Mechanical Seals Market

Market Definition

The market encompasses the industry involved in the design, manufacturing, and distribution of mechanical sealing solutions used to prevent leakage in rotating equipment such as pumps, compressors, mixers, and turbines. 

The market includes diverse seal types, such as cartridge seals, component seals, and dry gas seals, engineered to withstand extreme pressures, temperatures, and corrosive environments. The report examines critical market drivers, industry trends, and regional analysis, along with the regulatory frameworks that will impact the pace of market growth over the forecast timeframe.

Mechanical Seals Market Overview

The global mechanical seals market size was valued at USD 4210.0 million in 2023 and is projected to grow from USD 4423.9 million in 2024 to USD 6633.8 million by 2031, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.96% during the forecast period. 

The expansion of the market is fueled by rising demand from industries including oil & gas, chemical processing, power generation, pharmaceuticals, and water treatment. As these sectors continue to expand, the need for efficient sealing solutions to prevent leakage in high-pressure, high-temperature, and corrosive environments becomes more critical, in turn driving the growth of the market.

Major companies operating in the mechanical seals industry are Garlock, an Enpro Inc. Company, Flowserve Corporation., A.W. Chesterton Company, Flexaseal Engineered Seals and Systems, LLC., SKF, Huhnseal AB, AESSEAL, John Crane, Trelleborg Group, Eagle Industry Co., Ltd, Federal-Mogul Friedberg GmbH, Micro Seals., Dover Corporation, Freudenberg SE, and QMSEALS Pvt Ltd.

Factors such as rising industrialization, advancements in sealing technology, and stringent environmental regulations promoting energy-efficient sealing solutions are contributing to market expansion. The demand is expected to rise further with the adoption of high-performance materials, smart sealing systems, and an increasing focus on predictive maintenance.

• In August 2024, Storagetech successfully completed a custom external floating roof mechanical seal order for Saudi Aramco Jubail Refinery Company (SASREF) in Saudi Arabia. The project involved the design, fabrication, and installation supervision of scissor-type primary, secondary, and fabric mechanical shoe seals for three large storage tanks, tailored to meet SASREF's specific tank configurations and operational needs.

Key Highlights

1. The mechanical seals industry size was recorded at USD 4210.0 million in 2023.
2. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.96% from 2024 to 2031.
3. North America held a market share of 35.95% in 2023, with a valuation of USD 1513.4 million.
4. The cartridge segment garnered USD 1047.5 million in revenue in 2023.
5. The metals & mining segment is expected to reach USD 1486.0 million by 2031.
6. The market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.81% during the forecast period.

Market Driver

Expansion of the Oil & Gas Sector

The rapid expansion of the oil & gas sectors globally is fueling the growth of the mechanical seals market. This is attributed to the industry's reliance on high-performance sealing solutions to enhance equipment reliability, safety, and efficiency. 

Rising global energy demand is boosting exploration and production, especially offshore and in deep-water environments, requiring advanced mechanical seals to withstand extreme conditions. Additionally, the increasing focus on refining and petrochemical processing is driving demand for sealing technologies that reduce leakage, lower maintenance costs, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations.

• In June 2024, John Crane secured a five-year dry gas seal repair contract by Karachaganak Petroleum Operating B.V. (KPO), one of the major oil and gas operators based in Kazakhstan. Under this contract, John Crane will provide comprehensive repair and maintenance services for dry gas seals, ensuring enhanced operational reliability and minimizing downtime for KPO’s critical equipment in the Karachaganak field.

Market Challenge

Wear and Tear Leading to Frequent Replacements

Mechanical seals are subjected to continuous wear and tear due to their exposure to high pressures, temperatures, and corrosive fluids in industrial applications. Moreover, friction, thermal expansion, and chemical degradation accelerate the deterioration of these seals, increasing maintenance costs and operational disruptions. 

To mitigate these challenges, key players are adopting advanced materials such as carbon composites, silicon carbide, and polymer-based coatings to enhance durability and resistance to extreme conditions. They are also implementing improved lubrication systems and optimized seal designs to reduce friction and thermal stress, thereby prolonging seal life. 

Regular condition monitoring and predictive maintenance using IoT-enabled sensors are being incorporated to detect early signs of wear, preventing unexpected failures and minimizing downtime.

Market Trend

Growing Demand for Dry Gas Seals

The demand for dry gas seals is increasing as industries look for efficient, reliable, and low-maintenance sealing solutions. These seals are particularly important in critical applications like compressors, turbines, and pumps in sectors such as oil and gas, power generation, and chemicals. 

Unlike traditional liquid-lubricated seals, dry gas seals use a thin gas film to create a non-contacting barrier. This design helps minimize wear, leakage, and energy consumption. Dry gas seals also operate effectively at high speeds and pressures, reducing friction, enhancing equipment lifespan, and lowering maintenance costs. 

Additionally, stricter environmental regulations aimed at reducing emissions and preventing fluid leaks are driving the adoption of dry gas seals to meet safety and performance standards.

• In February 2025, John Crane partnered with Franco Tosi Meccanica (FTM), a prominent Italian turbine manufacturer, to supply dry gas seals and a gas seal system for a pioneering supercritical CO₂ (sCO₂) pilot project under the EU-funded SOLARSCO₂OL initiative. This collaboration aims to develop an innovative, economically viable, and easily replicable sCO₂ power block to enhance the flexibility of concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.

Mechanical Seals Market Report Snapshot

Segmentation	Details
By Type	Cartridge, Balanced & Unbalanced, Spring-Loaded, Pusher & Non-pusher, Conventional, Others
By End Use Industry	Metals & Mining, Food & Beverages, Energy and Power, Aerospace, Marine, Construction, Others
By Region	North America: U.S., Canada, Mexico
	Europe: France, UK, Spain, Germany, Italy, Russia, Rest of Europe
	Asia-Pacific: China, Japan, India, Australia, ASEAN, South Korea, Rest of Asia-Pacific
	Middle East & Africa: Turkey, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Rest of Middle East & Africa
	South America: Brazil, Argentina, Rest of South America

Market Segmentation

• By Type (Cartridge, Balanced & Unbalanced, Spring-Loaded, Pusher & Non-pusher, Conventional, Others): The cartridge segment earned USD 1047.5 million in 2023 due to its ease of installation, reduced maintenance, and superior leakage control.
• By End Use Industry (Metals & Mining, Food & Beverages, Energy and Power, Aerospace, Marine, Construction, Others): The metals & mining segment held 22.44% of the market in 2023, due to the high demand for durable and efficient sealing solutions in harsh operating conditions.

Mechanical Seals Market Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global market has been classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America.

North America mechanical seals market share stood at around 35.95% in 2023, valued at USD 1513.4 million. This dominance is attributed to the presence of well-established industries, including oil & gas, chemical processing, and power generation that increase the demand for mechanical seals in this region. 

Moreover, continuous advancements in sealing technologies are further driving the market growth in North America. North America benefits from significant investments in infrastructure development. Additionally, stringent regulatory standards for emission control are driving the adoption of advanced sealing solutions in North America, in turn driving the growth of the market.

• In July 2024, Ergoseal, Inc. acquired Performance Sealing Solutions LLC (PSS) to strengthen its market position and expand its product portfolio. This acquisition aligns with Ergoseal’s growth strategy, enhancing its ability to serve global industries, including industrial, aerospace, and food & beverage sectors.

Asia-Pacific mechanical seals industry is likely to grow at a CAGR of 6.81% over the forecast period. The growth is fostered by rapid industrialization, expanding manufacturing sectors, and increasing infrastructure investments across countries like China, India, and Japan. 

The region's growing energy demand, coupled with the rising adoption of advanced sealing technologies in industries such as water treatment, pharmaceuticals, and chemical processing, is further fueling market expansion.

Regulatory Frameworks

• In the U.S., the American Petroleum Institute - API standard 682 regulation ensures the reliability and safety of mechanical seals in centrifugal and rotary pumps. This standardizes their design, testing, and application to minimize emissions and enhance operational efficiency in industries such as oil & gas and petrochemicals. Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) regulation ensures the reduction of hazardous emissions. It requires the monitoring, detection, and repair of leaks from equipment such as mechanical seals, valves, and pumps in industries handling volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs).
• The International Organization for Standardization - ISO 21049 regulation ensures the safe and efficient use of mechanical seals in pumps and compressors. It establishes standards for their design, testing, and application, enhancing reliability and reducing emissions in industries such as oil & gas, chemicals, and power generation.
• In the EU, the ATEX Directive 2014/34/EU ensures the safety of equipment used in potentially explosive atmospheres by regulating their design, testing, and certification to prevent ignition risks in industries such as oil & gas, chemicals, and mining.

Competitive Landscape

The global mechanical seals market is characterized by the presence of key industry players competing on innovation, product quality, and technological advancements. Leading companies focus on strategic partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, and research & development to enhance their market position and expand their product portfolios. 

Additionally, manufacturers are increasingly investing in sustainable and energy-efficient sealing solutions to meet environmental regulations and evolving industry demands. The market is also witnessing growing competition from regional players offering cost-effective alternatives, intensifying the need for continuous product innovation and customer-centric solutions.

• In December 2024, Sealmatic India Limited acquired the Abu Dhabi Economic License for its joint venture with High Technology FZ-LLC, resulting in the establishment of SEALTECH SEALS REPAIRS AND MAINTENANCE - L.L.C, a cutting-edge service center in Abu Dhabi.

List of Key Companies in Mechanical Seals Market:

• Garlock, an Enpro Inc. Company
• Flowserve Corporation.
• W. Chesterton Company
• Flexaseal Engineered Seals and Systems, LLC.
• SKF
• Huhnseal AB
• AESSEAL
• John Crane
• Trelleborg Group
• Eagle Industry Co., Ltd
• Federal-Mogul Friedberg GmbH
• Micro Seals.
• Dover Corporation
• ​​​Freudenberg SE
• QMSEALS Pvt Ltd.

Recent Developments (M&A/Partnerships/Agreements/New Product Launch)

• In January 2025, Sealmatic India Limited partnered with Fluite to serve the diverse needs of Russian industries while providing world-class mechanical sealing solutions.
• In November 2024, John Crane partnered with the University of Sheffield to advance high-performance sealing technologies for low-carbon and clean energy applications. As part of the collaboration, John Crane will fund two PhD projects focused on mechanical seals for high-pressure hydrogen storage and low-carbon technologies.
• In June 2024, Fugesco Inc. acquired the hydropower mechanical sealing assets of Fematics Canada Inc. to enhance its expertise in the global hydropower mechanical seals sector. 
• In October 2023, AESSEAL partnered with Torishima Co. Ltd., a leading Japanese pump manufacturer to enhance mechanical sealing solutions for pump systems, strengthening AESSEAL’s presence in Japan.