Motor Soft Starter Market Size, Share, and Industry Analysis By Voltage (Low and Medium), By Rated Power (Up to 750 W, 751 W–75 kW, and Above 75 kW), By Application (Pumps, Fans, and Compressors), By Industry (Oil & Gas, Water and Wastewater, Power Generation, and Mining), and Regional Forecast, 2025-2032

The global motor soft starter market is growing in a stable fashion with the advent of the adoption of energy-efficient solutions in industrial operations. A motor soft starter is an electrical device used together with AC electric motors to reduce load and torque during startup, as this improves mechanical performance and increases the life span of the equipment across industries such as manufacturing, HVAC, and water treatment.

• Approximately 12,000 soft starter installations for the HVAC systems were estimated in 2023, as reported by the U.S., specifically by the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy under the Department of Energy.

Motor soft starters are gaining fame in smart manufacturing and automation systems. They are used to ensure the smooth operation of motor control in industrial settings, enhance process safety, and boost processes along their road to digital transformation.

Motor Soft Starter Market Driver

Motor Soft Starters Drive Significant Market Growth

Motor soft starters have become increasingly popular due to their ability to ensure seamless startups and improved control in automated installations. As evidence, the National Institute of Standards and Technology noted 52 smart manufacturing implementations in the U.S. last year that utilized soft starters. Energy-efficiency concerns have also driven adoption, as shown by the U.S. Department of Energy numbers indicating 12,000 installations in HVAC systems during the same year. More companies in oil and gas are adopting soft starters due to increased demand for efficient control of heavy machine operations.

Motor Soft Starter Market Restraint

VFDs and Costs Limit Market Growth

Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) pose a serious challenge to the growth of the motor soft starter market due to their superior ability to control motor speed and save energy. The higher upfront costs often prevent small and medium-sized companies from adopting motor soft starters. They're unable to offer the precise speed control demanded by applications where high levels of accuracy are needed. These challenges combined make widespread acceptance of the product unlikely.

Motor Soft Starter Market Opportunity

Market Growth Driven By Industrialization, Innovation

The rapid industrialization of several nations in Asia provides lucrative prospects for the motor soft starter market, driven by manufacturers’ demand for improved control of their motors. Wind and solar energy projects are driving demand for motor soft starters in the field of power generation equipment. Furthermore, innovations in technology that allow soft starters to interact with smart systems and the Internet of Things are expanding their application possibilities and driving the market forward.

Segmentation

Key Insights

The report covers the following key insights:

• Installed Base of Industrial Automation Systems, By Key Countries
• Drivers, Restraints, Trends, and Opportunities
• Demand for HVAC, Mining, and Oil & Gas Applications, By Region
• Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players
• Key Industry Developments (Product Launches by Siemens, WEG, and AuCom Electronics)
• Overview: Regulatory Scenario Promoting Energy Efficiency and Industrial Safety

Analysis by Voltage

By voltage, the market is divided into low and medium.

The low voltage category would dominate in the Motor Soft Starter Market as this segment finds very widespread use in commercial and small-scale industrial applications. These soft starters for low-voltage motor applications are very common in places where the emphasis is placed more on cost-effective and easy installation, e.g., HVAC, pumps, and fans.

The medium voltage segment will register significant growth rates over the coming years, with increased implementations of high-capacity motors in heavy industries such as mining, oil and gas, and water treatment. Medium voltage soft starters are very crucial for large torque applications that are involved in large infrastructure projects.

Analysis by Rated Power

By rated power, the market is divided into up to 750 W, 751 W–75 kW, and above 75 kW.

The 751 W–75 kW segment is expected to dominate the market since it covers a variety of industrial applications such as fans, compressors, and pumps. This power range is preferred as the perfect harmony between performance and price across various sectors.

The above 75 kW segment would gain considerable growth potential due to the increasing demand from power-intensive industries such as power generation and oil &Gas. This segment is basically needed for the large mechanical load and continuous process application involving high-power motors.

Analysis by Application

By application, the market is divided into pumps, fans, and compressors.

The pump usage in motor soft starters is projected to dominate due to their widespread use to minimize the water hammer effect and mechanical stress on pump systems. Industries are agriculture, oil & gas, and water utilities.

The fans segment would register substantial growth due to augmented applications in commercial and industrial ventilation and cooling systems. Soft starters improve energy efficiency and prolong equipment life by limiting inrush current during startup.

Analysis by Industry

By industry, the market is divided into oil & gas, water and wastewater, power generation, and mining.

The oil & gas industry would usually attain dominance due to its heavy dependence on heavy machinery, which requires controlled motor startup. They soften starters to prevent mechanical wear and electrical stress, and hence accompany both upstream and downstream activities.

Power generation is expected to witness considerable growth due to increased installation of renewable energy generation systems as well as increased adoption of soft starters for large motors in conventional power plants. This segment benefits from reduced startup loads and smoother operation of auxiliary systems.

Regional Analysis

Based on geography, the market has been studied across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

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Due to rapid industrialization and infrastructure projects occurring in countries such as China, India, and Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific region will continue to dominate the motor soft starter market in the years to come. The limitation at present is the urbanization stemming from the demand for motor control solutions for manufacturing and construction. Very active economies create a situation where this is the fastest-growing market in the world.

North America holds an important market share for motor soft starters since manufacturers are comparatively established here, and since automation technologies have been adopted widely, especially in oil and gas, and industrial sectors. The region is on a steady growth curve with increased investments in energy-efficient motor systems. All these make it stand tall in innovation and early adoption.

Europe is poised for steady growth in the motor soft starter market, based on the region's focus on energy efficiency and sustainability. The modernization of aging industrial infrastructure and the enforcement of stringent energy regulations are further driving demand for soft starters in various applications, hence making the region an important one driving market growth.

Key Players Covered

The report includes the profiles of the following key players:

• Siemens (Germany)
• ABB (Switzerland)
• Rockwell Automation (U.S.)
• Motortronics (U.S.)
• Eaton (Ireland)
• Schneider Electric (France)
• Emerson Electric (U.S.)
• Crompton Greaves (India)
• WEG (Brazil)
• Danfoss (Denmark)

Key Industry Developments

• In January 2019, this series was launched by AuCom Electronics Ltd with the aim of providing a series of highly advanced low-voltage soft starters incorporating advanced motor control and protection features. This series supports enhanced reliability and performance in industrial motor applications. The EMX4 series is a strategic initiative to meet changing energy-efficient system needs.
• In February 2018, Siemens AG commenced the market introduction of the Sirius 3RW5 soft starter for the mild start of 3-phase asynchronous motors operating under harsh conditions. The product features high demands for performance and high demands for energy efficiency. It boasts a tough design suitable for diverse industrial applications.
• In June 2017, WEG SA introduced the SSW900 series of soft starters with great improvements in size, ease of installation, and motor compatibility. This accelerated the position of WEG SA as a trusted supplier of light motor controls. The product was said to have improved flexibility in industrial operations.