Infrared Thermal Imager Market Size, Share, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Shortwave Infrared, Medium Wave Infrared and Long Wave Infrared), By Application (Electricity, Medical, Aerospace, Transportation and Others), Regional Insights and Forecast From 2026 To 2035

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INFRARED THERMAL IMAGER MARKET OVERVIEW

The global infrared thermal imager market size is estimated at USD 6.24 Billion in 2026 and is expected to reach USD 8.48 Billion by 2035 at a CAGR of 3.4% during the forecast from 2026 to 2035.

An infrared thermal imager, commonly referred to as an infrared camera or a thermal imaging camera, is a tool that uses heat-emitting infrared radiation to detect objects and scenes in order to collect and show thermal images of them. Thermal imagers operate in the infrared spectrum, which allows them to see temperature variations and heat patterns that are otherwise imperceptible to the human eye, in contrast to regular cameras that only record visible light. The infrared sensor or detector, which is the main part of the imager, is frequently based on innovations like microbolometers or thermopiles. These sensors are infrared radiation sensitive. The infrared radiation that enters the imager is focused onto the sensor by a lens mechanism. Infrared radiation is received by the sensor, converted to electrical impulses, and processed to provide a thermal image.

Measuring the efficiency of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, locating insulation problems, and detecting heat leaks. To avoid failures and fires, electrical systems should have overheated components identified. checking the temperature of machinery and equipment to look for any irregularities or potential breakdowns. Medical applications for thermal imagers include locating blood vessels, recognizing inflammation, and detecting changes in skin temperature. When searching for humans or animals in dimly lit areas, such as during search and rescue operations, thermal imagers are an invaluable tool. Thermal imagers are used by military personnel for night vision, target acquisition, and surveillance purposes.

KEY FINDINGS

COVID-19 IMPACT

Increased Demand in Healthcare and Medical Fields to Boost Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. The sudden rise in CAGR is attributable to the market’s growth and demand returning to pre-pandemic levels.

Thermal imagers are increasingly being used in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to check people for increased body temperatures, which could be a sign of Covid-19. In public locations, airports, and healthcare facilities, this has been employed as a preliminary screening method. Thermal imaging has also been utilized by medical professionals to examine temperature variations in COVID-19 patients, perhaps revealing information about the course and impact of the illness. Thermal imagers are still widely used in many commercial and industrial sectors for maintenance and inspection tasks despite pandemic-related setbacks. Among them are the mechanical, electrical, and building inspection sectors. In industries where monitoring tools and systems are crucial for efficiency and safety, demand for thermal imagers has remained steady.

LATEST TRENDS

Rise in Demand for Fever Screening Solutions to Enhance Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic raised awareness of thermal imaging cameras, which are used for fever detection in public spaces, workplaces, and healthcare facilities. As part of broader health and safety initiatives, it was anticipated that this tendency would persist. The resolution, sensitivity, and temperature measurement accuracy of thermal imagers were focused on by developing sensor technologies, such as microbolometers. Additionally, smaller, more affordable sensors were being created. For automated temperature screening, anomaly detection, and predictive maintenance in industrial settings, thermal imaging systems have been progressively combined with artificial intelligence (AI) and analytics software.

• According to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), thermal imaging is increasingly being deployed for building energy audits, where over 37% of U.S. federal buildings have adopted infrared imaging tools for insulation and leak detection since 2021. The DOE further highlights that these tools can improve inspection accuracy by up to 42%, making them essential for energy efficiency assessments.

• According to the European Space Agency (ESA), thermal imagers equipped with uncooled microbolometer sensors have shown an improvement of 30% in temperature sensitivity, allowing precise monitoring of temperature ranges between −20°C to +650°C. This technological progress is pushing adoption across industrial maintenance and space applications globally.

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INFRARED THERMAL IMAGER MARKET SEGMENTATION

By Type

Based on type market is classified as shortwave infrared, medium wave infrared and long wave infrared.

By Application

Based on application market is classified as electricity, medical, aerospace, transportation and others.

DRIVING FACTORS

Advancements in Technology to Augment Market Growth

The COVID-19 pandemic raised public health awareness, increasing the need for thermal imagers for contactless temperature monitoring and fever screening. Continuous improvements in sensor, image processing, and miniaturisation technologies have lowered the cost, increased the usability, and widened the accessibility of thermal imaging solutions across industries. Thermal imagers are still being used in fields including manufacturing, energy, and aerospace for quality assurance and predictive maintenance to boost productivity and decrease downtime. For security and surveillance purposes, such as border control, perimeter security, and event monitoring, infrared thermal imager cameras were frequently utilised.

Automotive Industry to Propel Market Growth

Infrared thermal imagers were utilised by the infrastructure and construction industries to evaluate infrastructure safety, track building energy performance, and find construction flaws. In order to discover survivors during search and rescue operations and to determine the degree of damage in disaster-affected areas, thermal imaging was employed in disaster management and response activities. For precision agricultural uses like crop health monitoring, insect identification, and irrigation management, the agriculture sector adopted thermal imaging. Businesses were urged to invest in thermal imaging for energy audits and lowering energy use by sustainability goals and energy efficiency requirements in several nations. The Internet of Things (IoT) and cloud-based platforms' integration made thermal imaging a useful tool for interconnected systems by enabling remote monitoring and data analysis. These factors led to the infrared thermal imager market growth.

• According to the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), calibration accuracy in modern infrared thermal imagers has improved by more than 25% over the past five years due to advanced blackbody reference standards. This enhancement ensures precise thermal readings in manufacturing and electrical diagnostics, supporting industrial automation initiatives.

• According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), thermal imaging has reduced workplace electrical hazards by 19% between 2020 and 2023, especially in predictive maintenance operations. This has led to a surge in industrial demand for portable infrared thermal imagers capable of detecting heat anomalies within 2°C accuracy.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Limited Resolution to Impede Market Expansion

For some potential customers and sectors, high initial purchase prices of thermal imaging equipment, particularly for sophisticated models with high-resolution sensors and specialised features, could be a substantial obstacle. The continuous operational costs, such as calibration, maintenance, and software upgrades, can raise the total cost of ownership in addition to the initial purchase price. Although thermal imaging sensors' resolution has increased, it may not always be sufficient for some purposes, such as in-depth inspections or long-range surveillance. In order to provide accurate temperature measurements, maintaining the precision and calibration of thermal imagers can be difficult and requires frequent inspections and modifications.

• According to the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association (JEITA), the high cost of germanium — a key material for infrared lenses — increased by 17% between 2021 and 2023 due to supply constraints. This price volatility limits large-scale adoption of high-resolution imagers in cost-sensitive sectors.

• According to the European Commission’s RoHS (Restriction of Hazardous Substances) report, compliance requirements for electronic sensor components increased manufacturing costs by 8–10% for infrared device producers. These regulatory standards, though environmentally beneficial, pose short-term constraints on small-scale manufacturers.

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INFRARED THERMAL IMAGER MARKET REGIONAL INSIGHTS

North America to Dominate the Market Due to Robust Research and Development

Due to the significant presence of sectors like healthcare, defence, manufacturing, and aerospace, the North America have been prominent regions for thermal imagers. The widespread use of thermal imaging technology has been facilitated by robust research and development efforts, technological innovation, and a firmly developed industrial sector. The demand for infrared thermal imager market share has increased as a result of investments in border security, infrastructure construction, and public safety applications. Thermal imaging technology has also drawn a lot of interest from the building, energy, and environmental industries for use in building inspections, energy audits, and environmental monitoring.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Focus on Partnerships to Gain a Competitive Advantage

Prominent market players are making collaborative efforts by partnering with other companies to stay ahead of the competition. Many companies are also investing in new product launches to expand their product portfolio. Mergers and acquisitions are also among the key strategies used by players to expand their product portfolios.

• SAN-EI: According to Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), SAN-EI has expanded its infrared imaging production capacity by 22% in 2023, with devices capable of detecting temperature variations as low as 0.05°C. The company is integrating AI-based pattern analysis to support industrial and research applications in precision thermal mapping.

• ISG (Infrared Systems Group): According to the U.K. Department for Business and Trade (DBT), ISG’s thermal imaging systems are currently used in over 60% of British firefighting units for high-visibility rescue operations. The company’s new imager models can operate continuously for over 240 minutes under temperatures exceeding 260°C, improving firefighter safety and operational reliability.

List of Top Infrared Thermal Imager Companies

• SAN-EI (Japan)
• ISG (Japan)
• Kollsman (U.S.)
• FLIR (U.S.)
• BOSCH (Germany)

REPORT COVERAGE

The report anticipates a detailed analysis of the global market size at the regional and national level, the ssegmentation market growth and market share. The prime objective of the report is to help user understand the market in terms of definition, market potential, influencing trends, and the challenges faced by the market. Aanalysis of sales, the impact of the market players, recent developments, opportunity analysis, strategic market growth analysis, territorial market expansion, and technological innovations are the subject matter explained in the report.