Level Sensor Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (Contact Type/Point Level, Non-Contact Type/Continuous Level), By Application (Automotive, Consumer Electronics, Healthcare), And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2025

Report Overview

The global level sensor market size was valued at USD 3.96 billion in 2019. These sensing technologies are used to measure the level of liquid and fluidized solids, including powders, slurries, and granular materials. The substance which is to be measured remains in the natural form or inside a container and the measurement can be of continuous or point values.

The increasing use of smart sensors capable of two-way communication and self-diagnosis is projected to drive market growth. For instance, applications such as water conservation make use of digital technology can be connected to microcontrollers to monitor water usage and capacity.

Digital level sensors are also used for gas flow measurement technology, and can easily interface with computers. The increasing use of Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) non-contact type technology in residential, commercial, and industrial measurement applications is also anticipated to enhance the market demand.

The growing demand for intelligent instruments equipped with microprocessors that provide information about the performance of the instrument is expected to fuel the market growth. The ability to offer higher accuracy and efficiency along with easy installation and maintenance is anticipated to drive the industry growth. The increasing acceptance of smart multiphase sensors in the oil & gas and food & water industries has led to enhanced growth.

The technology is easily available in the market owing to the presence of a large number of suppliers, reduction in the size of the sensors, and the increasing usage of multipurpose level sensors in the automotive and industrial sectors. However, the adoption of thin-film technology and increasing competition among market players is expected to hamper the market growth over the forecast period.

Level Sensor Market Trends

The evolution of sensor technologies and microcontrollers is enhancing the automobile industry to develop complex systems that provide better vehicle control and safety to the end-users. The increasing use of multipurpose level sensors in vehicle production and manufacturing industries is anticipated to fuel the market demand over the forecast period. Global automobile production is increasing owing to the growing urbanization and upgrading safety provisions by implementing various sensors. The buyer's inclination toward high-end cars in the emerging regions is expected to positively impact the level sensor market demand in the upcoming years.

The favorable industry regulations aid in stimulating the growth of the level sensors market. For instance, regulations laid by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for power plants have increased the level sensor demand for monitoring gas leakage. Health and safety organizations are also working toward implementing a hazard-free environment, ensuring workplace safety for employees. Compliance with regulations and standards in the food and beverage industry is the most demanding challenge for measuring instruments and sensors. The product design must comply with the industry guidelines issued by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Hygienic Engineering &Design Group (EHEDG)as well as meet the special Sterilization-in-Place and Clean-in-Place (SIP/CIP) process requirements for surface quality, materials used, process connections, and reliability. Programmable measuring instruments and specialized accessories further improve the customer experience. In the U.S., EPA regulates the wastewater discharge and treatment of wastewater under the Clean Water Act (CWA).

The global sensor industry has undergone intense competition and significant price reductions over the past years. The prices of sensors are declining significantly, which has negatively impacted the market, and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period. The relatively short lifecycle of semiconductor components prompts manufacturers to strive for the development of components at a lower per-unit cost. Competition within the industry has intensified the need for efficiency and productivity improvements.

Application Insights

Based on applications, the level sensor market is segmented into automobile, consumer electronics, healthcare, industrial process, oil & gas, and others. The automobile application is projected to witness significant growth with a CAGR of 7% over the forecast period. Automobiles are usually equipped with a fuel sensor to measure the amount of fuel in the tank.

Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on reliability requirements and lowering the repair cost in case of any damage. Sensing technology is also increasingly used to measure other liquids such as windshield cleaning liquid, cooling water, power steering liquid, and engine oil.

The industrial and municipal wastewater management application is also expected to witness significant growth owing to the stringent regulations in developed regions such as the UK, Germany, and the U.S. Furthermore, increasing government initiatives are anticipated to increase the adoption rate of water treatment technology in emerging economies.

The dry bulk segment is expected to witness significant growth over the forecast period with a CAGR of 6.0%. Dry bulk level measurement devices are used for performing a number of tasks, such as processing, transportation, and storage of bulk solids in the plastic industry. Plastic granules, dry blend, Poly Ethylene Terephthalate (PET)-snippets, polystyrene, and plastic powder are some of the bulk solids in the plastic industry.

The growing awareness regarding high-quality pet food ingredients among pet owners, which has resulted in an increasing demand for specialty ingredients, is expected to influence the level sensor market growth over the forecast period.

Level controls and material dry bulk sensors are used in cement production industries for a variety of functions such as the prevention of overfilling of bins and silos, silo inventory monitoring, and low-point detection to reorder materials in storage silos.

Dry bulk sensors are used for controlling processes related to cement production, which include level measurement in silos, mass determination of cement while transporting raw materials, and recognition of objects in packaging machines.

Technology Insights

Based on technology, the market is segmented into contact type/point level and non-contact type/continuous level sensors. The market is experiencing a transition from contact type to non-contact type owing to their flexibility, accuracy in measurement, and a lesser need for maintenance.

Non-contact/continuous level sensors are electronic devices that generate the electromagnetic field for level measurement. These sensors operate faster and have greater application flexibility. Non-contact type technologies include photoelectric, capacitive, and ultrasonic sensors.

Contact/point level are electrochemical devices that are used to detect a change through physical contact with the target material/object. Magnetostrictive, vibratory probe, hydrostatic, and magnetic float are a few types of contact sensors.

Continuous level monitoring systems offer continuous level measurement of liquids and solids in silos, bins, and sumps. The solid flow sensor is based on microwave technology that senses solid materials, whereas point level switches are used to measure the level of solids, slurries, and liquids and are usually mounted on bins, hoppers, tanks, chutes, pipes, and vessels.

Regional Insights

The North America regional market is anticipated to dominate the market in terms of revenue in 2019. The U.S. EPA’s Air, Climate, and Energy research program has developed a research initiative to survey both O3 and NO2 low-cost sensors. As a part of the research program, the U.S. EPA works in collaboration with developers to evaluate the characteristics of such sensors.

The growth in the U.S. regional level sensor market is primarily driven by an increase in the adoption of various sensors in the new cars. The introduction of TEREAD act mandates the pressure sensor for every vehicle to intimate the underinflated tires is expected to drive the industry demand in the U.S. region.

The presence of a large number of semiconductor manufacturers in Korea, China, and Japan is anticipated to spur the Asia Pacific regional market. Additionally, the growing concern toward the environment and water management also positively impact the market growth over the forecast period.

The autonomous car technology and coupled with connected car technology contributed to the growth of the Japan level sensor market. The major factor that drives the market is improved communication capabilities and reduction in size of the sensors. . The government-driven initiatives, such as “Make in India” and “Digital India”, are anticipated to boost the penetration of smartphones and other consumer electronics in the region, resulting in the increasing demand for the level sensors.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Several key manufacturers are increasingly undergoing inorganic growth strategies, such as frequent mergers & acquisitions, in an attempt to expand their product portfolio. For instance, in August 2016, Emerson Electric Company acquired the valves & control business of U.S.-based Pentair plc to expand its valve & control product portfolio.

Additionally, bin level manufacturers are engaged in offering new solutions to enable the automation of grain and milling operations. Competition within the market has intensified the need for efficiency and productivity improvement. The key industry players include Siemens AG (Germany), ABB, Ltd (Switzerland), Emerson Electric Company (U.S.), and MTS Sensor (Germany).

Level Sensor Market Report Scope 

Segments Covered in the Report

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

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

  • Contact type/point level

  • Non-contact type/continuous level

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • Automotive

  • Consumer electronics

  • Healthcare

  • Industrial process

  • Oil & gas

  • Dry bulk

  • Others

• Region Outlook (Revenue, USD Million; 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • UK

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • Japan

    • India

  • Latin America

    • Mexico

    • Brazil

  • Middle East and Africa