Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Boiler Type (Fire-Tube, Water-Tube), By End-user (Food & Beverages, Chemicals & Petrochemicals, Pulp & Paper, Oil & Gas, Others), By Region, and By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 15.96 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.96%
Fastest Growing Segment	Water-Tube
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 22.59 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market will grow from USD 15.96 Billion in 2025 to USD 22.59 Billion by 2031 at a 5.96% CAGR. Industrial Boiler Maintenance encompasses the comprehensive suite of services—including inspection, cleaning, repairs, and component replacement—designed to ensure the safe, efficient, and compliant operation of steam and hot water generation systems. The primary drivers propelling this market include the stringent enforcement of environmental regulations governing emissions, which necessitates regular tuning and upgrades, and the economic imperative to extend the operational lifespan of aging infrastructure to avoid costly capital replacements. Furthermore, the rising focus on energy efficiency to mitigate volatile fuel costs compels facility managers to invest in proactive service agreements that optimize thermal performance.

Despite these growth factors, the market faces a significant challenge in the form of a widening skills gap, as a shortage of certified technicians and engineers threatens to delay critical service intervals. This workforce constraint is occurring alongside a surge in sector activity. According to the American Clean Power Association, in 2024, the United States clean energy sector secured over $500 billion in new investments, a financial influx that is accelerating the modernization of industrial facilities and subsequently driving the demand for specialized maintenance of next-generation heating systems. Failure to address labor shortages amidst this investment boom could impede the timely execution of essential maintenance strategies.

Key Market Drivers

Stringent Environmental Regulations and Emission Standards constitute a primary catalyst for the Global Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market, compelling facility operators to prioritize rigorous compliance strategies. As governments enforce tighter limits on hazardous air pollutants, industrial plants must frequently commission specialized services for flue gas treatment, burner tuning, and particulate control to avoid punitive fines and operational shutdowns. This regulatory pressure is directly translating into financial growth for service providers specializing in emissions abatement. According to Babcock & Wilcox, March 2025, in the 'Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2024 Results', the company's Environmental segment revenues reached $109.4 million in 2024, driven primarily by growth in its electrostatic precipitator business. Such expenditure underscores the market's dependence on retrofitting and maintenance services to navigate the evolving legislative landscape.

The Rapid Adoption of Predictive Maintenance and IoT Technologies is simultaneously reshaping service delivery models by transitioning the sector from reactive repairs to data-driven asset management. Industrial facilities are increasingly integrating smart sensors and artificial intelligence to monitor boiler health in real-time, thereby predicting failures before they disrupt critical process steam supply. This digital transformation is evidenced by widespread capital allocation toward intelligent automation tools. According to Rockwell Automation, June 2025, in the '10th Annual State of Smart Manufacturing Report', 95% of manufacturers have invested in, or plan to invest in, AI and machine learning technologies over the next five years. This technological integration not only enhances reliability but also aligns with broader sustainability goals. According to Honeywell, in 2024, more than 60% of the company's new product research and development investment was directed toward sustainability-oriented outcomes, reflecting the industry-wide commitment to developing efficient, next-generation maintenance solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

The widening skills gap represents a substantial barrier to the expansion of the Global Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market. As boiler systems become increasingly advanced to comply with environmental regulations, the need for specialized technical expertise rises. However, the industry is grappling with a shortage of certified engineers and technicians, limiting the capacity of service providers to fulfill growing contract volumes. This labor deficit forces maintenance firms to delay critical service intervals or turn away new business, effectively capping revenue growth and hindering the timely modernization of industrial facilities despite the strong influx of capital into the sector.

This constraint is highlighted by significant workforce data. According to the National Association of Manufacturers, in 2024, more than 65 percent of manufacturers cited the inability to attract and retain a quality workforce as their primary business challenge. In the boiler market, this shortage directly impacts the ability to deploy field service teams, leading to prolonged downtimes and escalated labor costs. Consequently, the market is unable to fully leverage the demand for energy efficiency upgrades, as the physical availability of skilled labor fails to match the pace of required infrastructure improvements.

Key Market Trends

The market is witnessing a decisive shift toward retrofitting steam generation systems for compatibility with hydrogen and biomass, driven by the need to decarbonize thermal processes rather than merely complying with exhaust emission standards. Unlike traditional abatement strategies that focus on post-combustion cleanup, this trend involves fundamental hardware modifications to burners and fuel trains to accommodate the unique combustion characteristics of renewable fuels. This technical evolution is actively supported by manufacturers launching "hydrogen-ready" technologies to facilitate this transition. According to Bosch Commercial & Industrial, September 2024, in the article 'Introducing Bosch's first range of non-domestic 100% hydrogen boilers', the company released its Uni Condens 8000 F series designed to allow facilities to switch seamlessly between natural gas and 100% hydrogen, future-proofing assets against evolving energy sources.

Simultaneously, the sector is experiencing a transformation in commercial engagement models through the rise of subscription-based "Boiler-as-a-Service" (BaaS) agreements. This trend moves beyond standard maintenance contracts by offering guaranteed uptime and risk transfer, effectively converting steam generation from a capital-intensive asset ownership model into a flexible operational expense. These comprehensive packages increasingly integrate insurance-backed performance assurances to mitigate the financial impact of unplanned downtime. According to Miura America, August 2024, in the press release 'Redefining Boiler Maintenance with Miura Care', the company introduced a subscription program featuring an industry-first boiler availability guarantee backed by Hartford Steam Boiler, ensuring continuous operation and financial protection for facility managers.

Segmental Insights

The Water-Tube segment is the fastest-growing category in the Global Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market, primarily due to its extensive use in high-pressure power generation and heavy manufacturing. This growth is fueled by strict adherence to safety codes and inspection protocols established by organizations like the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. Operators prioritize frequent maintenance to ensure structural integrity and optimize thermal efficiency while minimizing fuel consumption. Furthermore, the complexity of these systems necessitates professional servicing to prevent operational failures, thereby securing a steady increase in demand for water-tube boiler maintenance.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific dominates the Global Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market due to extensive industrialization and a heavy reliance on thermal power generation in emerging economies like China and India. The region hosts a vast manufacturing sector that constantly requires boiler services to ensure operational efficiency and prevent costly downtime. Furthermore, stringent emission standards enforced by agencies such as China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment necessitate regular inspections, cleaning, and retrofitting to meet compliance targets. This combination of expanding infrastructure and rigorous regulatory pressure establishes the region as the primary hub for maintenance services.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, the international technology group Andritz acquired Allen-Sherman-Hoff, a United States-based specialist in ash handling systems, from Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises for $29 million. This strategic acquisition was intended to strengthen the company's aftermarket offerings and boiler service capabilities for the power and industrial sectors globally. Allen-Sherman-Hoff is widely recognized for its expertise in supplying replacement parts, maintenance services, and system upgrades for diverse boiler applications. The transaction aligned with the buyer's long-term strategy to expand its service business and provide complete lifecycle support for cleaner and more efficient industrial boiler operations.
• In August 2025, Valmet signed a comprehensive four-year service agreement with Helen Oy to ensure the long-term performance of a newly converted wood-pellet-fired boiler at the Salmisaari power plant in Helsinki, Finland. The agreement, which took immediate effect, focused on securing operational reliability, safety, and optimal efficiency for the bubbling fluidized bed boiler and its auxiliary systems. The scope of the contract included annual inspections, maintenance of pressure parts and flue gas cleaning units, shutdown planning, and remote process support via industrial internet services. This collaboration underscored the growing importance of specialized maintenance partnerships in the renewable energy transition.
• In August 2024, Babcock & Wilcox announced that its construction subsidiary had secured a contract valued at $25 million to perform critical outage and maintenance services at a thermal power plant in the United States. The project scope encompassed significant boiler upgrades, pressure part replacements, and other essential maintenance tasks scheduled for execution during the facility's fall outage. Company executives highlighted that this agreement reinforced their commitment to maintaining the reliability and efficiency of baseload generating assets. This contract further demonstrated the organization's extensive capabilities in delivering field construction and maintenance solutions within the global industrial boiler market.
• In May 2024, Thermogenics completed the strategic acquisition of Matt Marshall & Co., a well-established provider of industrial boiler solutions based in Greensboro, North Carolina. This transaction was designed to significantly bolster the company's service capabilities across the Southeastern United States and extend its reach into the mid-Atlantic region. The acquired entity was renowned for its comprehensive boiler room services, including 24-hour emergency repairs, installation, and equipment rentals. This expansion allowed the acquiring firm to enhance its portfolio of boiler lifecycle solutions, thereby strengthening its position in the industrial boiler maintenance and service sector.

Key Market Players

• Babcock International Group plc
• Veolia Environment SA
• Suez SA
• GE Energy
• Siemens AG
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
• Hitachi, Ltd.
• Alfa Laval AB
• Emerson Electric Co.
• Danaher Corporation

By Boiler Type	By End-user	By Region
Fire-Tube Water-Tube	Food & Beverages Chemicals & Petrochemicals Pulp & Paper Oil & Gas Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market, By Boiler Type:

• Fire-Tube
• Water-Tube

• Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market, By End-user:

• Food & Beverages
• Chemicals & Petrochemicals
• Pulp & Paper
• Oil & Gas
• Others

• Industrial Boiler Maintenance Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE