Infrared Thermography Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented by Component Type (Infrared Cameras, Thermal Imaging Systems, Software and Hardware), By Technology (Cooled Infrared Imaging, Uncooled Infrared Imaging), By End User Industry (Industrial, Commercial, Healthcare, Residential, Aerospace and Defense), By Region, Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 5.35 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	8.75%
Fastest Growing Segment	Commercial
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 8.85 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Infrared Thermography Market will grow from USD 5.35 Billion in 2025 to USD 8.85 Billion by 2031 at a 8.75% CAGR. Infrared thermography involves the acquisition and analysis of thermal information from contactless imaging devices to detect and visualize radiation in the infrared range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the escalating implementation of predictive maintenance strategies across manufacturing sectors to minimize equipment downtime and ensure operational continuity. Additionally, stringent government regulations regarding fire safety and energy efficiency audits in residential and commercial infrastructure continue to compel the adoption of thermal inspection technologies globally.

A significant challenge impeding market expansion is the susceptibility of the industry to broader economic downturns which reduce capital expenditure on monitoring equipment. This financial vulnerability is evident in recent industrial data. According to the VDMA Machine Vision sector group, in 2024, the European market forecast a 10 percent decline in nominal sales driven by a deteriorating order situation in the manufacturing sector. Such volatility highlights the reliance of the thermography market on the stability of the global industrial economy.

Key Market Drivers

The expansion of surveillance and security applications in defense sectors is acting as a primary catalyst for the global infrared thermography market. As geopolitical tensions persist, military organizations are prioritizing the modernization of infantry equipment with advanced night vision and thermal weapon sights to enhance situational awareness in low-light combat environments. This trend is characterized by substantial procurement programs focused on uncooled thermal sensors that offer superior target acquisition capabilities while minimizing weight and power consumption for the operator. For instance, according to Leonardo DRS, August 2024, in the 'US Army Awards Leonardo DRS Major Contract for Next-Gen Thermal Weapon Sights' press release, the company secured a $117 million order to continue the production of the Family of Weapon Sights – Individual (FWS-I) for the U.S. Army. Such large-scale investments underscore the critical reliance on thermal technology for maintaining tactical advantages in modern defense strategies.

Concurrently, the integration of thermal imaging in automotive ADAS and autonomous systems is significantly reshaping market demand. Automakers are increasingly embedding longwave infrared sensors into vehicles to complement radar and visible cameras, driven by the need to meet stricter safety regulations regarding pedestrian detection in adverse lighting conditions. To facilitate this mass adoption, manufacturers are developing smaller, high-performance sensors that can be easily packaged into vehicle bodies. According to Lynred, October 2024, in the 'Lynred demonstrates smallest thermal imaging sensor' announcement, the company unveiled a prototype 8.5 micrometer pixel pitch sensor specifically designed to help automakers comply with upcoming Automatic Emergency Braking mandates. The robust activity across these diverse verticals is reflected in the financial performance of key industry leaders. According to Teledyne Technologies, in 2024, the Digital Imaging segment reported net sales of $768.4 million in the third quarter alone, highlighting the sustained economic value generated by these thermal imaging technologies.

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Key Market Challenges

The susceptibility of the Global Infrared Thermography Market to broader economic downturns presents a substantial barrier to its expansion. Since thermal imaging systems are often classified as significant capital investments, their procurement is closely linked to the financial health of end-use industries such as manufacturing and automotive. During periods of economic instability, industrial facilities frequently prioritize essential operational costs over predictive maintenance tools or quality control upgrades. Consequently, reduced liquidity forces companies to delay the acquisition of advanced monitoring equipment, leading to extended hardware replacement cycles and a contraction in new order volumes.

This correlation between economic hesitation and market stagnation is illustrated by recent industry figures. According to VDMA Robotics + Automation, in 2025, the machine vision subsector is projected to stagnate with zero growth, generating industry revenues of 3.1 billion euros. This lack of expansion underscores how sensitive the market is to hesitancy in industrial spending, as manufacturers postpone investment plans in response to external pressures, directly hampering the growth trajectory of thermography solutions.

Key Market Trends

The integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for automated thermal anomaly detection is shifting the industry from simple image capture to actionable predictive analytics. As industrial assets generate vast amounts of radiometric data, machine learning algorithms are becoming essential for identifying minute temperature irregularities that indicate potential failures in electrical grids and manufacturing systems. This technological leap allows for the processing of massive datasets at speeds unattainable by human operators, significantly enhancing maintenance efficiency. The scale of this deployment is evident in major infrastructure projects. According to Arkion, April 2025, in the 'Arkion Wins Multi-Year Deal With Energisa' announcement, the company was selected to provide AI-powered condition assessments for 2.5 million transmission and distribution structures, illustrating the growing reliance on automated software to manage critical utility assets.

Concurrently, the rapid adoption of drone-based aerial thermography is transforming infrastructure inspection by replacing expensive manned aircraft with agile, autonomous unmanned systems. Utility operators are increasingly deploying thermal-equipped drones to monitor extensive power line networks, as these platforms offer superior accessibility to remote assets while reducing the safety risks associated with traditional manual climbing or helicopter patrols. This operational shift is driving a surge in service contracts dedicated to large-scale aerial monitoring. For instance, according to Airpelago, January 2025, in the 'Airpelago officially expands into the DACH area' press release, the company confirmed it had secured agreements to inspect 50,000 kilometers of power lines for the upcoming year. Such extensive adoption highlights how aerial thermography is becoming the standard for maintaining grid reliability.

Segmental Insights

The Commercial segment is currently emerging as the fastest-growing category in the Global Infrared Thermography Market, driven principally by stringent energy efficiency mandates and the expanding requirements for comprehensive building diagnostics. Regulatory initiatives focusing on sustainable infrastructure are compelling facility managers to adopt thermal imaging for identifying heat loss, moisture intrusion, and electrical faults within HVAC and electrical systems. Additionally, the increasing accessibility of cost-effective, handheld thermal cameras has significantly widened adoption among contractors and building inspectors. This growth is further supported by the vital role of thermography in predictive maintenance, ensuring operational safety and compliance in commercial facilities.

Regional Insights

North America holds the leading position in the Global Infrared Thermography Market due to extensive adoption across the aerospace and defense sectors. The United States Department of Defense significantly contributes to regional demand by integrating thermal imaging into surveillance and combat systems. Furthermore, the region possesses a strong industrial framework where manufacturers utilize thermography for predictive maintenance and quality assurance. The presence of key technology providers and continuous investment in research activities allow for steady improvements in product capabilities, thereby sustaining the market dominance of North America in both military and commercial applications.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Seek Thermal introduced a next-generation thermal sensor technology specifically engineered for the automotive safety market. The new longwave infrared (LWIR) sensors were designed to facilitate compliance with emerging regulatory standards, such as FMVSS-127, and to support Pedestrian Automatic Emergency Braking (PAEB) systems. Optimized for mass-market integration, these sensors provide high-performance thermal imaging that ensures reliable object detection in low-light conditions and adverse weather. This development highlighted the company's focus on providing Tier 1 automotive partners and OEMs with scalable, cost-effective solutions to enhance vehicle safety and driver assistance systems.
• In October 2024, Lynred announced the acquisition of New Imaging Technologies (NIT), a French provider specializing in shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging solutions. This strategic expansion was undertaken to strengthen the company's portfolio by integrating NIT’s expertise in manufacturing high-definition SWIR arrays and modules. The acquisition enabled the organization to offer a comprehensive range of infrared detectors across multiple wavelengths, addressing the growing requirements of the defense, aerospace, and industrial machine vision sectors. By combining resources, the entity aimed to accelerate the development of advanced sensing technologies and enhance its production capabilities for large-format sensors.
• In September 2024, Fluke Corporation released the iSee Mobile Thermal Camera, a compact imaging device designed to interface directly with smartphones. This new product was engineered to provide high-resolution thermal imagery comparable to professional cameras, allowing electricians and HVAC technicians to identify temperature anomalies with greater speed and safety. The device features a broad temperature detection range and seamless connectivity for real-time data analysis and reporting in the field. This launch represented a significant step in making professional-grade thermography more accessible for on-the-go inspections and troubleshooting in hard-to-reach industrial environments.
• In June 2024, Teledyne FLIR launched the Hadron 640+ and Hadron 640R+, the latest iterations of its dual radiometric thermal and visible camera modules. These high-performance units were specifically optimized for integration into unmanned aircraft systems and robotic platforms, delivering industry-leading thermal sensitivity in a compact form factor. The modules feature a resolution of 640 x 512 and are capable of maintaining operational awareness in total darkness, smoke, and glare. This product release addressed the critical needs of integrators requiring reliable, AI-ready dual-camera solutions for demanding intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.

Key Market Players

• FLIR Systems, Inc.
• Testo SE & Co. KGaA
• Fluke Corporation
• RAYTHEON COMPANY
• TELEDYNE FLIR LLC
• JENOPTIK AG
• SKF.
• Opgal Optronics Industries Ltd
• Seek Thermal, Inc.
• Axis Communications AB

By Technology	By End User Industry	By Region
Cooled Infrared Imaging Uncooled Infrared Imaging	Industrial Commercial Healthcare Residential Aerospace and Defense	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Infrared Thermography Market, By Technology:

• Cooled Infrared Imaging
• Uncooled Infrared Imaging

• Infrared Thermography Market, By End User Industry:

• Industrial
• Commercial
• Healthcare
• Residential
• Aerospace and Defense

• Infrared Thermography 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