Injection Molding Machines Market Size, Share, Growth & Forecast 2025-2033

The injection molding machines market is experiencing rapid growth, driven by surge in electric vehicle (EV) lightweighting, expansion of the medical device industry, and e-commerce and sustainable packaging demands. According to IMARC Group’s latest research publication, “Injection Molding Machines Market Report by Machine Type (Hydraulic, Electric, Hybrid), Material (Plastics, Metals, and Others), Application (Automotive, Consumer Goods, Packaging, Electronics, and Others), and Region 2025-2033”, the global injection molding machines market size reached USD 12.3 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 18.5 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 4.42% during 2025-2033.

This detailed analysis primarily encompasses industry size, business trends, market share, key growth factors, and regional forecasts. The report offers a comprehensive overview and integrates research findings, market assessments, and data from different sources. It also includes pivotal market dynamics like drivers and challenges, while also highlighting growth opportunities, financial insights, technological improvements, emerging trends, and innovations. Besides this, the report provides regional market evaluation, along with a competitive landscape analysis.

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Our report includes:

• Market Dynamics
• Market Trends and Market Outlook
• Competitive Analysis
• Industry Segmentation
• Strategic Recommendations

Growth Factor in the Injection Molding Machines Market

• Surge in Electric Vehicle (EV) Lightweighting

The automotive sector is a primary engine for the injection molding machines market, particularly as manufacturers transition toward electric mobility. Electric vehicles require significant weight reduction to offset the heavy mass of battery packs and extend driving range. This necessity has triggered a massive shift from traditional metal components to high-performance, injection-molded plastics. Automakers now utilize specialized machinery to produce intricate battery housings, interior structural panels, and under-the-hood thermal management systems. For instance, the International Energy Agency noted that electric car sales reached 3.5 million in a single recent year, representing a 35% increase from the prior period. This rapid adoption forces Tier 1 suppliers to invest in high-tonnage and multi-component molding machines that can handle engineering-grade polymers. By replacing metal with plastic, manufacturers can reduce component weight by nearly 50% while maintaining the structural integrity required for modern safety standards and energy efficiency goals.

• Expansion of the Medical Device Industry

Post-pandemic healthcare strategies have permanently increased the demand for precision injection-molded components, particularly single-use disposables and diagnostic tools. The medical sector requires machines capable of operating within ISO-certified cleanroom environments to produce items like syringes, pipettes, and diagnostic cartridges. Government initiatives, such as India’s Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for medical devices, have spurred local manufacturing and the acquisition of advanced molding technology. In the United States, the medical device injection molding segment was recently valued at over $9 billion, reflecting the critical role of high-volume, repeatable manufacturing in patient care. Furthermore, the aging global demographic and the rise in chronic diseases sustain a continuous need for orthopedic instruments and drug delivery systems. Consequently, machine manufacturers are prioritizing the development of all-electric units that offer the extreme precision and sterile operation necessary to meet rigorous biocompatibility and regulatory standards across international healthcare markets.

• E-commerce and Sustainable Packaging Demands

The global explosion of e-commerce has fundamentally altered the packaging landscape, driving the need for durable, lightweight, and standardized protective formats. Online retailers increasingly rely on injection-molded trays, inserts, and closures to ensure products survive the complex logistics of last-mile delivery. Simultaneously, environmental regulations are pushing the industry toward a circular economy, mandating the use of recycled and bio-based resins. In the United States, extended producer responsibility (EPR) fees, projected to reach billions of dollars, act as a catalyst for manufacturers to upgrade to machines capable of processing post-consumer recycled (PCR) content. Modern machines now feature advanced screw designs and control systems that can handle the inconsistent melt flows associated with recycled materials. This dual pressure—the need for high-throughput e-commerce packaging and the shift toward sustainable material compliance—is forcing packaging companies to replace legacy equipment with more versatile and energy-efficient injection molding solutions.

Key Trends in the Injection Molding Machines Market

• Integration of Industry 4.0 and AI

Modern injection molding facilities are transforming into smart factories where machines function as interconnected nodes. Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are now used to monitor real-time variables such as melt temperature, injection pressure, and cooling rates. These systems use predictive maintenance algorithms to identify potential component failures before they occur, significantly reducing unplanned downtime. AI-driven vision systems are also being integrated directly into the machine’s cycle to detect microscopic surface defects or dimensional inaccuracies that human operators might miss. This trend toward "lights-out" manufacturing allows for 24/7 production with minimal human intervention, ensuring that every part meets exact specifications. By utilizing digital twins, engineers can simulate the entire molding process virtually, optimizing mold designs and cycle times before a single ounce of plastic is actually injected into a physical tool.

• Transition to All-Electric and Hybrid Machinery

Sustainability and operational costs are driving a clear trend away from traditional hydraulic systems toward all-electric and hybrid injection molding machines. Electric machines offer superior energy efficiency, often consuming 30% to 50% less power than their hydraulic counterparts, which is critical as global energy prices fluctuate. These machines provide exceptional repeatability and faster cycle times because they allow for simultaneous movements, such as opening the mold while the screw is plasticizing the next shot. In sectors like electronics and medical devices, where "zero-defect" production is the goal, the precision of servo-motor control is a decisive advantage. Additionally, all-electric machines eliminate the risk of oil contamination, making them the preferred choice for cleanroom applications. Manufacturers are increasingly marketing these units as "ESG-compliant" solutions that help companies meet carbon reduction targets while lowering the total cost of ownership per part.

• Adoption of Multi-Material and Micro-Molding

As consumer electronics and medical implants become smaller and more complex, there is a rising trend in micro-molding and multi-component injection (also known as 2K or overmolding). This technology allows manufacturers to combine two different materials—such as a rigid plastic frame with a soft-touch rubber grip—in a single machine cycle. This eliminates the need for secondary assembly steps, reducing labor costs and potential points of failure in the finished product. In the electronics sector, the push for miniaturized sensors and wearable devices requires machines capable of injecting incredibly small shot weights with micron-level accuracy. High-end resins like PEEK and PEI are frequently used in these processes due to their superior heat and chemical resistance. This trend is particularly evident in the production of smartphones and medical diagnostic equipment, where integrated functionality and extreme space constraints dictate the use of highly specialized, multi-material molding techniques.

Leading Companies Operating in the Injection Molding Machines Industry:

• Arburg GmbH + Co. KG
• Chen Hsong Holdings Limited
• Engel Holding Gesellschaft mbH
• Haitian International
• Japan Steel Works Ltd.
• KraussMaffei (China National Chemical Corporation)
• Milacron Holdings Corp. (Hillenbrand Inc.)
• Nissei Plastic Industrial Co. Ltd.
• Shibaura Machine Co. Ltd.
• Sumitomo Heavy Industries Ltd.
• Toyo Machinery & Metal Co. Ltd.
• Ube Machinery Corporation Ltd. (Ube Industries Ltd.)

Injection Molding Machines Market Report Segmentation:

By Machine Type:

• Hydraulic
• Electric
• Hybrid

Hydraulic machines dominate the market due to their robustness and ability to exert high clamping forces, making them ideal for large and heavy parts in industries like automotive and aerospace.

By Material:

• Plastics
• Metals
• Others

Plastics hold the largest market share, driven by consumer demand across various sectors and the increased use of plastics in healthcare and PPE during the COVID-19 pandemic.

By Application:

• Automotive
• Consumer Goods
• Packaging
• Electronics
• Others

Automotive leads the market, fueled by the industry’s focus on lightweight components to enhance fuel efficiency and the growing demand for specialized parts in electric and hybrid vehicles.

Regional Insights:

• 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 exhibits the largest market share for injection molding machines, reflecting strong demand and significant industrial activity across the region.

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