Vacuum Truck Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product Type (Liquid and Dry Suctioning, Liquid Suctioning Only), By Application (Industrial, Excavation, Municipal, General Cleaning, and Others), and Regional Forecast, 2023-2030

The global vacuum truck market size was valued at USD 1.76 billion in 2022. The market is projected to grow from USD 1.86 billion in 2023 to USD 3 billion by 2030, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.

The municipal corporations of various cities to effectively manage large-scale liquid and sludge clean up, majorly use vacuum trucks, or vacuum tankers. These trucks are most commonly used in the maintenance of sewer and septic systems. They can also be used in industrial and municipal settings to suction water and debris during hydro-excavation or drilling jobs. From clearing mud to exposing utility lines to prevent sewer system blockage, vacuum tankers meet the needs of cities and industries requiring environmental cleanup, storage tank upkeep, and waste management.

COVID-19 IMPACT

Drop in New Vehicles Sales amid COVID-19 Pandemic Hampered Market Growth

The pandemic caused immense uncertainty across the industry due to a breakdown in value & supply chain systems. Companies were already facing a huge cash crunch due to a lack of new orders during the pandemic. Thus, the supply chain crisis further affected their profit margins. The demand for automated vacuum tankers grew during this period as they provide a contactless solution for vacuum excavation. They also avoid the need for a companion worker during manual operation.

However, companies, such as Federal Signal and Alama Group saw a major decline of around 10-15% in their revenues due to the COVID-19 effect. In addition, vacuum, excavation, and sewer truck production was hampered or lowered during the pandemic due to lack of raw material availability and high import taxes.

Furthermore, in 2021, the emergence of different coronavirus variants, such as delta and omicron created a re-lockdown situation in several countries across the world. Such situations also delayed the industry's recovery during the pandemic. However, the sales of automated trucks grew considering the COVID-19 pandemic as they can increase the efficiency of vacuum excavation operations.

Relaxation in lockdown restrictions due to the significant reduction in coronavirus cases across the world and stabilization of economic growth in European and North American countries are expected to support the growth of this market in the post-COVID scenario. Moreover, leading Asia Pacific countries including China, Japan, South Korea, and India may also rebound progressively, showing more opportunities for the market’s growth. Thus, the market is expected to recover by 2022-2023.

LATEST TRENDS

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Rapidly Growing Alliances Between Construction Apparatus Vendors to Augment Market Development

The broad application of these trucks promotes can help companies expand their consumer base, and the increasing demand for labor-efficient trucks is fundamentally boosting the vacuum truck market growth. Moreover, with growing alliances between construction apparatus vendors and rental fleet owners, vacuum tankers are being developed and designed according to customer needs. Despite the present problems, the market is expected to recover, and stakeholders are hopeful about new areas for investment, thus aiding the expansion of the market.

• For instance, in December 2022, Heritage Transport, a U.S.-based transportation fleet affiliated with Heritage Environmental Services, acquired Frank’s Vacuum Truck Service, Inc. (FVTS), a trucking service provider based in Niagara Falls, N.Y.

DRIVING FACTORS

Increasing Need for Industrial Cleaning Applications to Boost Market Growth 

Industrial vacuum tankers, also known as vacuum loaders, are commonly used across the globe for cleaning slurries, liquid, and solid & dry wastages from problematic areas. These trucks are developed and designed using the input of consumers to tackle the most challenging dry or wet industrial liquids sludge or slurry cleaning applications. Moreover, multiple companies operating in the market are actively growing their industrial vacuum truck business by adopting various strategies.

For instance, in North America, hydrovac sales have seen significant growth for construction applications. These trucks break up the soil with high-pressure water, while the powerful vacuum system sucks and transports the debris into the debris tank. In addition, increasing the safety features of such vehicles and robust economic development in developing countries are propelling the market's growth. Furthermore, customers can access numerous models, choices, and offloading solutions to ensure the finest fit for cleaning applications. Thus, all these parameters are expected to contribute to the market growth.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Huge Demand for Labor-Efficient Trucks Can Restrain Industry Growth

One of the key challenges the market currently faces is the restraint of the downstream market. With a great demand for efficient vehicles and trucks abroad and at home, various key players began entering the labor-efficient vacuum tanker sector. In addition, limitations in the downstream market are expected to hinder the market's growth.

Additionally, reduced production capacity after the initial lockdown in 2020, semiconductor shortage in 2021, and high costs associated with the service and manufacturing of such trucks have collectively hampered the growth of the global vacuum truck industry. The decline in demand and supply is expected to restrict the expansion of the market.

SEGMENTATION 

By Product Type Analysis

Liquid & Dry Suctioning Products to Dominate Market Owing to Their Rising Adoption in Industrial Applications

Based on product type, the market is segmented into liquid & dry suctioning and liquid suctioning only.

The liquid & dry suctioning segment holds the largest market share globally. The growth of residential projects and their related waste management will propel the growth for liquid & dry suctioning segment in the current market. Moreover, vacuum truck manufacturing also actively innovating into liquid & dry suction vehicles, which will further boost the demand for the segment in coming years. The liquid suctioning-only segment will witness high CAGR during the forecast period due to rising water management projects and water plants and initiatives to preserve water. Moreover, rising liquid-based suctioning in the industrial, commercial, and oil industries will significantly help the segment grow in the coming years. The liquid & dry suctioning segments will have low growth & high penetration. The Liquid suctioning-only segment has high growth and low market penetration.

By Application Analysis

Industrial Application Segment to Hold Largest Market Share Due to Wide Range of Industrial Waste Generation and Need For Regular Cleaning

Based on application, the market is segmented into industrial, excavation, municipal, general cleaning, and others.

The industrial segment is anticipated to hold the maximum vacuum truck market share globally. The dominance can be attributed to various factors including rapid growth in the industrial sector across developing & developed countries. Wide ranges of industries use these trucks to effectively manage wastewater and sludge resulting from industrial operations. These factors will boost the market growth. Furthermore, the municipal segment is also expected to hold the second-largest share in the market, as there is an increasing need for cleaning municipal waste materials.

The flourishing construction sector in developed and developing countries is causing a surge in demand for vacuum tankers with high hauling capacity to boost cost-effectiveness. Excavation and general cleaning segments are also expected to hold a significant market share during the forecast period and record a considerable CAGR.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS 

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Europe is predicted to dominate the market during the forecast period. The region will likely lead the global market as an automotive hub as the yearly production of these trucks is increasing in European countries. The rising demand for these vehicles is attributed to the rapid increase in urbanization, improvement in the standard of living, and increasing adoption of these trucks in industrial applications. Moreover, the growing implementation of strong government initiatives and ongoing water treatment projects will likely boost the market's growth in the region during the forecast period.

The North America vacuum truck market holds the second-largest share with the rising presence of rental fleet owners and applications in industrial areas. Adequate cleaning policies in the U.S. and Canada are also responsible for the market's growth.

The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to show a healthy growth rate due to increasing demand for industrial slurry and sludge removal across the region. The APAC region is considered an automotive hub due to the increasing volume of vehicle production in Asian countries. The growing adoption of vital government initiatives and rising use of electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles are expected to promote the market’s development in the region during the forecast period.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Strong Portfolio of Key Players to Assist in Leading Market Growth

This market is consolidated due to the strong product portfolio and noteworthy distribution network of major companies in developed and developing countries.

KOKS United States Corporation has established itself as a top player in the market in terms of manufacturing vacuum tankers and heavy industrial cleaning equipment. It achieved this in thirty years and is said to be a global leader in safety, ergonomics, environment, and quality. It is operational in the U.S.A., the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, and Saudi Arabia. The key players are focusing on developing technologically advanced vehicles. For instance, KOKS U.S. produces such trucks that can work with contaminated and hazardous substances. These trucks are available in DOT 407/ 412, ASME, and ATEX standards and are built according to the relevant safety standards.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Federal Signal Corporation (U.S.)


• Vac-con Vacuum Trucks (U.S.)


• Keith Huber Corporation (U.S.)


• Sewer Equipment Co (U.S.)


• Alamo Group Inc (U.S.)


• KOKS (Netherlands)


• GapVax Inc. (U.S.)


• Dongzheng Special Purpose Vehicle Co. Ltd (China)


• CAPPELLOTTO S.P.A. (Italy)


• FULONGMA GROUP Co., Ltd (China)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• April 2023: Hercules Site Services added to its fleet of vacuum trucks by buying 10 new suction excavators, taking the fleet count to 30 units. These vehicles were purchased from German manufacturer RSP Gmbh and include the new premium ESE 8 model and two triple fan excavators.


• February 2023: Vac-Con introduced the non-CDL Titan 3-yard combination sewer cleaning truck at the 2023 Water & Wastewater Equipment, Treatment, & Transport Show (WWETT) in Indianapolis, Indiana. This premium model was said to be an ideal option for smaller municipalities and contractors. It consisted of a simple operating system that had been developed for operators of all skill levels to comfortably run the machine in the field.


• January 2023: The Great Bend City Council approved a purchase agreement worth USD 150,710.74 with a 48-month lease contract with First Kansas Bank to buy a 2023 Vac-Con Freightliner combination truck from Red Equipment LLC. These trucks suck water and other materials, enabling city crews to restore broken sewer lines and other water leaks. They are also utilized for routine hydro-excavating and cleaning duties.


• December 2022: Heritage Transport, a national transportation fleet affiliated with Heritage Environmental Services, acquired Frank’s Vacuum Truck Service, Inc. (FVTS), a trucking service provider based in Niagara Falls, N.Y.


• March 2022, Vac Con, Inc. announced the acquisition of the assets of Peirce-Eagle Equipment Company. Peirce-Eagle is one of the leading suppliers of Vac-Con-branded hydro-excavation, vacuum trucks, sewer cleaning, and jetting equipment in Northeastern U.S. The acquisition was likely to assist the company in expanding its business footprint.


• March 2021, Vac-Con launched its next-generation VecJet portfolio that consisted of trailer-mounted sewer jet units. Consumers can select options from 375-gallon or 750-gallon water capacity engines with gas and diesel as fuel options.

REPORT COVERAGE

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The market report provides detailed market analysis and focuses on key aspects, such as leading companies, product types, and leading product applications. Besides this, the report offers insights into the latest market trends and highlights key industry developments. In addition to the factors mentioned above, the report encompasses several factors that have contributed to the market's growth in recent years.

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