Global market for piezoelectric-operated actuators and motors to reach $12.3 billion by 2014

NEW YORK, USA: A confluence of new piezo-based technology has breathed new capability into the nano- and micro-positioning world. Piezo actuation is increasingly suitable for applications formerly addressable only by magnetic motors, and the technology offers significant benefits in terms of size, speed, fieldlessness, reliability, vacuum compatibility, resolution and dynamics.

These benefits, in turn, enable significant advances in existing and new applications. Piezomotors and actuators typically eliminate any need for gear reduction because they drive loads directly. Piezoelectric actuators have been commercialized in various areas such as information technology, robotics, biomedical engineering, automotive, ecological and energy engineering.

According to a recently published report from iRAP, Inc., ET112: Piezoelectric Actuators and Motors – Types, Applications, New Developments, Industry Structure and Global Markets, the global market for piezoelectric-operated actuators and motors was estimated to be $6.6 billion in 2009 and is estimated to reach $12.3 billion by 2014, showing an average annual growth rate (AAGR) of 13.2 percent per year.Source: iRAP, USA.

The market for piezoelectric-operated actuators and motors in ultra-small scale precision motion related applications will be the largest segment, estimated to have reached $3,200 million (48.6 percent share) in 2009 and projected to reach $6,000 million in 2014, for an AAGR of 13.4 percent. The other major segment includes phone cameras, digital cameras, microscope lenses, mirrors and optics, estimated at $2,800 million (42.5 percent share) in 2009 and $5,200 million in 2014, for an AAGR of 13.1 percent.

The remaining 8.9 percent ($587 million) is a third market segment consisting of auto fuel injectors, micro-pumps, micro-blowers, printer cartridges, surgical instruments, mini-robots, etc.). In 2014, this market segment will have a share of 8.7 percent ($1,090 million).

The manufacturers of optics, photonics and nanometrology equipment have been the major consumers of piezoelectric-operated motors and actuators.

Life sciences and medical technology also constitute a high-growth segment of the piezoelectric-operated actuators and motors market. This area is expected to grow at 18.7 percent annually and could record an even higher growth rate if there is wider acceptance by end users. It is still going through a gestation period.
Over the projected period of five years, market share of piezoelectric-operated actuators and motors will increase, taking share from electromagnetic motors.

In terms of types, bulk PZT material-based piezo actuators and motors have the highest market share at 98 percent, with a market of $6.455 billion in 2009; this segment will grow at an AAGR 12.4 percent to reach $11.6 billion in 2014. Thick-film PZT used in piezo actuators and motors reached a market of $65.83 million in 2009, approximately 1 percent of the total, and will show an AAGR of 30.1 percent to reach $245.8 billion in 2014.

Fiber composites used in actuators and motors had a market of $39.52 million in 2009, and by 2014, with an AAGR of 50.7 percent, the segment will reach $307.2 million in sales. Lead-free ceramics used in actuators and motors had a market of $26.345 million in 2009 and is expected to reach $123 million by 2014, for an AAGR of 36 percent.

In terms of regional market share, North America leads, with 40.5 percent in 2009, followed by Europe with 34 percent, Japan with 20 percent, and the balance 5.5 percent for China and the rest of the world.