High growth predicted for microsensors

According to a technical market research report, 'Microsensors: MEMs, Biosensors and Nanosensors (IAS027A)' from BCC Research, the market for microsensors is expected to be worth US$3.2 billion in 2008. This will increase to over US$8.4 billion by the end of 2013, a compound annual growth rate of 21.3%.

The market is broken down into applications of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS), biochips and nanosensensors.

Of these, MEMS have the largest share of the market. Valued at US$2.2 billion in 2007, this segment is expected to increase to US$2.6 billion by the end of 2008 and to US$6.4 billion in 2013. MEMS had an 82.8% share of the market in 2007, but this is expected to decline to 76.5% in 2013.

The second largest segment, biochips, was worth US$465 million in 2007 and will reach US$581.5 million in 2008. It is expected to increase to US$1.8 billion by the end of 2013. Biochips' market share is expected to increase from 17.2% in 2007 to 21.6% in 2013.

Nanosensors are expected to see their first significant commercial sales in the years after 2008, reaching almost 2% of the microsensor market by 2013 with a value of US$159.9 million.

MEMS pressure sensors enjoyed the largest market of any microsensor type in 2007, followed by MEMS accelerometers, biochips, MEMS gyroscopes, chemical and gas and thermal sensors respectively.

The motor vehicle sector was the largest user of microsensors in 2007, with over 38% of the market, followed by life sciences (32.3%) and the process industries (11.7%). By 2013, life sciences should be the largest end-user segment, with 32.4% of the market, while the motor vehicle sector will drop into second place at 24.8%, followed closely by consumer products (23.9%).