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Waterjet Cutting Machine Market

The market for Waterjet Cutting Machine was estimated at $1.8 billion in 2024; it is anticipated to increase to $2.5 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $3.3 billion by 2035.

Report ID:DS1401453
Author:Swarup Sahu - Senior Consultant
Published Date:
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Industrial Tools & Machinery
Production Tools & Equipment
Waterjet Cutting Machine
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Report Price: $4,200
Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents

Global Waterjet Cutting Machine Market Outlook

Revenue, 2024

$1.8B

Forecast, 2034

$3.1B

CAGR, 2025 - 2034

5.4%

The Waterjet Cutting Machine industry revenue is expected to be around $1.9 billion in 2025 and expected to showcase growth with 5.4% CAGR between 2025 and 2034. The waterjet cutting machine market will experience growth because manufacturers in automotive and metal fabrication sectors are using their funds to purchase high pressure waterjet systems and industrial cutting solutions which deliver precise cutting with minimal material loss and tight dimensional accuracy. The combined market share of automotive and metal fabrication industries reaches 53.2% of worldwide end use demand because their requirement for processing intricate body in white structures and powertrain components and heavy gauge fabrication parts makes waterjet technology essential for flexible production lines.

A contemporary waterjet cutting machine unites high pressure pumps with precision orifices and advanced CNC control to create a flexible system which performs pure water and abrasive waterjet cutting operations on various materials including metals and composites and glass and stone and ceramics and engineered plastics while producing thin kerfs with excellent edge quality. The manufacturing process includes three essential features which combine CNC waterjet cutting automation with multi axis cutting heads and robotic or gantry based motion systems to perform multiple cutting operations while reducing production steps and supporting both small batch and large batch production. The current market trends which create product demand stem from automotive manufacturers using waterjet cutting machines to process lightweight alloys and mixed material stacks and from manufacturers who want sustainable machining with minimal heat damage and complete water recycling systems and improved abrasive usage efficiency and from manufacturers who use sensors and remote monitoring systems and data analysis tools to enhance their factory operations.

Waterjet Cutting Machine market outlook with forecast trends, drivers, opportunities, supply chain, and competition 2024-2034
Waterjet Cutting Machine Market Outlook

Market Key Insights

  • The Waterjet Cutting Machine market is projected to grow from $1.8 billion in 2024 to $3.1 billion in 2034. This represents a CAGR of 5.4%, reflecting rising demand across Foam Cutting, Exotic Metal Cutting, and Ceramic Stone Cutting.

  • The market competition stems from three major companies which include Flow International and OMAX and Hypertherm Inc.

  • The Waterjet Cutting Machine market depends on the United States and China as its leading customer bases which will experience growth at rates between 3.5% and 5.2% from 2024 to 2030.

  • The market research predicts that India, Brazil and Vietnam will experience the most significant growth among emerging markets at a combined annual rate of 6.2% to 7.5%.

  • Smart Integrated Systems as Transition operates at a higher level of influence within the U.S. and Chinese market value chains which will generate $55 million of new value for the Waterjet Cutting Machine industry throughout 2030.

    .

  • The Waterjet Cutting Machine market will experience $1.3 billion growth during 2024 to 2034 because manufacturers focus on cutting exotic metals and non-traditional materials and ceramic and stone materials.

  • With

    growing need for precision cutting in advanced materials and automation boosting global waterjet cutting machine investments, and

    Increasing sustainability regulations favoring cold-cutting processes and waste reduction in industrial waterjet cutting machine operations, Waterjet Cutting Machine market to expand 69% between 2024 and 2034.

waterjet cutting machine market size with pie charts of major and emerging country share, CAGR, trends for 2025 and 2032
Waterjet Cutting Machine - Country Share Analysis

Opportunities in the Waterjet Cutting Machine

The fabrication and job shops located in India and Southeast Asia operate to serve construction and automotive and rail and consumer durables contracts through plasma and mechanical cutting methods. Stainless and aluminum and stone customers who need better precision and less heat damage during their work process should consider using affordable abrasive waterjet tables. The worldwide market for abrasive waterjet equipment will also expand from $0.28 billion in 2024 to $0.41 billion during the period from 2024 to 2030 which will create favorable conditions for entry level abrasive machines to penetrate regional job shops.

Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific

The North American waterjet cutting machine market operates mainly because aerospace & defense and precision metal fabrication industries need abrasive waterjet cutting and high pressure waterjet systems to process advanced alloys and composite materials without thermal distortion. The market competition remains strong because users who have advanced technology skills choose to buy complete CNC waterjet cutter systems with automated cells and digital tracking systems which makes it difficult for new entrants to join the market with basic equipment while companies must focus on developing software and ensuring product reliability and extended product support. The company should focus on developing high performance machines which operate with perfect reliability and include automated water control systems and specialized cutting tools for aerospace and defense applications and service packages which combine maintenance services with process enhancement and operator training to establish enduring customer bonds.
The Asia Pacific region shows increasing demand for waterjet cutting machine solutions because automotive and electronics production facilities are growing their operations which need adaptable waterjet cutting systems to process different materials including metals and glass and ceramics for EV development and small electronic component manufacturing. The market segment shows two opposing trends because regional manufacturers maintain their price competitiveness yet customers increasingly want advanced imported systems which operate in automated production lines and fulfill strict quality standards for export markets. The company should create flexible mid range platforms which serve high throughput shops and provide localized engineering assistance and specialized packages for body in white components and battery modules and consumer electronics casings and architectural stone and glass products to help users boost their productivity while controlling their total cost of ownership.

Market Dynamics and Supply Chain

01

Driver: Growing need for precision cutting in advanced materials and automation boosting global waterjet cutting machine investments

The manufacturing sector of aerospace components and automotive production and high end electronic devices now demands waterjet cutting machines which can also precisely cut advanced materials including composites and titanium because these materials become damaged when exposed to heat. The process of abrasive waterjet cutting produces edges without burrs while maintaining precise dimensions and it causes minimal micro cracking without creating a heat affected zone which makes it suitable for complex composite material shapes and thin metal sheet processing. The development of waterjet technology has also accelerated because automation technology now enables the creation of complete industrial cutting systems. The current CNC waterjet cutting platforms operate with multi axis heads and intelligent nesting software and robotic loading systems which allow them to run production operations automatically without human intervention. The automated system reduces operational expenses while minimizing waste and shortening setup durations which makes it easier to justify spending on advanced waterjet cutting machines for metal and glass and stone processing operations.

Manufacturers must also adopt clean cold cutting technologies because environmental and workplace safety regulations have also become more stringent which also creates market demand for all waterjet cutting machines. The process of abrasive waterjet cutting produces no fumes and no heat affected zones while it generates minimal airborne particles which makes it easier to follow regulations in controlled manufacturing spaces. The implementation of closed loop water treatment systems and sludge handling and abrasive recycling systems enables better freshwater usage and waste reduction which results in decreased operating expenses throughout the equipments operational period. The implementation of sustainability audits and lifecycle reporting as industry standards makes precision cutting with waterjet systems the preferred choice for regulated industries because of their eco efficient capabilities.

02

Restraint: Escalating equipment and maintenance costs restrain adoption of advanced waterjet cutting machines among SMEs globally

Industrial grade waterjet cutting machines require high initial costs which together with expensive pumps and intensifiers and continuous abrasive waterjet cutting consumables prevent small and mid sized metal fabrication businesses from acquiring modern systems; businesses either postpone their purchases or select used industrial cutting machines or they select plasma and laser cutting tools which reduces new equipment sales and extends equipment replacement periods and reduces total market revenue expansion in areas which should generate increased sales volume.

03

Opportunity: Growing demand from aerospace composite and titanium machining among United States and European component manufacturers and Expanding hygienic food processing and packaging lines in Japan increasing adoption of pure waterjet cutting solutions

The aerospaceindustry'soriginal equipment manufacturers and their first and second tier suppliers now produce more composite materials and engine components while requiring perfect cutting of nickel and titanium alloys. The abrasive waterjet machines operate to achieve precise dimensions while producing parts without heat damage which results in lower waste materials and fewer necessary reprocessing steps. The worldwide abrasive system market produced $0.28 billion in 2024 and experts predict it will expand to $0.41 billion during 2030 while maintaining a 7.72% annual growth rate. The market segment which will experience the most significant expansion includes automated abrasive waterjet cells that process aerospace materials including metals and composites.

The Japanese market transition toward ready to eat meals and plant based products and confectionery has forced processors to perform delicate operations which must prevent contamination while keeping product losses to a minimum. Pure waterjet systems fulfill all hygiene requirements while allowing users to make fast product changes between their short production runs. The worldwide market value for pure waterjet cutters amounts to $1.46 billion during 2024 and analysts predict this segment will expand to $1.97 billion by 2030 at a 4.96% annual growth rate. Japanese factories operating food slicing and portioning lines should implement pure waterjet machines as their primary machine adoption.

04

Challenge: Shortage of skilled operators and programming expertise limits productivity and ROI from high precision waterjet systems

The operation of advanced CNC waterjet systems with precision cutting technology depends on skilled programmers and operators who need to create optimal cutting routes and handle complicated materials while keeping operations running without interruptions. The shortage of skilled workers in various areas together with increasing employee compensation costs forces users to operate their waterjet cutting machines at reduced capacity which results in delayed delivery times and forces them to use basic cutting techniques. The current situation forces users to reduce their waterjet cutting machine usage which results in decreased consumable usage and reduced service revenue and delayed adoption of new systems in automotive and aerospace and general metal fabrication industries.

Supply Chain Landscape

1

Core Components

KMT Waterjet SystemsHypertherm Inc.
2

Waterjet Machine Manufacturing

Flow International CorporationOMAX CorporationJet Edge Inc.
3

Sales & Service

Flow International CorporationHypertherm Inc.
4

End-User

AutomotiveAerospaceMetal Fabrication
Waterjet Cutting Machine - Supply Chain

Use Cases of Waterjet Cutting Machine in Foam & Exotic Metal

Foam Cutting : The main tool which manufacturers use for foam product cutting consists of pure water jet cutters because waterjet cutting machines with high pressure waterjet streams enable fast and precise cutting of soft materials including foams and gaskets and packaging materials without heat damage or edge deterioration which meets requirements for automotive interior components and cushioning elements in a market that achieved 0.51 billion dollars in 2025 revenue and expects 5.2% annual growth until 2030. The three pure water jet cutters which make up 84.72% of total demand by provide users with a precise narrow cut and enable them to achieve complex sheet layouts which optimize production efficiency and minimize waste during continuous manufacturing operations. The market requires Flow International Corporation and OMAX Corporation to provide CNC waterjet systems which include user friendly controls and flexible gantry sizes for multi head lines. The market depends on Jet Edge Inc. for its production of robust continuous duty equipment which enables high throughput industrial cutting solutions in large foam plants that serve both automotive and electronics industries throughout a market segment valued at 0.30 billion in 2025 with 6.2% annual growth until 2030.
Exotic Metal Cutting : The waterjet cutting machine operates with abrasive water jet cutters as its preferred configuration for exotic metal and non traditional material processing because these machines use high pressure waterjet streams with abrasive media to cut titanium and Inconel and hardened steels and carbon fiber composites without thermal distortion which benefits aerospace and defense components that generate $0.26 billion in 2025 revenue with a projected 6.5% annual growth rate until 2030 and advanced automotive powertrain and chassis parts. The total market demand by shows abrasive water jet cutters at 15.28% yet these machines maintain their position as high end precision cutting tools which deliver precise parts with smooth edges and minimal material waste for enhanced manufacturing efficiency. The market leaders Flow International Corporation and Hypertherm Inc. provide integrated motion control systems and high output pumps and 5 axis waterjet cutting heads which enable complex geometry processing. The metal fabrication industry uses KMT Waterjet Systems intensifier pumps as their main component for building custom exotic metal cells in a market that will reach 0.46 billion in 2025 with 5.3% annual growth.
Ceramic Stone Cutting : The waterjet cutting machine operates as an abrasive water jet system for ceramic and stone cutting applications which uses garnet laden streams to create profiles of porcelain tiles and engineered stone and natural granite without significant chipping. The cold cutting process suits high end construction and specialized metal fabrication workshops because it produces decorative inlays and countertops and architectural facades. The abrasive water jet cutters perform complex curved cuts and internal cuts during one operation which results in lower material damage and tool deterioration than mechanical sawing methods. The market for technical ceramics and glass substrates will drive electronics manufacturers to buy more fine jet configurations which will help their revenue reach 0.30 billion in 2025 while their market expands at 6.2% per year. Flow International Corporation maintains its market leadership through its ability to produce large format tables which stone shops need and its advanced contouring technology. The company OMAX Corporation serves smaller and mid sized fabricators through its production of compact CNC waterjet systems which deliver high precision cutting performance. The company Jet Edge Inc. operates as a leading manufacturer of heavy duty equipment which performs well with thick slab materials in challenging operational settings. The application region benefits from KMT Waterjet Systems and Hypertherm Inc. because they deliver dependable high pressure components and control systems which enable operators to achieve stable cut results and extended production time.

Recent Developments

The waterjet cutting machine market shows increasing usage of high pressure ultra precise cutting systems because manufacturers need these systems for their advanced manufacturing operations in aerospace and automotive and electronics industries. The combination of CNC waterjet technology with automated systems and robotic equipment enables better production efficiency and enhanced precision and better material usage for processing metals and their combination with composites and ceramics and glass materials. The market shows increasing interest in environmentally friendly cold cutting methods which prevent heat related product damage while minimizing dangerous waste production.

September 2024 : Major waterjet cutting machine producers from across the world presented their new CNC waterjet systems which combine IoT monitoring with automated material handling and high pressure waterjet pumps at major metalworking shows to enhance industrial cutting precision in aerospace and automotive and heavy fabrication industries.
November 2023 : The global market for waterjet cutting machines expanded because equipment manufacturers introduced new entry level waterjet cutting machines which combined closed loop water recycling with basic 5 axis waterjet functionality at reduced costs for small and medium sized fabrication facilities. The new equipment expanded the worldwide user base of cold cutting technology which now reaches more metal and stone and glass and composite material processing facilities.

Impact of Industry Transitions on the Waterjet Cutting Machine Market

As a core segment of the Production Tools & Equipment industry, the Waterjet Cutting Machine market develops in line with broader industry shifts. Over recent years, transitions such as Smart Integrated Systems and Sustainable Precision Manufacturing have redefined priorities across the Production Tools & Equipment sector, influencing how the Waterjet Cutting Machine market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics. These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01

Smart Integrated Systems

The factory floor now uses CNC waterjet systems which have replaced standalone cutting units because manufacturers want complete network connectivity for their waterjet cutting machines. The system integrates with CAD/CAM software and real time monitoring and automated material handling systems which allow the process to run without human intervention while maintaining precise control. The production of automotive metal parts now includes connected waterjet cells which perform sequential cutting operations on body panels and brackets and battery housing components while aerospace facilities integrate nesting software with production planning systems to achieve lower scrap rates and faster changeovers for their high mix low volume industrial cutting needs.

02

Sustainable Precision Manufacturing

The waterjet cutting machine market follows environmental priorities which drive manufacturers to develop sustainable cutting technologies that minimize resource consumption and create innovative application solutions. Manufacturers can reduce their operating expenses while following new environmental standards because of three main technological improvements which include abrasive waterjet cutting and closed loop water filtration and energy efficient ultra high pressure pumps. The architectural glass and stone industry now uses garnet and water to create environmentally friendly projects through their shop operations. The food processing industry uses pure water jets to cut products without blades which reduces contamination risks and packaging waste and supports corporate sustainability goals.