Smart Materials Global Market Report 2026

Smart materials are advanced substances that can sense and respond dynamically to changes in their environment, such as variations in temperature, pressure, moisture, electric or magnetic fields, and chemical stimuli. These materials alter their physical properties, such as shape, color, stiffness, or conductivity, enabling them to adapt. They integrate functionalities that allow them to self-heal, change phase, or undergo controlled transformations in real-time, making them highly versatile for innovative applications.

The main product types of smart materials include piezoelectric materials, electro-rheostatic materials, magneto-rheostatic materials, shape memory materials, smart fluids, smart hydrogels, electrochromic materials, and others. Piezoelectric materials are substances that generate an electric charge when subjected to mechanical stress, enabling applications in sensors, actuators, and energy harvesting. These materials are used in various applications, such as transducers, actuators and motors, sensors, structural materials, coatings, and more. They are also employed by different end-users, including industries such as defense and aerospace, automotive, consumer electronics, healthcare, and others.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have influenced the smart materials market by increasing costs of imported specialty alloys, functional polymers, and precision manufacturing equipment. Aerospace, automotive, and electronics applications are most affected, especially in North America and Asia Pacific. These cost increases have slowed commercialization timelines for advanced materials. Tariff uncertainty has also impacted cross border R&D collaboration. On the positive side, tariffs have promoted domestic R&D investments and localized production of high value smart material components.

The smart materials market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides smart materials market statistics, including smart materials industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a smart materials market share, detailed smart materials market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the smart materials industry. This smart materials market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.

The smart materials market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $70.28 billion in 2025 to $78.32 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.4%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to defense research investments, aerospace innovation, demand for adaptive systems, early piezoelectric applications, academic research funding.

The smart materials market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $121.4 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to smart infrastructure development, wearable electronics growth, electric vehicle sensor demand, healthcare device innovation, AI enabled material systems. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of self healing materials, growing use in sensors and actuators, expansion in adaptive aerospace structures, increased demand for shape memory materials, integration into smart consumer electronics.

The rising demand for consumer electronics is expected to drive the growth of the smart materials market in the coming years. Consumer electronics include devices designed for everyday personal or home use, such as smartphones, laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, and smart home gadgets. The demand for these products is growing due to their increasing integration into daily life, enhancing communication, productivity, entertainment, and convenience, while also adapting to changing consumer needs and lifestyles. Smart materials support consumer electronics by enabling innovative functionalities, including self-healing screens, flexible displays, energy-efficient components, and adaptive responses to environmental changes, ultimately improving durability, performance, and user experience. For example, in May 2023, the Japan Electronics and Information Technology Industries Association reported that total consumer electronic equipment production in Japan reached $209.16 million (¥32,099 million), up from $164.65 million (¥25,268 million) in May 2022. Thus, the growing demand for consumer electronics is driving the smart materials market.

Companies within the smart materials market are working on developing innovative materials that utilize ultrasonic conversion and actuator technology, combined with filling polymers, to enhance performance and adaptability across various industrial and medical applications. Ultrasonic conversion involves transforming electrical energy into high-frequency mechanical vibrations, while actuator technology provides precise motion control by using these vibrations. This combination offers numerous advantages, including high efficiency, precision, fast response times, and low maintenance. These technologies are useful in industries such as medical technology, industrial automation, and diagnostics. For example, in May 2024, PI Ceramic GmbH, a Germany-based company specializing in advanced materials, introduced piezoceramic composites that embed piezoelectric ceramics in filling polymers using ultrasonic conversion and actuator technology. This approach enhances adaptability for applications such as high-intensity focused ultrasound, diagnostic imaging, and industrial uses such as flow rate metering and non-destructive testing, improving precision, sensitivity, and resolution.

In October 2023, Resonetics LLC, a US-based medical device manufacturer, acquired SAES Smart Materials Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition allows Resonetics to expand its expertise in nitinol materials and processing capabilities. By integrating Memry Corporation and SAES Smart Materials, Resonetics gains new facilities and advanced manufacturing techniques, as well as a dedicated Lightspeed Lab in Bethel, Connecticut. This move is aimed at accelerating innovation and improving prototyping. SAES Smart Materials Inc. is a company that specializes in manufacturing smart materials.

Major companies operating in the smart materials market are Honeywell International Inc., 3M Company, Toray Industries Inc., Evonik Industries AG, TDK Corporation, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Arkema S.A., AMETEK Inc., Schott AG, CeramTec AG, CTS Corporation, SAES Getters S.p.A, Piezo Kinetics Inc., PI Ceramic GmbH, Kyocera Corporation, APC International, LORD Corporation, Smart Material Corp., Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., Solvay S.A., Covestro AG, Eastman Chemical Company, Gentex Corporation

North America was the largest region in the smart materials market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the smart materials market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the smart materials market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The smart materials market consists of sales of electroactive polymers, thermochromic materials, thermoelectric materials, self-healing materials, and phase change materials. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

Smart Materials Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses smart materials market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.

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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for smart materials ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The smart materials market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Product Type: Piezoelectric Materials; Electro-Rheostatic; Magneto-Rheostatic; Shape Memory Materials; Smart Hydrogels; Electrochromic Materials; Other Product Types
• 2) By Application Type: Transducers; Actuators And Motors; Sensors; Structural Materials; Coating; Other Applications
• 3) By End User: Industrial; Defense And Aerospace; Automotive; Consumer Electronics; Healthcare; Other End User
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Piezoelectric Materials: Piezoelectric Ceramics; Piezoelectric Polymers; Piezoelectric Composites; Piezoelectric Crystals
• 2) By Electro-Rheostatic: ER Fluids with Liquid Crystals; ER Fluids with Polymers; ER Fluids with Suspended Particles
• 3) By Magneto-Rheostatic: MR Fluids with Iron Particles; MR Fluids with Cobalt Particles; MR Fluids with Nickel Particles
• 4) By Shape Memory Materials: Shape Memory Alloys; Shape Memory Polymers; Shape Memory Ceramics; Shape Memory Hydrogels
• 5) By Smart Hydrogels: pH-Responsive Hydrogels; Temperature-Responsive Hydrogels; Light-Responsive Hydrogels; Electric-Responsive Hydrogels
• 6) By Electrochromic Materials: Organic Electrochromic Materials; Inorganic Electrochromic Materials; Hybrid Electrochromic Materials
• 7) By Other Product Types: Self-Healing Materials; Conductive Polymers; Photomechanical Materials; Thermochromic Materials
• Companies Mentioned: Honeywell International Inc.; 3M Company; Toray Industries Inc.; Evonik Industries AG; TDK Corporation; DuPont de Nemours Inc.; Arkema S.A.; AMETEK Inc.; Schott AG; CeramTec AG; CTS Corporation; SAES Getters S.p.A; Piezo Kinetics Inc.; PI Ceramic GmbH; Kyocera Corporation; APC International; LORD Corporation; Smart Material Corp.; Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.; Solvay S.A.; Covestro AG; Eastman Chemical Company; Gentex Corporation
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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