Gas Sensor Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (CO2, NOx, CO, O2 Sensors), By Technology (Semiconductor, Infrared), By End Use (Building Automation & Domestic Appliance, Industrial), And Segment Forecasts, 2019 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global gas sensor market was valued at USD 2.05 billion in 2018 and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.8% from 2019 to 2025. Gas sensors are used to measure the concentration of various gases in their vicinity, such as oxygen, Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), and Nitrogen Oxide (NO_X). These devices are equipped with a sensing element that is powered through connecting leads, which are connected to the circuits. The product is widely used across various end-use sectors, such as industrial, petrochemical, and automotive industries.

Moreover, process and manufacturing industries find extensive applications of various toxic and combustible gases, including Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S), and Nitrogen Dioxide (NO₂). Monitoring the concentration of these gases with the help of gas sensors helps in detecting and avoiding gas leaks. Semiconductor gas sensors are monitored on a real-time basis and offer benefits, such as low cost, compact size, and high accuracy.

Regulations by governments in the developed regions, such as North America and Europe, have mandated the use of these devices in potentially hazardous environments. The adoption of electrochemical-based devices is significantly high in end-use industries including medical, industrial, environmental, and automotive owing to features, such as accuracy and efficiency. The ability of wireless sensing devices to detect explosive or toxic gases from a safe distance is expected to boost their demand over the forecast period.

These devices also offer advantages, such as easy installation at lower cost compared to wired devices and ability to create a network of sensors. The product is expected to witness a high demand in HVAC control systems as it facilitates intelligent ventilation control. A variety of sensors are used to detect flammable gases and have different flammable conditions, hence each gas requires a specific type of sensor to be accurately measured.

New sensor technologies, such as miniaturized Photo Ionization Detectors (PIDs) for measurement, Non-Dispersive Infrared (NDIR) for CO₂, and additional types of substance-specific electrochemical sensors, are available for incorporation into multi-sensor portable instruments. Currently, indoor and outdoor air quality concerns are driving the use of gas sensors in commercial building automation, as well as in personal environmental monitoring. The devices used in industrial applications are expensive.

Thus, the need for less expensive and compact-sized equipment is a critical driver of the current consumer sensor market. Major companies prefer proven technologies and are more focused on improving current monitoring systems with more accuracy. The desire for continuous and real-time monitoring is driving the market in miniaturization, networking/communication, power management, and reliability. Trends of miniaturized systems, printed sensor manufacturing, and flexible electronics for consumer markets boost the gas sensor market. However, adoption of wireless sensors with IoT may hamper the wired gas sensor market in the next six years.

Product Insights

On the basis of product, the market is segmented into Oxygen (O2)/Lambda, Carbon Dioxide (CO₂), Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrogen Oxide (NO_X), and Methyl Mercaptan. The NO_X segment is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period owing to stringent regulatory initiatives to curb emission levels. Moreover, the installation of these devices helps in reducing air pollution. As a result, the demand for accurate, real-time NO_X devices in control systems is expected to increasing over the forecast period.

CO₂ sensing is particularly useful in indoor air quality monitoring and industrial processes. These sensors are capable of detecting spoilage in the food storage sector. Companies, such as Honeywell, Digital Control Systems, and Johnson Controls, develop CO₂ gas sensors for indoor applications to monitor the air quality.

End Use Insights

In 2018, industrial segment led the market owing to strict regulations by the governments to ensure occupational health and safety of workers. Moreover, gas detection equipment is widely used in industrial applications for the detection and monitoring of combustible and toxic gases. They are also used for controlled combustion in industrial furnaces and in the measurement of oxygen in confined spaces. These devices are used to fulfill four important functions of various systems in industrial applications, such as monitoring & control, security & warning, diagnosis & analysis, and interface & navigation.

In the medical sector, these devices are primarily used for measuring VOCs, which may have adverse short-term as well as long-term health effects. They are used for monitoring the concentration of oxygen in anesthesia gas in incubators and ventilators. Moreover, the devices are also integrated in medical equipment, such as breath monitoring systems, life-supporting implants, oxygen concentrators, humidified oxygen heaters, and temperature monitoring & control equipment.

Technology Insights

Electrochemical devices facilitate the detection of toxic gas concentration by oxidizing the target gas at the electrode and measuring the resultant current. The amount of gas present is directly proportional to the current generated. High demand for electrochemical devices can be attributed to their ability to improve indoor air quality, control emission of harmful gases, and detect landfill gases. However, they are not suitable for low-temperature or high-pressure conditions.

The Infrared (IR) technology is capable of measuring a wide variety of gases, including methane, CO₂, and VOCs, such as acetylene, benzene, and butane. The IR devices are largely used in chemical & petrochemical and oil & gas industries owing to their fast speed of response in case of a leakage of combustible gases. As a result, the segment is expected to emerge as the fastest-growing technology segment. However, the cost of these IR devices is significantly higher than electrochemical devices, which may limit the segment growth.

Regional Insights

Europe dominated the global market in 2018 due to increased IT investments and advancements in sensor technologies in the region. Demand for devices that can be integrated into handheld devices has encouraged advancements in the technology. The market is projected to expand further on account of rising need for ensuring safety at workplaces. Moreover, regulations in developed markets like Europe mandate the use of these sensing devices in potentially hazardous environments, which will contribute to the market growth.

Increased focus of the government on energy-efficiency and emission control standards have resulted in the increased usage of these devices in the automotive sector in Europe. Rapid expansion of the end-use industries and increasing application scope for these devices are also expected to drive the market in this region. Various agencies and legislations promoting the use of gas detection devices at workplace include Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. that ensures safe and healthy work conditions and the Health and Safety at Work Act (HSWA) by the U.K. government that focuses on occupational health and safety.

Gas Sensor Market Share Insights

Prominent companies in the market includeAlphaSense, City Technology Ltd.,Dynament Ltd., Figaro Engineering, Membrapor AG, Nemoto & Co., Ltd., Robert Bosch LLC., ABB Ltd., Siemens AG, and GfG Europe Ltd. Key strategies adopted by these companies include expansion capabilities, partnerships & agreements, collaborations, new product developments, M&A, and R&D investments.

For instance, ABB acquired Los Gatos Research in 2013, to add new gas analyzer in their product portfolio. The manufacturers also focus on investing in R&D with an aim to boost technological development.They use innovative concepts and ideas and improved production techniques to enhance their product portfolio and profitability.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global gas sensor market report on the basis of product, technology, end use, and region:

• Product Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Oxygen (O₂)/Lambda

  • Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)

  • Carbon Monoxide (CO)

  • NO_X

  • Methyl Mercaptan

  • Others

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Electrochemical

  • Semiconductor

  • Solid State/MOS

  • Photo-Ionization Detector (PID)

  • Catalytic

  • Infrared (IR)

  • Others

• End Use Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • Medical

  • Building Automation & Domestic Appliances

  • Environmental

  • Petrochemical

  • Automotive

  • Industrial

  • Agriculture

  • Others

• Regional Outlook (Volume, Million Units; Revenue, USD Million, 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • India

    • Japan

  • South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa