Waterjet Cutting Machines Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Abrasive Waterjet Cutting Machines, Pure Waterjet Cutting Machines), By Technology (Robotic Waterjet Cutting Machines, 3D Waterjet Cutting Machines, Micro Waterjet Cutting Machines, Others), By Application (Automotive, Aerospace & Defense, Metal Fabrication, Electronics, Healthcare, Others), By Region & Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.88 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.61%
Fastest Growing Segment	Abrasive Waterjet Cutting Machines
Largest Market	North America
Market Size (2031)	USD 2.92 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Waterjet Cutting Machines Market will grow from USD 1.88 Billion in 2025 to USD 2.92 Billion by 2031 at a 7.61% CAGR. Waterjet cutting machines are industrial tools that utilize a high-pressure stream of water, often mixed with abrasive particles, to erode and sever a wide variety of materials ranging from metals to stone without generating heat. The market’s growth is primarily supported by the technology’s ability to perform cold cutting, which eliminates heat-affected zones and preserves material integrity, alongside its exceptional versatility in handling diverse material thicknesses for the aerospace and automotive sectors. According to the Association for Manufacturing Technology, in 2024, new orders for metalworking machinery, a category encompassing advanced cutting systems, reached $450.6 million in the month of September, indicating sustained demand for precision fabrication equipment.

However, one significant challenge impeding market expansion is the high operational and maintenance cost associated with these machines, particularly the frequent replacement of high-pressure components like nozzles and seals. These recurring expenses can significantly increase the total cost of ownership, potentially deterring cost-sensitive small and medium-sized enterprises from adopting the technology despite its operational benefits.

Key Market Drivers

Accelerating adoption in the automotive industry for electric vehicle (EV) and composite part fabrication stands as a primary catalyst for the Global Waterjet Cutting Machines Market. As manufacturers transition from internal combustion engines, they increasingly require cold cutting processes to machine lightweight carbon fiber reinforced plastics without causing delamination or thermal damage. This shift is driven by the massive scale of electrification; according to the International Energy Agency, April 2025, in the 'Global EV Outlook 2025', a total of 17.3 million electric cars were produced worldwide in 2024, creating a substantial requirement for precision fabrication tools capable of preserving material integrity.

The critical need for high-precision machining of heat-sensitive aerospace alloys and composites further propels market expansion. Aerospace entities prioritize waterjet systems to shape titanium and composite fuselage components because the technology eliminates heat-affected zones, ensuring compliance with stringent safety standards. This demand is underscored by robust production rates; according to Economy Middle East, January 2025, in the 'Boeing vs. Airbus: How 2024 delivery challenges widened the gap' article, Airbus delivered 766 commercial aircraft in 2024, necessitating continuous investment in advanced cutting capacity. Reflecting the broader equipment demand supporting these sectors, according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology, in 2025, new orders of metalworking machinery totaled $387.3 million in July, indicating ongoing capital expenditure in fabrication technologies.

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Key Market Challenges

The substantial operational and maintenance expenses inherent to waterjet cutting technology constitute a formidable barrier to broader market adoption. Unlike alternative cutting methods, waterjet systems require the frequent replacement of high-pressure components, such as focusing tubes, orifices, and seals, which are subject to intense wear from abrasive materials. These recurring consumable costs significantly elevate the total cost of ownership, creating a continuous financial burden that is particularly acute for small and medium-sized enterprises with limited capital reserves. Consequently, potential end-users often delay or forego procurement, opting for less capital-intensive alternatives despite the functional advantages of waterjet precision.

This financial strain directly correlates with fluctuations in capital equipment investment, as manufacturers become increasingly hesitant to commit to high-maintenance assets during periods of economic scrutiny. This market sensitivity is reflected in recent industrial transaction figures. According to AMT – The Association For Manufacturing Technology, in October 2024, new orders for manufacturing technology, which includes metalworking machinery, totaled $385 million, representing a 14.5 percent decrease from the preceding month. Such a contraction in order volume underscores how ongoing operational expense concerns can dampen demand, effectively restricting the technology’s expansion into cost-sensitive industrial segments.

Key Market Trends

Integration of Robotic Automation and Smart Factory Connectivity is reshaping the market as manufacturers seek to decouple production capacity from labor availability. Waterjet cutting heads are increasingly mounted on articulated robotic arms to enable the high-speed trimming of non-planar surfaces such as automotive dashboards and molded composite liners. This convergence with Industry 4.0 allows for real-time monitoring of pump pressure and abrasive flow, facilitating remote diagnostics and uninterrupted operation. The scale of this industrial shift is evident in global deployment figures, as according to the International Federation of Robotics, September 2024, in the 'World Robotics 2024' report, the operational stock of industrial robots globally reached a record 4,281,585 units, reflecting the broader manufacturing mandate to automate complex fabrication processes like multi-axis cutting.

Widespread Adoption of 5-Axis and 3D Cutting Technology is gaining momentum to address the geometric limitations of traditional flat-stock machining. Unlike standard two-axis systems, modern 5-axis cutting heads dynamically tilt to compensate for stream lag and taper, ensuring precise bevels and intricate 3D contours required for structural components. This technological capability is becoming indispensable as fabricators face stricter tolerance requirements for complex assemblies. This trajectory is supported by sectoral investment patterns, and according to the Association for Manufacturing Technology, August 2024, in the 'U.S. Manufacturing Technology Orders' report, orders from the aerospace sector in the first half of 2024 rose to the highest number of units since the first half of 2018, underscoring the critical need for advanced machinery capable of handling sophisticated fabrication tasks.

Segmental Insights

The Abrasive Waterjet Cutting Machines segment represents the fastest growing category in the global market due to its distinct capability for processing hard materials such as metals, stone, and reinforced composites. Unlike pure waterjet alternatives, this technology employs abrasive particles to erode dense substances without causing thermal distortion, thereby maintaining strict material properties. This advantage drives significant adoption within the automotive and aerospace sectors, where structural integrity is critical for component fabrication. Consequently, industrial manufacturers increasingly prioritize abrasive systems to execute complex shaping tasks effectively, securing the segment as the primary driver of market expansion.

Regional Insights

North America maintains a dominant position in the global waterjet cutting machines market due to the widespread integration of automated technologies within the aerospace and automotive manufacturing sectors. The region prefers cold-cutting processes that ensure material integrity without heat-induced distortion. Furthermore, stringent workplace safety regulations enforced by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration promote the adoption of waterjet systems, as they significantly reduce hazardous fumes and airborne dust compared to thermal cutting alternatives. This combination of industrial demand and regulatory compliance underscores the market leadership of the region.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, TCI Cutting finalized a distribution agreement with SteelPoint Machine Tool to market its waterjet cutting machines throughout North America. The partnership targets key industrial regions, including Texas, Ohio, and Illinois, by combining TCI Cutting's ultra-high-pressure technology with SteelPoint's established sales and support network. The agreement focuses on delivering versatile cutting solutions capable of handling various materials and thicknesses with high precision. This initiative aligns with the company's strategy to strengthen its presence in the United States and provide robust industrial automation and digitalization solutions to the manufacturing sector.
• In November 2024, Hypertherm Associates entered into a strategic partnership with BLM GROUP to expand the market reach of their respective industrial technologies. The collaboration involves the integration of Hypertherm’s plasma and waterjet cutting products with BLM GROUP’s laser cutting and tube bending systems. As part of the agreement, Hypertherm Associates acquired a minority stake in the Italian machinery manufacturer. The partnership aims to leverage the combined expertise of both entities to offer comprehensive, integrated manufacturing solutions to customers across North America and Europe, enhancing efficiency in metal processing operations.
• In September 2024, Flow International Corporation unveiled the Mach 150 waterjet system during the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago. Designed as a turnkey solution for entry-level users, the machine offers high-performance cutting technology within a value-focused price range. The system features a rigid steel construction and a fully enclosed design, ensuring clean and quiet operation suitable for diverse manufacturing environments. This launch was part of the company's 50th-anniversary celebrations, emphasizing a commitment to making precision waterjet technology more accessible to businesses looking to scale their production capabilities intelligently.
• In June 2024, WAZER announced the launch of the WAZER Pro, a new advanced waterjet system designed to bring industrial-grade cutting capabilities to workshops with a compact footprint. This machine was engineered to cut through materials such as aluminum, steel, glass, and tile at significantly faster speeds than the company's previous desktop models. The product release focused on providing a universal digital cutting tool that enables engineers and manufacturers to produce precision parts in-house, thereby reducing the need for outsourcing. The system incorporates enhancements in power and efficiency to support a wider range of fabrication tasks.

Key Market Players

• Flow International Corporation
• Kennametal Inc.
• Wardjet Inc.
• Jet Edge Holdings Limited
• Koike Aronson, Inc.
• Resato International BV
• Hornet Cutting Systems
• Hypertherm Inc
• Techni Waterjet Pty Ltd
• BFT GmbH

By Type	By Technology	By Application	By Region
Abrasive Waterjet Cutting Machines Pure Waterjet Cutting Machines	Robotic Waterjet Cutting Machines 3D Waterjet Cutting Machines Micro Waterjet Cutting Machines Others	Automotive Aerospace & Defense Metal Fabrication Electronics Healthcare Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Waterjet Cutting Machines Market, By Type:

• Abrasive Waterjet Cutting Machines
• Pure Waterjet Cutting Machines

• Waterjet Cutting Machines Market, By Technology:

• Robotic Waterjet Cutting Machines
• 3D Waterjet Cutting Machines
• Micro Waterjet Cutting Machines
• Others

• Waterjet Cutting Machines Market, By Application:

• Automotive
• Aerospace & Defense
• Metal Fabrication
• Electronics
• Healthcare
• Others

• Waterjet Cutting Machines 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