The COVID-19 outbreak has led to business shutdowns, unemployment, and unprecedented drops in the gross domestic product (GDP) across many countries. The shift in demands for several electronics end applications due to the COVID-19 has significantly hit the sensors market. However, authorities and key players are working hard to maintain the current market growth and preparing for industry’s evolution post-crisis.

Gas sensors are extremely useful in identifying harmful gases present in the environment. They are equipped with a highly sensitive sensing element powered through connecting leads and the alarm sound informs people about the severity of the gas leak. Gas sensors are used to identify a variety of gases such as toxic gases, combustible gases, and flammable gases in various industries such as process and manufacturing, chemicals, metals, electricity and power, food and beverage, and transportation.

Increasing adoption of HVAC systems and rising air pollution levels has accelerated the global demand for gas sensors from critical industries to monitor the air quality. Governmental focus on industrial hygiene and safety is expected to create new opportunities for the manufacturers of gas sensors. Apart from this, the development of smart cities across the globe provides an impetus to the market growth.

Government Regulations to Reduce Hazardous Gas Emissions in Various Industrial Verticals to Drive the Market Growth

Rapidly expanding semiconductor industry, development of high-end features in sensor devices, and technological advancements are fuelling the demand for gas sensors globally. Government enforced regulations on industries and mining, and other activities to reduce emissions are projected to accelerate the market growth. Apart from this, rising demand for continuous and real-time monitoring is subsequently increasing the adoption of miniaturized photoionization detectors (PIDs) and non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) sensors for CO2 or combustible gas.   

Risk of Leakages in Emerging Industries and Factories in the APAC Region to Drive the Market Growth

High cost of gas sensors was already a restricting factor, which is further escalated by the ongoing pandemic that has caused disruption in the supply chain. This issue is further accompanied by innovations and low product differentiation. However, its advanced features such as wireless capabilities and miniaturization, coupled with improved communication, enable various devices and machines to inform about leaks.

In 2012, carbon monoxide alarms became mandatory in all households in Northern Ireland, after 123 people were admitted to hospital due to a deadly household gas leak. With rapid industrialization, the risks of hazardous gas leakages are significantly high, which is why the market is expected to gain rapid speed in countries such as the U.S., China, India, and Germany. Poor working conditions and improper management in industries and mines in low economic countries offer lucrative growth opportunities to market growth.

Impact of COVID-19 on Gas Sensors Market: Segmentation

Electrochemical Gas Sensors Speedy Response Towards Gas Leak to Drive the Segment Growth

The electrochemical gas sensing technology segment dominates the gas sensors market owing to its fewer power requirements and less vulnerability to environmental changes. Electrochemical sensor’s ability to improve indoor air quality, control the emission of harmful gases, and detect landfill gases provides an impetus to the segment growth. Rising demand to measure gases such as methane, carbon dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (VOC), such as acetylene, benzene, and butane, accelerates the infrared gas sensors segment growth. These sensors are primarily used in chemical and petrochemical and oil and gas industries owing to their fast speed of response in the case of leakage of combustible gases.

Medical and Healthcare Segment to Grow with the Highest CAGR during the Forecast Period

The medical and healthcare segment is projected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Advantages of gas sensors such as versatility, detection of oxygen concentration and other harmful gases, and numerous patient care capabilities is driving market demand. There is an increase in demand for multifunctional medical equipment during the 2019 coronavirus pandemic. The demand is expected to decline in the next few months as hospitals are postponing purchases to improve liquidity. However, protection of patients and hospital infrastructure from leakages of harmful gases that are directly related to the management especially during the COVID-19 crisis, is expected to witness a limited range of market adoption.

Strict regulations and working conditions imposed by the government to ensure occupational health in light of the pandemic and wide usage of gas detection for the detection and monitoring of combustible and toxic gases drives the segment growth. Similarly, rising investments in medical electronics, aerospace equipment, power and energy products, as well as upgrades to lighting solutions, provides an impetus to the segment growth. Other sectors such as automotive and transportation, building and construction, oil, gas and chemicals and food and beverage are also anticipated to contribute significant shares to the market growth

Regional Outlook

Japan, China, and India to Be Leading Contributors to Asia-Pacific’s Market Growth

The amalgamation of mature and emerging markets in the APAC region is expected to register a rapid growth rate in the gas sensor market during the forecast period. The fastest-growing automotive industry of China and India is significantly driving the gas sensors market growth. The Indian pharmaceutical industry supplies about 50% of the global xxxx demand. They use a variety of solvents and gases in the manufacturing process, which further raises the demand for gas sensors.

The expansion of large medical device manufacturing base and increasing demand for better healthcare system after the disastrous impact of the COVID-19 provides an impetus to the regional market growth. Japan is another significant investment site for the gas sensor manufacturers as the country is extensively investing in the smart transportation sector, smart cities and building automation, power stations, oil and gas, and chemical applications. Apart from this, government activities to reduce air pollution drive the demand for gas sensors in the Asia Pacific region.  

Key Players

• Honeywell Analytics
• MSA Safety
• Amphenol
• Figaro
• Alphasense
• Sensirion AG
• AKM

Recent Developments

• In November 2019, Sensirion AG, a sensor manufacturer, developed a new mass flow meter for measuring oxygen (O₂) and laughing gas (N₂O) levels. The product is anticipated to commercialize by the mid-2020.
• In August 2019, Emerson Electric, Co. Ltd., an American technology leader, launched two new Rosemount 628 Universal Wireless Gas Sensors to detect three gases carbon monoxide, oxygen, and hydrogen sulfide simultaneously.
• In March 2019, Amphenol, the U.S. based Fiber optic cable manufacturing company, launched the Telaire T3022 series of CO₂
• In January 2019, NGK Spark Plug Co., Ltd. acquired Caire Inc., a manufacturer of oxygen sensors, to expand its product portfolio with oxygen sensors.
• In January 2019, Firago Engineering Inc. revealed its new digital TGS8101 IAQ, an ultra-compact gas sensor, which consists a metal oxide compound assembled for high operating temperatures to detect VOCs and alcohol gas.
• In June 2018, Japan’s New Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd. launched gas detectors and alarms to ensure the safe use of liquefied natural gas (LNG) with digital signage displays.
• In February 2018, the U.S. Underwriters Laboratories released two new smoke alarm and detector UL 217 and UL 268, focused on minimizing false alarms and smoke detection.
• In August 2017, Cosmos Electric Co., Ltd. launched a range of gas detectors for the energy industry, such as portable combustible gas detector XP-3000 series, portable multi-gas detector XA-4400II, portable multi-gas detector XP-302M, personal CO/O2/H2S detector XX-2200 series, digital oxygen indicator XO-326IIS, portable VOC analyzer XG-100V, cart-type combustible gas detector XP-707IIIai, and fixed gas detector KD-12S

Impact of COVID-19 on Gas Sensors Market: Segmentation

By Technology

• Electrochemical
• Photoionization Detection (PID)
• Metal Oxide Semiconductor (MOS)

By End-User

• Automotive and Transportation
• Building and Construction
• Oil and Gas and Chemicals
• Medical and Healthcare
• Food and Beverage

By Region

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• SAMEA