Process Automation Market Forecasts to 2032 - Global Analysis By Offering (Hardware, Software/Systems, and Services), Communication Protocol (Wired Protocols, and Wireless Protocols), Deployment Type, End User, and By Geography

According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Process Automation Market is accounted for $122.1 billion in 2025 and is expected to reach $186.0 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period. The process automation market automates enterprise workflows using software, RPA, BPM platforms, and AI to streamline repetitive tasks, standardize decisions, and accelerate throughput. Solutions span end-to-end process orchestration, task automation, and analytics that reveal inefficiencies. Industries adopt automation to reduce cost, improve compliance, and free staff for higher-value work. Successful deployments combine strong governance, change management, and integration with legacy systems.

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

Increasing adoption of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation initiatives

The primary driver for the process automation market is the accelerating adoption of Industry 4.0 and digital transformation initiatives across industrial sectors. Companies are aggressively integrating IoT, AI, and data analytics into their operations to establish smart factories. The pursuit of enhanced operational efficiency, superior product quality, and minimized human error fundamentally drives this shift. Additionally, companies feel the pressure to invest a lot in automation solutions because they need to see data in real-time and predict when maintenance is needed to stay ahead in a fast-changing industry.

Restraint:

High initial investment and implementation costs

A significant barrier to widespread adoption is the high initial investment and implementation costs associated with process automation systems. This includes not only the substantial capital outlay for sophisticated hardware and software but also the expenses related to system integration, workforce training, and potential operational downtime during deployment. Consequently, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) often perceive these upfront costs prohibitive, which can slow market penetration. Additionally, the long return-on-investment period creates budgetary challenges and necessitates careful financial justification for many potential adopters.

Opportunity:

Development of cloud-based solutions and as-a-service models

A substantial market opportunity lies in the development and proliferation of cloud-based solutions and as-a-service models. These services make it much easier for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to afford automation by turning big upfront costs into smaller, regular payments. Moreover, cloud platforms facilitate seamless scalability, remote monitoring, and easier updates, which are highly attractive features. This shift towards subscription-based pricing is opening new revenue streams for vendors and accelerating the digital transformation of cost-sensitive industries globally.

Threat:

Economic volatility affecting capital investments

The market faces a persistent threat from global economic volatility, which can severely impact capital investments. In periods of economic uncertainty or recession, businesses often defer or cancel large-scale capital-intensive projects, including automation upgrades, to preserve cash flow. This cyclicality can lead to delayed purchasing decisions and reduced order volumes for automation providers. Additionally, issues like problems in the supply chain, rising prices, and global conflicts can make this instability worse, leading to an unpredictable environment for investments that can harm market growth.

Covid-19 Impact:

The COVID-19 pandemic initially disrupted the process automation market through supply chain halts and project delays. However, it ultimately acted as a powerful catalyst by exposing the vulnerabilities of human-dependent operations. The crisis accelerated the adoption of automation as industries sought to ensure business continuity, maintain social distancing, and mitigate future workforce disruptions. This incident has led to a sustained strategic pivot towards resilient, unmanned production environments, thereby fueling long-term demand for automation solutions across various sectors beyond the initial pandemic phase.

The hardware segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period

The hardware segment is expected to account for the largest market share during the forecast period, attributed to its irreplaceable physical role in automation ecosystems. This category includes essential components like sensors, controllers, robots, and final control elements, which form the foundational layer of any automated process. The continued expansion and modernization of manufacturing and process industries globally necessitate substantial, recurring investments in this robust hardware infrastructure. Moreover, the critical need for precise data acquisition and physical actuation in industrial environments ensures hardware remains the largest and most fundamental revenue contributor.

The wireless protocols segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period

Over the forecast period, the wireless protocols segment is predicted to witness the highest growth rate, driven by the industry's strong push towards flexible and scalable IIoT connectivity. Wireless solutions, such as Wi-Fi 6, 5G, and LoRaWAN, significantly reduce installation and maintenance complexities compared to traditional wired systems, thereby lowering overall costs. They make it easy to connect many different mobile and remote sensors and devices, which is important for advanced data analysis and smart factory use and helps drive growth in modern automation projects.

Region with largest share:

During the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is expected to hold the largest market share. The massive manufacturing footprint of China, India, Japan, and South Korea anchors this leadership. The region is a global industrial hub, with governments actively promoting industrial automation through initiatives like "Made in China 2025." Additionally, the strong emphasis on making production more efficient, higher labor costs, and large investments in industries like automotive, electronics, and chemicals are all contributing to a significant and ongoing need for process automation solutions in this area.

Region with highest CAGR:

Over the forecast period, the Asia Pacific region is also anticipated to exhibit the highest CAGR. Rapid industrialization, aggressive digital transformation, and increasing foreign direct investments in emerging economies like India and Southeast Asian nations fuel this accelerated growth. Additionally, the region's strong governmental support for smart manufacturing and the ongoing migration of production facilities are creating a fertile ground for new automation projects. The expanding base of SMEs beginning their automation journeys further contributes to the region's exceptional growth potential compared to more mature markets.

Key players in the market

Some of the key players in Process Automation Market include Siemens AG, ABB Ltd., Schneider Electric SE, Honeywell International Inc., Emerson Electric Co., Rockwell Automation, Inc., Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Yokogawa Electric Corporation, Omron Corporation, General Electric Company, Bosch Rexroth AG, Fuji Electric Co., Ltd., Delta Electronics, Inc., Phoenix Contact GmbH & Co. KG, Beckhoff Automation GmbH & Co. KG, Aspen Technology, Inc., AVEVA Group plc, and Endress+Hauser AG.

Key Developments:

In November 2025, Siemens released TIA Portal V21 to combine engineering efficiency with higher plant availability in process automation.

In October 2025, Schneider Electric SE showcased open software-defined automation and robotics at Teknologia 25, emphasising software-defined automation and process-industry use cases.

In October 2025, Siemens and rhobot.ai launched an edge-native AI solution available on Siemens Xcelerator digital marketplace for real-time optimization and sustainable manufacturing, demonstrated by successful deployment at CarbonAMS anaerobic digester facility in Ireland.

In July 2025, Emerson and TotalEnergies SE signed a strategic collaboration to deploy real-time industrial data collection solutions across TotalEnergies sites, leveraging Emerson's automation/data capabilities.

Offerings Covered:

• Hardware
• Software/Systems
• Services

Communication Protocols Covered:

• Wired Protocols
• Wireless Protocols

Deployment Types Covered:

• On-Premise
• Cloud-Based

End Users Covered:

• Oil & Gas
• Chemical & Petrochemical
• Energy & Power
• Water & Wastewater Treatment
• Food & Beverages
• Pharmaceuticals & Life Sciences
• Pulp & Paper
• Metals & Mining
• Other End Users

Regions Covered:

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • Italy
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • Japan
  • China
  • India
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Chile
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa

What our report offers:

• Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
• Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
• Covers Market data for the years 2024, 2025, 2026, 2028, and 2032
• Market Trends (Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities, Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
• Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
• Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
• Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
• Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements

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