A major source of global demand, with different industries moving at different speeds.
China’s demand for pneumatic and compressed-air equipment comes from machinery production, factory investment, maintenance, replacement and changes to existing processes. Understanding that demand requires looking beyond the size of the market to the activities generating purchases.
China’s share of the global market
Pneumatic components
Estimated China market revenue was US$5.28 billion in 2025, representing 19.1% of global revenue. The research category includes valves, actuators, air-treatment components and other pneumatic components. Source: Grand View Research
Air compressors
Estimated China market revenue was US$5.54 billion in 2024, representing 20.9% of global revenue for stationary and portable air compressors. Source: Grand View Research
These estimates describe demand attributed to China. They do not measure China’s share of worldwide manufacturing or exports. The two categories use different reference years and should not be added together as a complete valuation of the compressed-air sector.
What current manufacturing activity suggests
Economic indicators reviewed: September 7, 2026.
China’s manufacturing value added increased 5.5% year over year in July 2026, among industrial enterprises covered by the National Bureau of Statistics’ above-designated-size survey. General-purpose machinery grew 9.5%, special-purpose machinery 12.6%, and high-technology manufacturing 16.9%. These are output measures, not pneumatic-equipment sales figures. Source: National Bureau of Statistics, July industrial production
The official manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index reached 49.8 in August, up from 49.2 in July. The August production index was 50.4 and new orders 50.6. A reading above 50 indicates expansion compared with the previous month; below 50 indicates contraction. Source: National Bureau of Statistics, August PMI
Airmotion Directory’s interpretation: Manufacturing output is growing compared with a year earlier, but the monthly survey still shows an uneven business climate. Stronger machinery activity can support equipment demand without producing a broad increase in spending across every factory or product category.
The measures can move differently because they compare different periods and capture different aspects of activity. Neither establishes the growth rate of pneumatic or compressor purchases.
Where demand comes from
New equipment and production capacity
Machinery builders and expanding facilities require motion control, pneumatic components, compressors and supporting equipment. The opportunity depends on which industries are investing and whether projects proceed to equipment orders.
Maintenance and replacement
Existing machinery and compressed-air installations need replacement components, repairs and equipment renewal. This demand can continue when new-factory investment slows.
Changes to existing processes
Automation, revised production lines and different handling or air-quality requirements can generate purchases inside an existing facility. A new building is not required for a new equipment order.
Operating-cost improvements
Leaks, unnecessary air consumption and inefficient equipment can create a case for investment. Purchases depend on the expected savings, installation requirements and available budget.
What to watch next
- Customer-industry production: Machinery, electronics, automotive, food processing and other relevant sectors can move differently.
- New orders and export orders: These help identify changes in factory workloads, but do not directly measure component purchases.
- Manufacturing investment and capacity utilization: These help distinguish investment in additional capacity from work on existing assets.
- Industrial profits and purchasing budgets: More output does not automatically mean more money available for equipment.
- Pneumatic and compressor orders or shipments: Use direct sector evidence where comparable figures are available.
- Energy, financing and trade conditions: Changes can affect operating costs, purchasing decisions and the timing of projects.
A large market creates many possible sources of demand. The useful question is which customers have a reason and a budget to buy.
About the figures
Market sizes are commercial research estimates. Economic indicators are official statistical releases covering the periods stated above.
The compressor source’s detailed summary table and market-share text identify the US$5.542 billion estimate as 2024, although its headline card labels the same value 2025. This page follows the detailed table’s 2024 reference.
Forecasts describe expected outcomes, not sales already achieved. Market estimates, production growth and purchasing-manager surveys should be read as different measures.