions where the rock is exceptionally hard and abrasive. High torque and thrust, advanced cooling & lubrication systems, robust cutting heads with extreme hardness, and easy customization required depending on different geological conditions are some of the product attributes of the hard rock TBM. The use of hard rock TBMis extensive in a variety of construction and infrastructure projects that involve tunnel excavation in exceptionally hard and abrasive rock. Furthermore, hard rock TBMs are widely used in mining operations to create access tunnels and galleries for the extraction of valuable minerals, ores, and resources. As these tunnel boring machineshelp improve the safety and efficiency in underground mining, they are mostly used in the mining process.

The soft ground TBM segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR over the forecast period. Soft ground TBM is a specialized type of tunnel boring machine designed for excavating tunnels in geological conditions characterized by unconsolidated materials. These materials typically include soil, clay, silt, and sand. Due to the design requirement, mud pressure control and lining installation systems are present in these machines. Soft ground TBMs help create tunnels for housing utility infrastructure, such as electrical cables, water pipelines, and telecommunications networks. They can be employed to excavate tunnels for water supply systems, transporting fresh water from reservoirs. In coastal regions where soft soils are prevalent, soft-ground TBMs can be used to create tunnels that pass beneath bodies of water. These machines are deployed in the tunneling process through the soft, cohesive soils commonly found in cities.

Tunnel Boring Machine Market Report Scope