Africa Mobile Air Compressor Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology, By Lubrication, By Power, By End-use, By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

Report Overview

The Africa mobile air compressor market size was valued at USD 261.9 million in 2022 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.1% from 2023 to 2030. Clean air technology and new-age devices such as noise-free are predicted to stimulate demand for mobile air compressors. Furthermore, eco-friendly features, cost-effective operations, and retrofitting of existing systems are likely to increase demand over the projection period. According to the Minerals Council South Africa, the value of mining production exceeded USD 0.056 trillion in 2021, a more than 30% rise over 2020, which was already 14% higher than in 2019, owing to commodity price hikes. Over the forecast period, the expanding mining industry will drive demand for mobile/portable air compressors in Africa. For instance, Atlas Copco and Airlif Compressors offer a mobile compressed air product called U110PACE for mining in South Africa. Furthermore, the ultra-durable Atlas Copco U110PACE unit was selected as the appropriate application companion, having been precisely developed to deliver mobility and dependability to even the most difficult mining settings.

Zambia received USD 3.3 billion in foreign direct investment, primarily in the construction sector, according to the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA). Additionally, Zambia's construction growth has fluctuated significantly in recent years, averaging 7.4% from 1972 to 2021. Consequently, Zambia's expanding construction industry is likely to stimulate demand for mobile air compressors in the construction industry. For instance, ELGi's construction air compressors are designed to provide compressed air on demand for increased longevity, whether for irregular or continuous use, and are ideal for the high needs of the construction industry's day-to-day operations.

The mining industry continues to be the backbone of Zambia's economy. It makes a considerable contribution to GDP and has been the fastest expanding sector in the economy, providing an average of around 14% to GDP between 2014 and 2019, making it the second greatest contributor to GDP behind wholesale and retail trade. Thus, the growing mining industry will drive the demand for mobile air compressors in the mining industry of Zambia. The use of mobile air compressors in mining is widespread as they are widely used at every step of the mining process.

Furthermore, the mobile air compressor offers a wide range of application in the mining industry such as it has made the process safer and more efficient. Moreover, compressed air is chosen for mining due to its adaptability and convenience. In addition, mobile air compressors are reliable, efficient, and have low part replacement costs, thereby driving market demand over the forecast period.

Furthermore, increased investments in Africa's healthcare sector are driving market demand. For instance, the U.S. government collaborated with African countries and institutions, such as the African Union (AU) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), to achieve shared public health goals. As a result, the rising healthcare industry in Africa is fueling market demand. For instance, compressed air systems for hospital operations aid in a variety of everyday medical applications ranging from non-invasive or critical care to emergency scenarios, fueling market demand.

Technology Insights

The reciprocating technology segment led the market and accounted for 63.5% of the revenue share in 2022. Reciprocating compressors are known as positive displacement compressors. Low maintenance cost, higher-pressure generation, flexibility of use, and high efficiencies are driving the demand for reciprocating technology in the coming years.

The rotary technology segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.7% over the forecast period. A positive displacement, a rotary-type compressor is referred to as a rotary air compressor. These compressors provide industrial processes in commercial, trade, and workshop settings with high-quality compressed air or gas. These aforementioned factors will propel the market demand in the coming years.

Furthermore, longer product life cycles, as well as greater demand for greater energy savings, all contribute to a major share of the total life cycle expenses of compressor maintenance and operation. As a result, rotary compressors currently outsell reciprocating compressors in terms of revenue. ELGi's rotary air compressors, for instance, offer a wide range of advantages such as innovative features, high-end designs, and technologies that provide long-lasting, cost-effective, dependable, and premium compressed air solutions appropriate for light to heavy-duty industrial applications.

Lubrication Insights

The oil filled lubrication segment led the market and accounted for 68.6% of the revenue share in 2022. Oil-filled air compressors are widely used in the energy, manufacturing, and chemical industries. They are more robust and make less noise than oil-free compressors. In the coming years, the aforementioned factors will drive demand for oil-filled air compressors. Atlas Copco, for instance, offers oil-lubricated rotary screw compressors that provide consistent, energy-efficient, and smart AIR solutions. It also has a lower overall lifecycle cost, which drives market demand.

Leading players are developing low-maintenance and eco-friendly mobile air compressors to persuade consumers to choose advanced and energy-efficient mobile air compressors. To distinguish their products in an incredibly competitive sector, companies like Ingersoll Rand Plc; Atlas Copco Inc.; and Bauer Group have developed advanced technologies with high-performance capabilities.

These technologically advanced mobile air compressors' major advantages include improved efficiency and decreased noise levels. For instance, Atlas Copco's GA 7-110 VSD+ is a cutting-edge oil-filled compressor that increased the standard for energy efficiency by cutting its energy use by about 50%. As a result, during the projection period, the manufacturers will have an opportunity owing to the adoption of energy-efficient technologies.

The oil-free lubrication segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% over the forecast period owing to the implementation of new legislation to reduce emissions and governments' increased emphasis on environmental safety. Moreover, factors such as rapid industrialization and growth of the manufacturing, food processing, and semiconductor sectors are propelling the demand for air compressors. Furthermore, oil-free mobile air compressors offer a wide range of advantages such as a low risk of contamination, reduced maintenance and replacement cost, low energy cost, and minimal environmental impact, thereby driving the segment’s growth.

Lubricated compressors are heavier and more sophisticated. As a result, oil-filled mobile air compressors require more frequent maintenance. Furthermore, oiled compressors typically outnumber oil-free ones because internal parts do not dry out. Oil-free compressors, on the other hand, require less maintenance than lubricated ones as they have fewer moving components. Compressors that do not require oil are lightweight and thus easier to move. As a result, oil-free compressors often last less time than lubricated versions.

Power Insights

The electric-powered segment led the market and accounted for 63.4% of the revenue share in 2022. Portable electric air compressors are useful for mining and construction areas where electricity is readily available. These portable compressors have the advantage of being quiet and emitting no emissions. These factors will fuel demand for electric-powered mobile air compressors in the coming years.

For instance, ELGi offers diesel and electric-driven compressors that provide dependable compressed air support in difficult environments. The portable line of ELGi has grown to meet the evolving needs of the construction, mining, oil & gas, and water well industries. Moreover, ELGi portable air compressor is engineered to be highly efficient, productive, and simple to use.

The diesel-powered segment is expected to witness a CAGR of 3.6% over the forecast period. Diesel-powered air compressors are known for their dependability and toughness. They are employed in a variety of applications, including jackhammers, rock drills, impact wrenches, and chipping tools, as well as sandblasting. These reasons will increase the need for diesel-powered mobile air compressors over the coming years.

Additionally, portable diesel air compressors deliver compressed air wherever it is required, including plant, road, and refinery sites, among others. In the coming years, the aforementioned factors will drive demand for diesel-powered mobile air compressors. Furthermore, ELGi is one of the few firms in the world that offers a complete line of single and two-stage compressors in this range. ELGi portable compressors are widely utilized by drill rig OEMs around the world owing to their efficiency, compactness, and maneuverability.

End-use Insights

The mining end-use led the market and accounted for 20.7% of the revenue share in 2022. Mining operations take place in the most hazardous, isolated, and inaccessible locations. Mobile air compressors are used safely and efficiently in mines and oil rigs in the harshest situations to pneumatic tools, power drilling equipment, ventilation systems inside mines, and conveyor belts that transport material.

Mobile air compressors are used in the healthcare sector to clean the air required for dentistry as well as to reduce air contamination. ELGi, for instance, offers oil-free air compressors for transporting medicinal gas for anesthetic circumstances. Furthermore, in the food and beverage industry, mobile air compressors reduce contamination risk by delivering air without the requirement for filtration and separation. These are employed in the product transportation and storage, packing, filling, and capping processes to improve product quality & eliminate potential health concerns.

The oil & gas end-use segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.7% over the forecast period. The fuel industry can refine fuels more efficiently with mobile air compressors to meet the African market demand for oil & gas. Fuel, as one of the world's most important resources, is always in high demand, regardless of the economic condition in any given region. Mobile air compressors are used by fuel firms to accomplish a variety of critical duties at production plants all around the world.

Compressed air helps stamp, mix, clamp, inject, separate, clean, and many other production processes. Moreover, rotary screw compressors or reciprocating compressors are commonly used by manufacturers. Thus, the wider application of mobile air compressors in the manufacturing industry will drive the demand for mobile air compressors in the coming years.

Country Insights

Manufacturing output in South Africa climbed by 2.9% in September, following a revised 1.7% gain in August. According to Statistics South Africa, the manufacturing output is majorly driven by the growth of motor vehicles, parts & accessories, and other transport equipment. South Africa's developing manufacturing sector is likely to drive demand for mobile air compressors in the future years.

While many manufacturing plants have huge air compressors installed permanently, some use portable air compressors as backup units. Because most portable air compressors run on gasoline, they're ideal for having on hand in the event of a power outage or an electrical emergency. They ensure that production runs smoothly, which is just what manufacturers require to be successful. Furthermore, portable air compressors are tiny, lightweight compressed air systems that may be transported.

In the pharmaceutical industry, cleanliness & precision are the highest priorities. For highly accurate results, pharmaceutical companies use mobile air compressors. Moreover, the coating & hardening of medicines also requires mobile air compressors. These aforementioned factors will drive the demand for mobile air compressors in Egypt.

Increased health awareness and expansion of the generic drug sector are the main factors attributed to the growth of pharmaceutical companies in Egypt. With more than 120 pharmaceutical companies, Egypt is among the largest producers and consumers of pharmaceuticals in Africa. Thus, the growing pharmaceutical industry drives the demand for mobile air compressors in the coming years.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

The African market is highly consolidated and competitive as it is dominated by major players such as Atlas Copco; Ingersoll Rand Plc; and Sullair LLC. The key players in the market are focusing on collaborating with other players. Moreover, they are making high investments in R&D for developing innovative solutions and gaining a competitive advantage. Some prominent players in the Africa mobile air compressor market include:

• Atlas Copco

• Doosan

• ELGI EQUIPMENTS LIMITED

• Kirloskar

• Sandvik

• Ingersoll Rand

• Sullair (Hitachi, Ltd)

• Kaeser

• Airstream

• Trade Air

• CompAir

Africa Mobile Air Compressor Market Report Scope

Africa Mobile Air Compressor Market Report Segementation

This report forecasts revenue growth at regional & country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Africa mobile air compressor market report based on technology, lubrication, power, end-use, and country:

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Rotary

  • Reciprocating

• Lubrication Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Oil Free

  • Oil Filled

• Power Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Diesel

  • Electric

• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Construction

  • Mining

  • Water Well Drilling

  • Oil & Gas

  • Rental/Plant

  • Manufacturing

  • Others

• Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Africa

    • Zambia

    • Malawi

    • Congo DRC

    • South Africa

    • Egypt