Tunnel Boring Machine Market

Global Tunnel Boring Machine Market:

The global tunnel boring machine market size reached USD 6.0 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 8.1 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.48% during 2025-2033. Rising demand for urban infrastructure, increasing investment in transportation projects, and advancements in tunneling technology are some of the key factors driving the market growth.

Tunnel Boring Machine Market Analysis:

• Major Market Drivers: The increasing utilization of tunnel boring machines (TMBs) in the mining industry, along with new innovations in rock-cutting technology, is primarily driving the market. Moreover, governments of several countries are extensively investing in infrastructural development, which is augmenting the application of TBMs in the water pipeline, hydropower, and oil and gas pipeline projects.
• Key Market Trends: Rising awareness about the advantages of TBMs, such as high specific gravity and viscosity and stability under high pressure, is creating a positive outlook for the overall market. Furthermore, the growing trend of tunnel automation is acting as another significant trend, bolstering the market growth.
• Competitive Landscape: Some of the leading tunnel boring machine market companies include Akkerman Inc., China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited, China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co. Ltd. (China Railway Hi-Tech Industry Corporation Limited), Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry Group Co. Ltd., Herrenknecht AG, Hitachi Zosen Corporation, IHI Corporation, Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd., Komatsu Ltd., Northern Heavy Industries Group Co. Ltd., and Sika AG, among others.
• Geographical Trends: According to the report, Asia-Pacific currently dominates the global market. The region is experiencing a boom in infrastructure, with major projects in India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Moreover, the rising number of metro and transit expansion projects across the region is also contributing to the market growth.
• Challenges and Opportunities: Challenges in the tunnel boring machine market include the high initial investment costs and technical complexities associated with tunneling in varied geological conditions. However, opportunities arise from the growing demand for underground infrastructure globally, driven by urbanization and transportation needs, fostering innovation and market expansion.

Tunnel Boring Machine Market Trends:

Growing Number of Transportation Projects

The government authorities of several countries are extensively investing in transportation development projects like highways and roadways, which is creating a positive outlook for the overall market. For instance, the Government of India aims to develop a national highway network of 200,000 km by 2025. The government is expected to spend about Rs 17 trillion on highway development. Moreover, the task force on the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) highlighted a total capital investment of Rs 20.34 trillion for the sector by 2025. Similarly, the Hampton Roads Bridge-Tunnel Expansion Project, United States, slated at US$ 3.8 Billion, is anticipated to be completed by November 2025. The project is aimed at widening the current four-lane segments along nearly ten miles of the I-64 corridor in Norfolk and Hampton, with new twin tunnels across the harbor. The increasing funding by the government authorities of various nations for roadways and highway development is anticipated to propel the tunnel boring machine market demand in the coming years.

Increasing Product Offerings

Various key market players are launching TBMs tailored to different geological conditions, project requirements, and environmental considerations, thereby offering clients a broader range of options to suit their specific needs. This, in turn, is positively impacting the market growth. For instance, in June 2022, Epiroc expanded its digital solutions portfolio within the construction industry with the launch of Mobilaris Tunneling Intelligence. The new tunneling portfolio increases safety levels while improving productivity. Moreover, in January 2024, Chennai Metro Rail Ltd launched a tunnel boring machine named Eagle from Light House metro station towards the Boat Club station. Eagle is expected to arrive at Boat Club station in October 2026. Similarly, in February 2024, HS2 launched the third TBM named Emily, weighing around 1,700 tons, to build a new railway between London and Birmingham. The introduction of TBMs with improved efficiencies and features is projected to bolster the tunnel boring machine market revenue in the coming years.

Rising Application in Mining and Oil and Gas Industries

Tunnel boring machines are widely used to create access tunnels and shafts in underground mining operations, facilitating the extraction of minerals and ores. Moreover, they enable safer and more efficient excavation, particularly in hard rock or unstable geological conditions, reducing the risk to miners and improving productivity. Rising mining activities and increasing investments in mining equipment are anticipated to propel the tunnel boring machine market share over the forecast period. For instance, in September 2022, China announced it had approved a new 15GW of coal power generation capacity in H1 2022 with a total investment of US$ 26-30 Billion. Similarly, in November 2021, Coal India Limited, India's national coal mining company, announced an investment of INR 40-50000 crores (US$ 4.8 - 6 Billion) for CAPEX in the next five years. Most of this CAPEX will be utilized for coal production and evacuation. A significant rise in the mining industry is positively impacting the tunnel boring machine market outlook.

Global Tunnel Boring Machine Industry Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the global tunnel boring machine market report, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels from 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on machine type, product type, application, and end user.

Breakup by Machine Type:

• Slurry TBM
• Earth Pressure Balance Shield TBM
• Shielded TBM
• Multi-Mode TBM
• Others
   

Slurry TBM currently exhibits a clear dominance in the market

The tunnel boring machine market report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the machine type. This includes slurry TBM, earth pressure balance shield TBM, shielded TBM, multi-mode TBM, and others. According to the report, slurry TBM currently exhibits a clear dominance in the market.

A slurry tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a specialized type of TBM used for excavating tunnels in soft ground conditions, such as clay, silt, sand, and gravel. It operates by mixing excavated soil with a bentonite or polymer-based slurry, which helps stabilize the tunnel face and transport the excavated material back to the surface. The slurry also provides support to prevent tunnel collapse. Slurry TBMs include their ability to work efficiently in unstable ground conditions, reduced groundwater inflow into the tunnel, and the potential for continuous operation. They are commonly used in projects such as subway tunnels, sewer tunnels, and underwater tunnels, where ground conditions require additional stabilization and support during excavation.

Breakup by Product Type:

• Soft Ground TBM
• Hard Ground TBM
   

Hard ground TBM accounts for the majority of the global market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the product type. This includes soft ground TBM and hard ground TBM. According to the report, hard ground TBM accounts for the majority of the global market share.

A hard ground tunnel boring machine (TBM) is specifically designed to excavate through dense and rocky formations, such as granite, basalt, or hard limestone. These TBMs employ robust cutterheads with disc cutters or roller cutters, reinforced with tungsten carbide or other hard materials, to effectively break through hard rock formations. Hard ground TBM offers increased efficiency and reduced wear on cutting tools compared to traditional drilling methods. They are extensively used in the construction of transportation tunnels, water supply tunnels, and underground infrastructure projects, enabling faster and more cost-effective excavation in challenging geological conditions.

Breakup by Application:

• Traffic Tunneling
• Utility Tunneling
   

Traffic tunneling currently exhibits a clear dominance in the market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the application. This includes traffic tunneling and utility tunneling. According to the report, traffic tunneling currently exhibits a clear dominance in the market.

A traffic tunneling TBM is a specialized excavation tool designed for creating underground passages for vehicular traffic. These machines reduce surface disruption, minimize traffic congestion during construction, and offer enhanced safety compared to traditional methods. These machines are used in urban areas for constructing road tunnels, bypasses, and underground highways, facilitating smoother transportation flow and improving overall urban mobility. Moreover, the increasing number of highway and roadway construction projects and the expanding underground railway networks are further propelling the tunnel boring machine market’s recent price. For instance, in June 2023, Delhi Metro initiated the phase IV project with the "Bhoomi" Tunnel Boring Machine. The TBM commenced operations from Derawal Nagar to Pulbangash on Line 8.

Breakup by End User:

• Road Transport
• Railway Transport
• Metro and Transit
• Utilities
• Mining
• Oil and Gas
• Others
   

Metro and transit holds the largest market share

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the end user. This includes road transport, railway transport, metro and transit, utilities, mining, oil and gas, and others. According to the report, metro and transit holds the largest market share.

Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are essential in metro and transit projects for excavating underground passages efficiently and safely. They enable the construction of subway tunnels, underground stations, and transit corridors with minimal surface disruption. Additionally, as per the tunnel boring machine market statistics by IMARC, the rising number of metro expansion projects across the globe is bolstering the growth of this segment. For instance, Ahmedabad is expanding its metro rail network to connect Thaltej to Manipur and Shilaj to Motera, integrating upcoming infrastructure projects for the city's Olympic bid. The expansion will cover areas like Bopal, Shela, Ghuma, and surrounding areas, with feeder buses introduced in western areas. Besides this, TBMs are increasingly being favored for metro and transit projects as they contribute to sustainable urban development by reducing the environmental impact associated with surface-level construction activities.

Breakup by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Indonesia
  • Others
• Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Others
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Others
• Middle East and Africa
   

Asia-Pacific currently dominates the global market

The report has provided a detailed breakup and analysis of the market based on the region. This includes North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, Asia-Pacific currently dominates the global market.

Asia-Pacific is experiencing a boom in infrastructure, with major projects in India, China, Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. For instance, the end of 2023 marked the opening of several new metro lines and extensions in cities across China, including the 23.3km Line 19 in Wuhan. Similarly, in March 2024, the Prime Minister of India inaugurated Kolkata’s underwater metro tunnel, along with multiple metro and connectivity projects across India. Moreover, Vietnam is also planning to replace the bus rapid transit (BRT) system in Hanoi with new metro rail lines. The tunnel boring machine market overview indicates that such initiatives by the government authorities of various Asia-Pacific countries are anticipated to propel the growth of the market in the coming years.

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the following key players:

• Akkerman Inc.
• China Railway Construction Heavy Industry Corporation Limited
• China Railway Engineering Equipment Group Co. Ltd. (China Railway Hi-Tech Industry Corporation Limited)
• Dalian Huarui Heavy Industry Group Co. Ltd.
• Herrenknecht AG
• Hitachi Zosen Corporation
• IHI Corporation
• Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd.
• Komatsu Ltd.
• Northern Heavy Industries Group Co. Ltd.
• Sika AG
   

(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)

Tunnel Boring Machine Market Recent Developments:

• January 2024: Chennai Metro Rail Ltd launched a tunnel boring machine named Eagle from Light House metro station towards the Boat Club station. Eagle is expected to arrive at Boat Club station in October 2026.
• February 2024: HS2 launched the third TBM named Emily, weighing around 1,700 tons, to build a new railway between London and Birmingham.
• July 2023: Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) launched a tunnel boring machine for the construction of Head Race Tunnel-1. 

Global Tunnel Boring Machine Market Report Scope:

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report offers a comprehensive quantitative analysis of various market segments, historical and current market trends, market forecasts, and dynamics of the tunnel boring machine market from 2019-2033.
• The research study provides the latest information on the market drivers, challenges, and opportunities in the global tunnel boring machine market.
• The study maps the leading, as well as the fastest-growing, regional markets. It further enables stakeholders to identify the key country-level markets within each region.
• Porter's five forces analysis assist stakeholders in assessing the impact of new entrants, competitive rivalry, supplier power, buyer power, and the threat of substitution. It helps stakeholders to analyze the level of competition within the tunnel boring machine industry and its attractiveness.
• Competitive landscape allows stakeholders to understand their competitive environment and provides an insight into the current positions of key players in the market.