Used Machine Tool Market Continues to Heat Up, Precision Grinder Demand Leads All Categories

The global used machine tool market is experiencing an unprecedented upswing.

According to multiple industry research reports, the global used machine tools market was valued at approximately $2.357 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.4% through the forecast period. By 2031, the market is expected to reach $4.455 billion, reflecting robust and sustained growth momentum. Another study by恒州诚思 (YH Research) estimates the global used machine tool revenue at approximately 18.48 billion RMB in 2025, with projections nearing 33.29 billion RMB by 2032 at a CAGR of 8.8%.

Refurbishment sector: A $450 billion game-changer

A key driver behind this growth is the global refurbishment industry, whose total value is estimated to exceed $450 billion by the end of 2026. Companies are increasingly investing in used industrial machinery to reduce capital expenditures, achieving savings of up to 40–50% compared to purchasing new equipment.

The real revolution, however, lies in revamping and retrofitting. The integration of new digital sensors and predictive maintenance software now makes it possible to transform machinery from the 1990s — such as presses or lathes — into assets fully compatible with Industry 5.0 standards, extending their useful life by an additional 10 to 15 years. This delivers tangible advantages in delivery time: while waiting periods for new machinery can exceed 12 months, used equipment is available much more quickly, with revamping work typically requiring only 3 to 5 months on average. Additionally, regenerating a machine tool saves approximately 80% of the CO₂ emissions associated with producing a new machine.

Precision grinders: The fastest-growing segment

Among all used machine tool categories, precision grinders are seeing particularly strong demand growth.

The global grinding machinery market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2025 to 2031, driven primarily by increased manufacturing automation, rising demand for precision machining, and growing automotive production. The global surface grinder market alone is projected to reach $890–940 million by 2025, with an estimated CAGR of 4%–5% through 2030.

This demand surge reflects a broader structural shift in global manufacturing. The expansion of emerging industries — including new energy vehicles, aerospace, and robotics — places ever-higher demands on processing accuracy and efficiency. Precision grinding, as a critical finishing process for high-value components such as gearboxes, bearings, and robotic joint modules, has become an indispensable link in the production chain.

Regional dynamics: Emerging markets take the lead

The global used machine tool market is undergoing a significant geographic shift. According to industry analysis, emerging markets — particularly Southeast Asia, India, Africa, and Latin America — are emerging as the new growth engines. This is driven by what analysts call the "manufacturing generation gap": the equipment renewal rate in Southeast Asian countries is only one-quarter of China's, meaning that large volumes of well-maintained 8- to 10-year-old equipment from more developed manufacturing regions represent a "timely rain" for their industrial upgrading.

Data shows that in the first half of 2025 alone, China's exports of used equipment to Southeast Asia exceeded $12 billion. Meanwhile, Europe remains a mature and high-potential market. In Italy — considered a leading market internationally — 2025 marked a record year with a 12% increase in used machine tool transactions. The Italian machine fleet still has a relatively high average age of around 13 years, creating strong domestic demand for replacement and upgrading.

From "scrap" to "regenerable asset"

The concept of "used" in the industrial machinery space has definitively evolved. What was once viewed as second-hand or obsolete is now recognized as a "regenerable asset." The secondary market has become a clear strategy for competitiveness and sustainability, enabling manufacturers to access high-performance equipment at a fraction of the cost of new machinery while significantly reducing their carbon footprint.

As the global economy gradually recovers and technology continues to advance, the used machine tool industry is poised for further development. For manufacturers worldwide — particularly small and medium-sized enterprises facing tight budgets — the used equipment market offers a pragmatic path to upgrading production capabilities without breaking the bank.

The road ahead

From $2.36 billion in 2025 to over $4.4 billion by 2031, the global used machine tool market is on a clear upward trajectory. With refurbishment technologies extending machine life, emerging markets driving demand, and sustainability concerns pushing circular economy models to the forefront, the industry is entering a new phase of growth.

The journey from "used" to "regenerable" — and from "qualified" to "premium" in the secondary market — is just beginning.