Infrared markets are continuing to evolve.
In 2023, the market recovered from the disruptions caused by Covid, the temporary surge in orders for Elevated Skin Temperature/Fever (EST/fever) cameras and the supply shortages of electronic components afterward. However, in the face of inflationary pressures, overall pricing has firmed or even increased in many application areas.
Chinese companies have rapidly expanded their uncooled fabs and are now aggressively marketing in traditional infrared markets, such as hunter’s sights, thermography and security.
Cooled infrared cameras are also reaching new levels of maturity. New cooled FPAs (some of them based on robust III-V materials systems) have become available. These detectors can operate at higher temperatures with longer cooler lifetimes and can be packaged in smaller, lighter packages.
Major applications include Predictive Maintenance (electrical and mechanical condition monitoring), Building/HVAC Inspection, Process Control, Research & Development, Traditional Nondestructive Testing, Law Enforcement, Hunter’s Thermal Sights, Automotive Night Vision (including Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) and Autonomous/Self-driving cars), Aircraft Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS/EFVS), Firefighting, Surveillance/Security, Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) and Consumer/Emerging (including smartphones). Dual-Use applications covered include Weapon Sights, Soldier Sights, Vehicle Sights, Airborne and Ground applications and others.
Over the next six years, some of the traditional application markets are expected to fare significantly better than others. Two of the application areas are expected to grow at Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) in units over 50%, with most of the growth expected after 2027. But all applications are expected to benefit over the next five years from lower cost uncooled FPAs from detector suppliers that have established partnerships with semiconductor fabs, implementing Wafer Level Packaging (WLP), Wafer Level Optics and integrated electronics functions on ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits).
The Consumer and Emerging application market segment includes smartphone thermal imaging attachments for prices lower than $200 and smartphones with integrated thermal imagers in the $500 price range. The cores used in the smartphones are now also being used in other consumer applications including hunter’s rifle scopes, low-end thermography, night sights for boating and drones.
In addition, new uncooled and cooled FPA suppliers have emerged in China, South Korea and Turkey. At the same time, developers of novel uncooled detectors are facing an uphill battle against microbolometers with several dropping out of the race in the last two years.
All of these changes have resulted in significant realignments and mergers.
In addition, market shares of suppliers of uncooled focal plane arrays have undergone dramatic changes as Chinese companies ramped up their uncooled fabs.
In cooled infrared imaging, applications include Security/Surveillance, R&D, Process Control, Nondestructive Testing, Aircraft Enhanced Flight Vision Systems (EFVS), Optical Gas Imaging (OGI), Airborne Surveillance and Ground applications.
New cooled detector technologies are being developed for high-end thermal imaging. Developments are accelerating in superlattice detectors and high operating temperature (“HOT”) FPAs. Cameras based on new superlattice-based nBn/XBn detectors and T2SL (Type II Superlattice) detectors are now available in the commercial market.
Applications for Short wave Infrared (SWIR) FPAs based on InGaAs continue to grow while new technologies, such as Colloidal Quantum Dots (CQD) are being introduced for cost-sensitive applications.
Spot Infrared Thermometry sensors (pyrometers) continue to have broad acceptance in special high temperature industrial process control applications and at the very low-end in consumer markets as prices decrease. Also, as prices drop, a convergence between the imaging and spot markets is already starting to occur at the low end. Nonetheless, the high-end pyrometer market continues to be strong in steel, glass and aluminum manufacturing and has been relatively untouched by imaging infrared (except for line scanners).
The report forecasts market sizes for Infrared Imaging and Thermometry through 2029. Forecasts are provided separately for cooled and uncooled infrared imaging equipment in the following application areas: Predictive Maintenance (electrical and mechanical condition monitoring), Building/HVAC Inspection, Process Control, Research & Development, Traditional Nondestructive Testing, Law Enforcement, Hunter’s Thermal Sights, Automotive Night Vision (including ADAS/Autonomous Vehicles), Aircraft Enhanced Vision Systems (EVS/EFVS), Firefighting, Surveillance/Security, Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) and Consumer/Emerging (including smartphones). Dual-Use applications covered include Weapon Sights, Soldier Sights, Vehicle Sights, Airborne and Ground applications and others. However, strictly military systems (infrared missile seekers, targeting systems, etc.) are not covered in this report.
All forecasts are given separately for North America and the Rest of the World and the overall market is segmented by geography into the following regions: North America, Europe, Pacific Rim, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Middle East.
Market shares of leading supplier companies are provided and Company Profiles for 59 companies worldwide are detailed. Market shares are given separately for suppliers of:
Commercial & Dual-Use Systems
Commercial-only Systems
Thermography
Firefighting (for all types – handheld TiCs and SCBA-integrated TICs)
Firefighting (for handheld TICs only)
Security & Surveillance Systems
Uncooled FPAs/Modules
Uncooled InGaAs SWIR FPAs and Cameras
Enhanced SWIR (eSWIR)
Optical Gas Imaging (OGI) Cameras
The World Market for Commercial & Dual-Use Infrared Imaging and Infrared Thermometry Equipment (Vol. IRW-C) contains over 400 pages of up-to-date market information and forecasts. The Enterprise version is priced at $7900 in secured PDF. Reports only available directly from Maxtech (no third parties are authorized for its distribution.)
The structure of the report:
Maxtech International®'s analysis of World Infrared Imaging and Infrared Thermometry Markets provides the following valuable market information:
Executive Summary
A concise summary of the important results in the report.
Introduction
A review of definitions, the scope of topics covered, the methodology used and the sources of information.
Product Analysis
Major product offerings, instrument capabilities and pricing trends of manufacturers are reviewed and compared.
Cooled Focal Plane Arrays, Cameras and Systems: including detectors made of mercury cadmium telluride, indium antimonide, GaAs/GaAlAs Quantum Well Infrared Photodetectors (QWIPs), lead sulfide/lead selenide, extrinsic silicon, and new Type II Superlattice (T2SL), nBn/XBn and HOT FPAs and others. The status of various detector technologies is discussed: which ones are declining, which ones are thriving.
New developments in detector cooling technologies: Thermoelectric cooling, Stirling-cycle cooling and J-T cooling. New developments in small cryocoolers for use with HOT detectors.
New developments in infrared materials used for lenses (including molded lenses), windows and coatings.
Uncooled Focal Plane Arrays and cameras of the following types:
Uncooled focal plane array development and production plans are described separately for the U.S., Canada, Europe, Israel, Japan, China and South Korea.
Manufacturers' offerings in each of the following areas are described, compared and pricing given:
Cooled and Uncooled Focal Plane Arrays and Systems, Focal Plane Array Test Systems, Infrared Microscopes, Thermal Wave (Thermal Pulse) Systems for Flaw Detection, Multispectral and Hyperspectral Imaging Systems (including infrared payloads planned by NASA over the next ten years), Portable Infrared Thermometers (Spot Radiometers), Stationary Infrared Thermometers (Spot Radiometers) and Line Scanning Infrared Thermometers.
More than 100 specific models of equipment are described. In many cases, detailed specifications are given.
Dual-use programs covered include: uncooled Driver’s Vision Enhancers (DVE), Thermal Weapon Sights (TWS), Family of Thermal Weapon Sights (FWS), Enhanced Night Vision Goggles (ENVG-B), Integrated Visual Enhancement System (IVAS), uncooled thermal binoculars, soldier sensors, airborne navigation and surveillance systems.
Technology Trends
Leading research and technology developments are discussed. Government funding for infrared R&D is reviewed. Novel Uncooled Technologies: Who is developing what? Who are the leaders?
3D Imaging and Range Gated Imaging are reviewed as a complement to thermal imaging.
The effect of export controls (at both the national and international level) on market growth is discussed in detail.
Applications Analysis
The following applications and their market dynamics are discussed in detail:
Market Forecasts
Market sizes and forecasts from 2023 to 2028 are given for Infrared Imaging equipment. Forecasts are provided separately for cooled and uncooled infrared imaging equipment in the following application areas:
All Forecasts are given separately for North America and the Rest of the World.
The overall market is segmented by geography into the following regions: North America, Europe, Pacific Rim, Asia, Latin America, Africa and Middle East. The historical trend for geographic distribution over the last ten years.
Suppliers of Infrared Imaging and Equipment and Market Shares
The competitive environment in IR Imaging and IR Thermometry is analyzed. Major manufacturers of Infrared Imaging and Thermometry equipment, their marketing strategies and profitability (including market shares) are analyzed. Market shares are given separately for suppliers of Commercial & Dual-Use, Commercial Only, Thermography, Firefighting, Security/surveillance, Uncooled FPAs/Modules, InGaAs FPAs and cameras and Optical Gas Imaging. A total of 59 company profiles are provided, including:
Advanced Energy Ind. (AEI)
AIM Infrarot-Module
Ametek/Land
Astronics/Max-Viz
Avon Protection/Argus
Axis Communications
BAE Systems
Bosch Security
Bullard
Clear Align
Collins Aerospace
Dali (Zhejiang Dali)
DIAS Infrared
Draeger
Elbit
Elbit Systems of America
Excelitas/Qioptiq
Fluke
Guide Infrared
Hamamatsu
Hanwha Vision
Heimann Sensor
Hensoldt Optronics
Hikvision
Honeywell International
Hood Technology
i3system
IRay
IRnova
JenOptik
L3Harris Technologies
L3Harris - Cincinnati
L3Harris Wescam
Leonardo DRS
Leonardo MW
Lockheed Martin
Lynred
Mine Safety Appliances
Mitsubishi Electric
NEC
New Imaging Technologies (NIT)
Nippon Avionics
North GuangWei (GWIC)
Opgal
Qioptiq
QmagiQ
Raytheon Vision Systems
Safran
SATIR
3M Scott
Seek Thermal
Semi-Conductor Devices (SCD)
Sensors Unlimited (RTX)
Teledyne FLIR
Teledyne Imaging Sensors
Testo
Thales
Thermoteknix
Ulirvision
Xenics/Exosense
Other companies included in the report: 3E EOS, 3XLogic, AeroVironment, Agilent, Agiltron, AIRS, Allied Vision Technologies, Amorphous Materials, Argo AI, Artray, Aselsan, ATN, Audi, Automation Technology GmbH, AVAL DATA, Avigilon, BMW, Ball Aerospace, Bayspec, Bendix, Bertin Technologies, BlueVision, Boeing Spectrolab, Bombardier, Bop, Bruker, Bullitt Group, CEA/Leti, CI Sys., Cantronic, Chino, Chunghwa Telecom, CohuHD Costar, Controp, CorDEX Instruments, Corning, Cox, Critical Imaging, Current Corp., CVI Melles Griot, Cyclone, Cypress Semiconductor, Dahua, Daimler, Dassault, DataRay, DeWalt, edevis GmbH, Edmund Optics, Electro Optical Industries, Emberion, Embraer, EMX, EPIR Technologies, Equinox, Excelitas, Exergen, FJR, FedEx Express, Fermionics, First Light, Fisba Optik, Fortive, Fraunhofer Institut, IRISYS, Fujitsu, GCS-Global Communications, GHOPTO, Ganz, General Monitors, GST, Gulfstream, HGH Infrared Systems, Hanwha Techwin, Headwall Photonics, HEICO, HGH Infrared, Honda, Horiba, HRL Labs, HurleyIR, IAI-Elta, IEC Infrared, INO, Infrared Cameras Inc. (ICI), Infrared Labs, InfraRed Materials, InfraRedx, InfraTec, IntelliEPi, Intevac, Invisage, IRCameras, IRCAM, IRISYS, ISP Optics, IR Labs, JAXA, JPL, Janos Technology, Keii, Keysight Technologies, Kinghome, KIRO-CH Photonics, KLA-Tencor, Kongsberg, Lapis Semiconductor, Leader Photonics, Leak Surveys, Leupold & Stevens, Lexavia, Lightpath Technologies, Magnity, McBain Systems, Mercedes-Benz, MikroSens, Milwaukee Tool, Moog, Movitherm, Nav-TV, N2 Imaging, New Infrared Technologies (NIT), Newport, NikkoIA, Ningbo Sunny, NIP, Nissan, Nivisys, Norinco Group (Kunming North Infrared), Northrop Grumman, Novotech, NXP Semiconductors, Obzerv, OIP Sensor Systems, Omron, ON Semiconductor, Ophir, Optex, Optics 1, Optikos, Opto Diode, Optris, Palmer Wahl, Panasonic, PerkinElmer, Photon etc., Photon Focus, Princeton Infrared Technologies, Princeton Lightwave, Quantum Focus Instruments, Quantum Imaging, Qwake Technologies, QWIP Technologies, Rafael, Raptor Photonics, Rebellion Photonics, Rochester Precision Optics, Rolls Royce, RTI International, RVision, SKF, Santa Barbara Focalplane, Santa Barbara Infrared, Sarnoff, Schott, Seiko NPC, Siemens, Sierra Olympic, Sig Sauer, SightLogiX, Silent Sentinel, SiOnyx, Skywater Technology, Snell Group, Sony, St. Jude Medical, STMicroelectronics, Sumitomo Electric, SWIR Vision Systems, Telops, Thermal Imaging Radar, Thermal Wave Imaging, Thermoconcept, ThermoFisher Scientific, Torrey Pines Logic, Toshiba, TowerJazz, Trijicon, Trueview EVS, Umicore, Ulirvision, Universal Avionics, Vision Sensing, Vital Optics, Williamson, Yukon Optical, Zoox, Zytemp.
TABLES IN THE REPORT
Table 1.1 FIVE YEAR MARKET FORECAST FOR WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL & DUAL-USE INFRARED IMAGING EQUIPMENT
Table 3.1 PROPERTIES OF INFRARED DETECTOR MATERIALS
Table 3.2 CHRONOLOGY OF INFRARED FPA PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS
Table 3.3 CHRONOLOGY OF INFRARED FPA PRODUCT INTRODUCTIONS (Continued)
Table 3.4 MEMS Structures used in uncooled FPAs
Table 7.1 FIVE YEAR MARKET FORECAST FOR WORLDWIDE COMMERCIAL & DUAL-USE INFRARED IMAGING EQUIPMENT
Table 7.2 FIVE YEAR MARKET FORECAST FOR COMMERCIAL AND DUAL-USE COOLED INFRARED IMAGING EQUIPMENT BY APPLICATION (NORTH AMERICA)
Table 7.3 FIVE YEAR MARKET FORECAST FOR COMMERCIAL AND DUAL-USE COOLED INFRARED IMAGING EQUIPMENT BY APPLICATION (REST OF WORLD)
Table 7.4 FIVE YEAR MARKET FORECAST FOR COMMERCIAL AND DUAL-USE UNCOOLED INFRARED IMAGING EQUIPMENT BY APPLICATION (NORTH AMERICA)
Table 7.5 FIVE YEAR MARKET FORECAST FOR COMMERCIAL AND DUAL-USE UNCOOLED INFRARED IMAGING EQUIPMENT BY APPLICATION (REST OF WORLD)
Table 7.6 INFRARED Markets by Geographic Region OVER THE LAST 15 YEARS
Table 8.1 RECENT COMPANY CHANGES (ACQUISITIONS, NEW COMPANIES, COMPANY NEWS)
Table 8.2 RECENT COMPANY CHANGES (continued) (ACQUISITIONS, NEW COMPANIES, COMPANY NEWS)
Table 8.3 Worldwide Market Shares for Suppliers of Commercial and Dual-Use Infrared Imaging Equipment
Table 8.4 Worldwide Market Shares for Suppliers of Commercial-ONLY Infrared Imaging Equipment
Table 8.5 Worldwide Market Shares for Suppliers of UNCOOLED THERMOGRAPHY Equipment
Table 8.6 WORLDWIDE Market Shares for Suppliers of THERMAL IMAGING CAMERAS (TIC) FOR FIREFIGHTING
Table 8.7 U.S. Market Shares for Suppliers of thermal IMAGING CAMERAS (TIC) FOR FIREFIGHTING
Table 8.8 WORLDWIDE Market Shares for Suppliers of HANDHELD thermal IMAGING CAMERAS (TIC) FOR FIREFIGHTING
Table 8.9 WORLDWIDE Market Shares for Suppliers of INFRARED IMAGING CAMERAS AND SYSTEMS USED FOR SECURITY/SURVEILLANCE
Table 8.10 WORLDWIDE Market Shares for Suppliers of UNCOOLED FOCAL PLANE ARRAYS AND MODULES
Table 8.11 WORLDWIDE Market Shares for Suppliers of InGaAs FOCAL PLANE ARRAYS AND MODULES.
Table 8.12 COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS of InGaAs FOCAL PLANE ARRAYS AND CAMERAS
Table 8.13 MARKET GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR InGaAs FOCAL PLANE ARRAYS AND CAMERAS ($, Millions)
Table 8.14 MARKET SHARES FOR SUPPLIERS OF EXTENDED SWIR (eSWIR) FPAS
Table 8.15 MARKET SHARES FOR SUPPLIERS OF OPTICAL GAS IMAGING EQUIPMENT
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