Radar Level Transmitter Market Size and Share

Radar Level Transmitter Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The radar level transmitter market is valued at USD 606.11 million in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 902.36 million by 2030, advancing at a 5.77% CAGR. Demand is anchored in industrial automation programs that require precise level monitoring to meet stricter environmental and safety mandates. Technology migration from ultrasonic to 80 GHz radar in European oil terminals, growing desalination capital spending across the Gulf states, and retrofit activity in aging North-American water utilities are pivotal growth vectors. Manufacturers are also benefiting from coal-to-chemicals projects in China, where complex interface measurements favor guided-wave radar, and from a steady move toward wireless, Industrial-Internet-ready sensors that support predictive maintenance. Competitive differentiation hinges on antenna miniaturization, advanced signal processing for foam or low-dielectric media, and service ecosystems that shorten commissioning times.
Key Report Takeaways
- By technology, non-contact radar systems held 65% of radar level transmitter market share in 2024; guided-wave radar is expected to register the fastest 6.8% CAGR to 2030.
- By frequency range, K-band retained 38% revenue share in 2024, while W-band frequencies are projected to grow at 7.4% CAGR through 2030.
- By application, liquids, slurries, and interface measurement represented 44% of the radar level transmitter market size in 2024; bulk solids applications are advancing at 7% CAGR.
- By end-user, the oil and gas segment commanded 26% of radar level transmitter market size in 2024, yet water and wastewater treatment is expanding at 8% CAGR to 2030.
- By geography, North America led with 32% revenue share in 2024; Asia-Pacific is recording the highest 7.5% CAGR through 2030.
- Emerson, Siemens, Endress+Hauser, ABB, and Honeywell collectively accounted for 54% of 2024 global radar level transmitter market share.
Global Radar Level Transmitter Market Trends and Insights
Drivers Impact Analysis
DRIVER | (~) % IMPACT ON CAGR FORECAST | GEOGRAPHIC RELEVANCE | IMPACT TIMELINE |
---|---|---|---|
80 GHz Radar Replacing Ultrasonic Sensors in EU Oil-Terminal Overfill Protection | +0.8% | Europe, North America | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Desalination CAPEX Boom in GCC Boosting Radar Installations | +0.6% | Middle East, North Africa | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
China Coal-to-Chemicals Interface Measurement Demand | +0.5% | Asia-Pacific, China core | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Retrofit Wave of IIoT-Ready Instruments in Ageing US Water Plants | +0.4% | North America | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Hygienic Non-Contact Radar Adoption by North-American Craft Breweries | +0.2% | North America | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Foam-Tolerant Radar for Tailings Dams in Australian Mining | +0.3% | Asia-Pacific, Australia | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
80 GHz radar replacing ultrasonic sensors in EU oil-terminal overfill protection
European regulations mandate advanced overfill protection, prompting operators to replace ultrasonic gauges with 80 GHz radar. Narrow beam angles concentrate microwave energy, delivering reliable measurements even through vapors and temperature swings, while compact antenna designs simplify retrofits in tanks fitted with floating roofs. Coupled with maintenance-free operation, the technology ensures compliance and lowers lifecycle cost.[1]KROHNE Messtechnik, “80 GHz Radar Level Measurement Technology in Detail,” krohne.com
Desalination CAPEX boom in GCC boosting radar installations
Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Kuwait collectively account for half of global desalination capacity. New multi-stage flash and reverse-osmosis plants demand non-contact radar that withstands corrosive, high-salinity brines. Integration with digital control systems improves energy efficiency and water recovery, embedding radar as a standard specification in regional EPC contracts.
China coal-to-chemicals interface measurement demand
Guided-wave radar solves multiphase interface challenges in China’s expanding coal-to-chemicals complexes. Reliable detection in vessels with fluctuating dielectric constants protects yields and satisfies tighter emission rules, reinforcing radar over capacitance or float technologies.
Retrofit Wave of IIoT-Ready Instruments in Ageing US Water Plants
The United States water treatment infrastructure modernization initiative is driving widespread adoption of Industrial Internet of Things-ready radar level transmitters, replacing aging mechanical and ultrasonic systems with digitally-enabled solutions. Municipal water utilities are prioritizing radar technology for its ability to provide continuous, accurate measurements while supporting remote monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities. The technology's wireless communication capabilities enable utilities to optimize operations while reducing labor costs by up to 60%, a critical consideration given workforce constraints in the sector.
Restraints Impact Analysis
RESTRAINTS | (~) % IMPACT ON CAGR FORECAST | GEOGRAPHIC RELEVANCE | IMPACT TIMELINE |
---|---|---|---|
Signal Loss in Foam-Intense Reactors | -0.4% | Global, chemical processing core | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Shortage of Certified Radar Technicians in ASEAN | -0.3% | Asia-Pacific, ASEAN countries | Long term (≥ 4 years) |
High Up-Front Cost vs Ultrasonic on OEM Skids | -0.2% | Global | Short term (≤ 2 years) |
Low-Dielectric Powders Causing Accuracy Concerns | -0.2% | Global, bulk solids applications | Medium term (2-4 years) |
Source: Mordor Intelligence
Signal loss in foam-intense reactors
Thick foam layers attenuate microwaves, causing spurious echoes that disrupt level control in ethoxylation or fermentation vessels. Enhanced signal processing and hybrid radar-capacitance probes mitigate, but physics still limits radar penetration in extreme foaming.[2]Drexelbrook, “Foam Trending,” drexelbrook.com
Shortage of certified radar technicians in ASEAN
Rapid industrialization outpaces skills development, slowing project commissioning and service response in Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Vendor-sponsored academies and e-learning portals aim to close the talent gap, yet results will materialize gradually.
Segment Analysis
By Technology: Non-contact radar consolidates leadership
Non-contact sensors captured 65% of 2024 revenue, reflecting preference for maintenance-free operation in corrosive or high-temperature duties. The sub-segment will expand at 6.8% CAGR, reinforced by frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) platforms that sharpen signal-to-noise ratios. Guided-wave radar retains a niche where interface detection or heavy foam is prevalent. Compact 80 GHz antennas now retrofit vessels once limited to ultrasonic probes, enlarging addressable demand for the radar level transmitter market.
Digital advances such as Bluetooth commissioning and in-sensor diagnostics simplify compliance audits, enhancing the radar level transmitter industry’s value proposition. Suppliers position self-monitoring features as a hedge against workforce shortages, elevating radar to a core node in enterprise asset-performance platforms.[3]Emerson, “Guided-Wave Radar in Solid Level Applications – Technical Note,” emerson.com
By Frequency Range: W-band accelerates
K-band (24-26 GHz) still held 38% of 2024 shipments, appreciated for cost-effectiveness and broad approvals. Yet W-band (76-81 GHz and 120 GHz) sensors show 7.4% CAGR due to sub-3° beam angles that ignore agitator blades and narrow nozzles, delivering reliable readings in 40-m columns or slender brew kettles. Certification agencies in the United States, EU, and China cleared W-band for process use, driving scale economies that are eroding historic price premiums. As component costs fall, W-band penetration will remake competitive positioning in the radar level transmitter market.
By Application: Solids measurement turns a corner
Solids (Bulk Powders & Granulates) duties still commanded 56% share in 2024, and Liquids, Slurries & Interfaces handling is moving from mechanical plumb-bobs to radar at 7% CAGR. Innovations such as probe-end projection and real-time dust suppression algorithms unlock accurate readings in cement silos and soy-meal bins. Automatic surface profiling helps grain processors optimize blending and cut truck loading delays, underscoring radar’s role in modern supply-chain orchestration.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By End-User Industry: Water treatment outpaces oil & gas
Oil and gas retained the largest slice at 26% of 2024 sales; however, tightening effluent regulations propel water and wastewater plants at 8% CAGR. Utilities weigh total cost of ownership and find radar’s zero-maintenance design offsets the higher capex compared with ultrasonic devices. The radar level transmitter market size for municipal utilities is projected to add USD 108 million between 2025 and 2030, equating to 12% of incremental global demand.
Geography Analysis
North America’s 32% revenue share stems from mature oil, chemical, and food industries, coupled with federal grants that incentivize digital upgrades in water infrastructure. Utilities leverage cloud-connected radar to cut field visits, while craft brewers adopt hygienic models that withstand aggressive clean-in-place cycles.
Asia-Pacific is the growth engine at 7.5% CAGR, led by Chinese coal-to-chemicals plants and Indian smart-city wastewater projects. Australian miners specify foam-tolerant 80 GHz units for tailings management, and Southeast Asian palm-oil refineries demand guided-wave models that handle sticky media.
Europe maintains steady momentum, driven by process optimization in Germany’s chemical parks and methane-emission rules that mandate tighter tank-gauging accuracy across the continent. Scandinavian utilities procure low-power radar sensors suited to cold-climate reservoirs, emphasizing sustainability and reduced servicing trips.
The Middle East’s desalination boom anchors long-term demand, whereas Latin America’s copper and lithium expansions support solids-focused radar deployments. Africa’s cement and beverage sectors adopt cost-optimized 24 GHz units as electrification spreads.

Competitive Landscape
The radar level transmitter market features medium concentration. Five global leaders together claimed 54% revenue in 2024, yet regional specialists and OEM-focused entrants keep pricing pressure moderate. Emerson’s 2025 “Project Beyond” embeds AI data fabrics that elevate radar from instrument to analytics cornerstone. Siemens integrates Industrial Foundation Models that crunch radar datasets for predictive throughput gains on assembly lines. Endress+Hauser’s agreement with SICK widens its portfolio to include gas analysis, creating integrated offering synergies.
VEGA’s expansion in North America shortens lead times, while KROHNE leverages early-mover advantage in W-band to win retrofit projects. Honeywell’s alliance with Danfoss addresses interoperability friction inside hybrid control rooms, ensuring radar tags populate edge-to-cloud historians seamlessly. Start-ups targeting wireless, battery-powered 80 GHz devices challenge incumbents in remote tank-farm monitoring, yet scale hurdles persist.
Radar Level Transmitter Industry Leaders
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Emerson Electric Co.
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Siemens AG
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Endress+Hauser Group
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ABB Ltd.
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VEGA Grieshaber KG
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Recent Industry Developments
- May 2025: Emerson launched Project Beyond, a comprehensive software-defined enterprise operations platform integrating AI, data management, and cybersecurity to modernize industrial automation technology stacks without requiring complete system overhauls. The platform's data fabric and AI orchestration capabilities position radar level transmitters as key components in next-generation industrial automation architectures.
- March 2025: Siemens accelerated its AI-driven industries initiative through partnerships with Microsoft, developing Industrial Foundation Models aimed at enhancing productivity and operational excellence across manufacturing sectors. The company's virtual programmable logic controller achievements at Audi demonstrate the shift toward software-defined manufacturing systems.
- January 2025: The strategic partnership between SICK and Endress+Hauser became operational, with Endress+Hauser assuming global sales and service responsibilities for SICK's process analyzers and gas flowmeters. The joint venture employs approximately 730 people and focuses on developing sustainable process technologies.
- January 2025: ABB reported strong Q4 2024 results with orders reaching USD 8.1 billion, driven by robust demand in data centers and utilities sectors. The company's focus on acquisitions and innovation in energy efficiency solutions supports radar technology integration in smart infrastructure applications.
Global Radar Level Transmitter Market Report Scope
Radar level measurement technology relies on an echo signal which is reflected back from the surface. Thus, radar level transmitters provide accurate and reliable results for any liquids and solids under high pressures and temperatures. Radar level transmitters are ideally used for harsh environments where dust, vapor, or a foaming surface prevents the usage of ultrasonic measurement. The market study further entails segmentation by technology (Contact system and noncontact system), application(Liquid, Slurries and Interfaces and Solids), various end-user industries (Oil and Gas, Food and Beverages, Water and Wastewater, Chemical and Petrochemical, Metal and Mining, and Cement, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceuticals etc in other end-user industries segment) and regional analysis.
By Technology | Contact System (Guided Wave Radar) | ||
Non-Contact System (Free-Space Radar) | FMCW Radar | ||
Pulsed Radar | |||
By Frequency Range | C and X Band (6-12 GHz) | ||
K Band (24-26 GHz) | |||
W Band (76-81 and 120 GHz) | |||
By Application | Liquids, Slurries and Interfaces | ||
Solids (Bulk Powders and Granulates) | |||
By End-user Industry | Oil and Gas | ||
Chemicals and Petrochemicals | |||
Water and Wastewater | |||
Food and Beverages | |||
Power Generation | |||
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology | |||
Metals and Mining | |||
Marine and Shipbuilding | |||
Other Industries (Pulp and Paper, Cement) | |||
By Geography | North America | United States | |
Canada | |||
Mexico | |||
Europe | United Kingdom | ||
Germany | |||
France | |||
Italy | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
Asia-Pacific | China | ||
Japan | |||
India | |||
South Korea | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
Middle East | Israel | ||
Saudi Arabia | |||
United Arab Emirates | |||
Turkey | |||
Rest of Middle East | |||
Africa | South Africa | ||
Egypt | |||
Rest of Africa | |||
South America | Brazil | ||
Argentina | |||
Rest of South America |
Contact System (Guided Wave Radar) | |
Non-Contact System (Free-Space Radar) | FMCW Radar |
Pulsed Radar |
C and X Band (6-12 GHz) |
K Band (24-26 GHz) |
W Band (76-81 and 120 GHz) |
Liquids, Slurries and Interfaces |
Solids (Bulk Powders and Granulates) |
Oil and Gas |
Chemicals and Petrochemicals |
Water and Wastewater |
Food and Beverages |
Power Generation |
Pharmaceuticals and Biotechnology |
Metals and Mining |
Marine and Shipbuilding |
Other Industries (Pulp and Paper, Cement) |
North America | United States |
Canada | |
Mexico | |
Europe | United Kingdom |
Germany | |
France | |
Italy | |
Rest of Europe | |
Asia-Pacific | China |
Japan | |
India | |
South Korea | |
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |
Middle East | Israel |
Saudi Arabia | |
United Arab Emirates | |
Turkey | |
Rest of Middle East | |
Africa | South Africa |
Egypt | |
Rest of Africa | |
South America | Brazil |
Argentina | |
Rest of South America |
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current value of the radar level transmitter market?
The market is valued at USD 606.11 million in 2025 and is projected to climb to USD 902.36 million by 2030.
Which region is growing fastest for radar level transmitters?
Asia-Pacific is expanding at a 7.5% CAGR, driven by industrial build-out in China, India, and Southeast Asia.
Why are 80 GHz radar sensors displacing ultrasonic devices in oil terminals?
Narrow beam angles, immunity to vapor and temperature shifts, and compliance with new EU overfill-protection rules make 80 GHz radar more reliable.
Which end-user industry will see the highest growth?
Water and wastewater treatment leads with an 8% CAGR as utilities digitize assets and meet stricter discharge regulations.
How does W-band frequency improve measurement accuracy?
W-band’s high frequency produces sub-3° beam angles that avoid vessel internals and deliver sharper resolution for closely spaced liquid interfaces.
What restrains wider radar adoption in ASEAN markets?
A shortage of certified technicians complicates installation and maintenance, delaying projects despite strong demand