MEMs market poised for explosive growth

The market for micro-electromechanical systems (MEMs) is poised for major growth, according to a new report from iSuppli

Sales are projected to reach $1.6bn (£1.03bn) in 2010, up 29.7 per cent from $1.2bn (£777m) last year, and to hit $2.6bn by 2014, a compound annual growth rate of around 20 per cent.

"The rapid growth of high-value MEMs is being driven by global trends that highlight the unique value proposition that the tiny devices bring to countless applications," said Richard Dixon, a senior analyst at iSuppli.

"For instance, MEMs micro-valves, pressure sensors and flow sensors are used to help reduce energy consumption in industrial processes, residential heating and transportation systems.

"In China, fibre deployments in the country are helping stimulate the overall global optical MEMS market for telecommunications."

Around half of the MEMs market is made up of high-end automation and manufacturing sales, particularly in the semiconductor business.

Medical electronics are in second place, followed by aerospace/defence in third and wired communications in fourth.

The growing need for more energy efficient production, spurred by global warming fears and the rapidly ageing Western population, are powerful spurs to the MEMs market, iSuppli said.