The cryocooler market was valued at USD 3.48 billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 4.90 billion by 2030, registering a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.
Scope of the Report
Years Considered for the Study
2021-2030
Base Year
2024
Forecast Period
2025-2030
Units Considered
Value (USD Billion)
Segments
By Cryocooler Type, Offering, Heat Exchanger, Operating Cycle, Tempreature Range, and Application
Regions covered
North America, Europe, APAC, RoW
The growth of cryocoolers is driven by rising adoption in satellite launches, space exploration, and defense applications, supported by government investments, technological advancements in cooling efficiency, and the growing need for cryogenic temperatures in quantum computing and medical imaging systems.
"Power conditioning unit in hardware type to grow at highest CAGR during forecast period"
By hardware type, the power conditioning unit segment is expected to witness the highest CAGR in the cryocooler market during the forecast period due to its critical role in ensuring stable and efficient power delivery for sensitive cryogenic systems. These units help regulate voltage fluctuations, minimize electrical noise, and protect delicate components from power disturbances, which is essential for vibration-sensitive applications such as space instruments, infrared sensors, and quantum computing devices. As cryocoolers find broader use in defense, aerospace, and medical imaging, the demand for a reliable and continuous power supply is becoming a key driver of adoption. Furthermore, integration with advanced control electronics and compact system designs is driving the requirement for reliable power conditioning solutions, ensuring long-term operational stability and enhanced performance of cryocooler systems.
"Pulse-tube cryocoolers segment accounted for significant share of cryocooler market in 2024"
By cryocooler type, the pulse-tube cryocoolers segment is estimated to account for a significant share of the overall cryocooler market in 2024 due to their ability to deliver high reliability, long operational life, and low vibration, making them suitable for satellite and space applications. These systems are increasingly being adopted for cooling infrared sensors, superconducting devices, and space telescopes, where vibration-sensitive instruments require stable performance. The growing demand for compact and maintenance-free cryocoolers in defense and aerospace missions is accelerating adoption, as these solutions ensure consistent cooling without mechanical wear. Furthermore, integration with advanced electronics, thermal management systems, and miniaturized payloads is driving their use in next-generation satellites and surveillance programs. These features ensure stable, efficient, and durable cryogenic performance, contributing to the increasing preference for pulse-tube technology in critical aerospace and defense applications.
"Closed-loop cycle to register higher CAGR in cryocooler market between 2025 and 2030"
The closed-loop cycle segment is projected to register the highest CAGR in the cryocooler market during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to rising adoption in medical imaging equipment, growing demand for efficient cooling in superconducting magnets, and the increasing focus on energy-efficient cryogenic systems. Closed-loop cryocoolers enable continuous and stable cooling performance without the need for frequent refilling, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime. Furthermore, their ability to handle variable cooling loads makes them suitable for applications in MRI machines, cryogenic research, and emerging quantum technologies. The integration of closed-loop systems with automated controls and advanced thermal management solutions further enhances reliability and scalability, significantly contributing to market growth.
Extensive primary interviews were conducted with key industry experts in the cryocooler market space to determine and verify the market size for various segments and subsegments gathered through secondary research. The breakdown of primary participants for the report is shown below.
The study contains insights from various industry experts, from component suppliers to Tier 1 companies and OEMs. The break-up of the primaries is as follows:
By Company Type - Tier 1 - 20%, Tier 2 - 35%, Tier 3 - 45%
By Reion - North America - 45%, Europe -25%, Asia Pacific - 20%, RoW - 10%
The cryocooler market is dominated by a few globally established players, such as Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Thales (France), AMETEK.Inc. (US), Edwards Vacuum (UK), and Chart Industries, Inc. (US).
The study includes an in-depth competitive analysis of these key players in the cryocooler market, with their company profiles, recent developments, and key market strategies.
Research Coverage:
The report segments the cryocooler market and forecasts its size by application (military, medical, commercial, environmental, energy, transport, research & development, space, agriculture & biology, mining & metal, other applications), offering (hardware, services), heat exchanger type (recuperative heat exchanger, regenerative heat exchanger), temperature range (1k-50k, 50k-150k, above 150k), operating range (open-loop cycle, closed-loop cycle), type (Gifford-McMahon Cryocoolers, Pulse-tube Cryocoolers, Stirling Cryocoolers, Joule Thomson Cryocoolers, Brayton Cryocoolers). It also discusses the market's drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges. It gives a detailed view of the market across the regions (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, RoW). The report includes a supply chain analysis of the key players and their competitive analysis in the cryocooler ecosystem.
Key Benefits of Buying the Report:
Analysis of key drivers (Accelerating demand in aerospace and defense catalyzes sustained cryocooler adoption, Quantum computing expansion necessitates advanced low-temperature thermal management solutions, Healthcare transformation fuels helium-free MRI adoption across global institutions), restraint (High capital intensity constrains scalability across cost-sensitive customer segments, Complex maintenance cycles elevate operational expenditure and adoption hesitancy), opportunities (Quantum computing scale-up driving sub-4K pre-cooler demand surges, Rapid commercialization of small satellites generates demand for miniaturized cryocoolers), challenges (Geopolitical risks destabilize specialized component sourcing across critical region, Balancing performance and cost metrics complicates commercial-scale market entry)
Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights into upcoming technologies, research and development activities, and new product launches in the cryocooler market
Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets - the report analyses the cryocooler market across varied regions.
Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the cryocooler market
Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market shares, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players, such as Sumitomo Heavy Industries, Ltd. (Japan), Thales (France), AMETEK.Inc. (US), Edwards Vacuum (UK), and Chart Industries, Inc. (US), among others, in the cryocooler market
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1 STUDY OBJECTIVES
1.2 MARKET DEFINITION
1.3 STUDY SCOPE
1.3.1 MARKETS COVERED
1.3.2 INCLUSIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
1.3.3 YEARS CONSIDERED
1.4 CURRENCY CONSIDERED
1.5 UNIT CONSIDERED
1.6 LIMITATIONS
1.7 STAKEHOLDERS
1.8 SUMMARY OF CHANGES
2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 RESEARCH APPROACH
2.2.1 SECONDARY DATA
2.2.1.1 List of major secondary sources
2.2.1.2 Key data from secondary sources
2.2.2 PRIMARY DATA
2.2.2.1 Breakdown of primaries
2.2.2.2 Key participants in interviews
2.2.2.3 Key data from primary sources
2.2.2.4 Key industry insights
2.3 FACTOR ANALYSIS
2.3.1 SUPPLY-SIDE ANALYSIS
2.3.2 DEMAND-SIDE ANALYSIS
2.4 MARKET SIZE ESTIMATION METHODOLOGY
2.4.1 BOTTOM-UP APPROACH
2.4.1.1 Approach to arrive at market size using bottom-up analysis (demand side)
2.4.2 TOP-DOWN APPROACH
2.4.2.1 Approach to arrive at market size using top-down approach (supply side)
2.5 DATA TRIANGULATION
2.6 RESEARCH LIMITATIONS
2.7 RISK ANALYSIS
3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4 PREMIUM INSIGHTS
4.1 ATTRACTIVE GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR PLAYERS IN CRYOCOOLER MARKET
4.2 CRYOCOOLER MARKET, BY OPERATING CYCLE
4.3 CRYOCOOLER MARKET, BY TEMPERATURE RANGE
4.4 CRYOCOOLER MARKET, BY HARDWARE TYPE
4.5 CRYOCOOLER MARKET IN ASIA PACIFIC, BY COUNTRY
4.6 CRYOCOOLER MARKET, BY REGION
4.7 CRYOCOOLER MARKET, BY GEOGRAPHY
5 MARKET OVERVIEW
5.1 INTRODUCTION
5.2 MARKET DYNAMICS
5.2.1 DRIVERS
5.2.1.1 Accelerating cryocooler demand from aerospace & defense sector
5.2.1.2 Surging adoption of quantum computing technology
5.2.1.3 Escalating demand for helium-free MRI systems by healthcare providers
5.2.2 RESTRAINTS
5.2.2.1 Low adoption in cost-sensitive markets due to high upfront costs and extended payback
5.2.2.2 Maintenance-driven expenditure and workforce skill gaps
5.2.3 OPPORTUNITIES
5.2.3.1 Emergence of sub-4K pre-coolers tailored for quantum data centers