Freedonia Market Research Analyzes Sensors Industry

US demand for sensor products (sensors, transducers and associated housings) is projected to increase 4.3 percent annually to $12.7 billion in 2012, supported by increasing output of major sensor-containing products such as motor vehicles.  Demand for sensors based on emerging technologies, such as MEMS-based and imaging sensors, will see the fastest gains.  Process variable sensors will continue to be the largest product type, although these sensors are expected to grow at below-average rates.  While the biggest market will remain the automotive industry, growth will also be strong in military and aerospace applications. These and other trends, including market share and company profiles, are presented in US Sensors, a new study from The Freedonia Group, Inc., a Cleveland-based industry market research firm.

Through 2012, imaging, proximity/positioning and chemical property sensors are expected to record the most rapid advances.  Imaging sensors -- including charge-coupled devices (CCD), complementary metal-oxide semiconductors (CMOS) and thermal (infrared) sensors -- hold especially good prospects, rising 8.0 percent annually.  Thermal imaging sensors will receive a significant boost from rising military expenditures, as well as increased importance in new markets such as police departments, fire departments, structural testing companies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and private consumers.

Proximity and positioning sensors will also record rapid advances, due to increases in motor vehicle production and continued expansion of the industrial sector, both of which are large consumers of these sensors.  In particular, the rebound in vehicle production will support increases not only in newer sensor-using applications such as collision avoidance systems, but also in more mature motor vehicle products such as camshaft and crankshaft positioning sensors. 

Overall, the automotive industry will be among the fastest growing sensor markets and will continue to represent the largest sector for sensors.  Demand for sensors in automotive safety and security systems will post strong gains.  In addition, further gains will come from automakers’ desires to add value to their vehicles and differentiate themselves from competitors.  While the industrial sensor market will post below-average growth due to the high degree of maturity and downward pricing pressure, increased aerospace equipment shipments and defense expenditures will continue to drive strong growth for sensors in the military/aerospace markets.

The Freedonia Group is a leading international business research company, founded in 1985, that publishes more than 100 industry research studies annually. This industry analysis provides an unbiased outlook and a reliable assessment of an industry and includes product segmentation and demand forecasts, industry trends, demand history, threats and opportunities, competitive strategies, market share determinations and company profiles.