Anders Hansson • HMS Industrial Networks
Industrial Ethernet is growing faster than before and now accounts for 38% of the market. Ethernet/IP is in first place within industrial Ethernet globally, followed by Profinet. However, classic fieldbuses still dominate the fragmented world of industrial networks, and Profibus is still the most widely used industrial network. Furthermore, the Internet of Things is driving wireless technologies.
Fieldbuses still growing
Looking at new installed nodes within factory automation globally, fieldbuses are still the most widely used type of networks with 58% of the market. Fieldbuses are still growing by approximately 7% per year as users ask for simplicity, tradition and reliability. The dominant fieldbus is Profibus (17% of the total world market including industrial Ethernet) followed by Modbus (7%) and CC-Link (6%).
Industrial Ethernet growing faster
Industrial Ethernet is growing faster than previous years and taking more market share. At a growth rate of 20%, Ethernet now makes up for 38% of the global market compared to 34% last year. Ethernet/IP is the number one Ethernet network with 9% followed by Profinet (8%). Runners-up are EtherCAT, Modbus-TCP and Ethernet Powerlink.
There is evidence of an accelerated shift to industrial Ethernet for new installed nodes. However, industrial automation is a conservative market and it will take time before industrial Ethernet outgrows fieldbuses.
Wireless is coming
Wireless technologies are 4% of the worldwide industrial network market. WLAN is most popular, followed by Bluetooth. The Internet of Things is a driver for wireless technologies as it opens up new automation architectures and is increasingly considered for machine connectivity and control, especially for arrangements that include data access through tablets and smartphones.
Regional facts
In Europe and the Middle East, Profibus is the leading network, while Profinet has the fastest growth rate. Runners-up are EtherCAT, Modbus-TCP and Powerlink.
The U.S. market is dominated by the CIP networks where Ethernet/IP is overtaking DeviceNet in terms of market shares. In Asia, no network stands out as truly market-leading—Profibus, Profinet, Ethernet/IP, Modbus and CC-Link are widely used. EtherCAT continues to establish itself as a significant network, and there are early signs of CC-Link IE Field being adopted.
HMS Industrial Networks
www.anybus.com
Filed Under: CONNECTIVITY • fieldbuses • networks • gateways, MORE INDUSTRIES, MOTION CONTROL
Jennifer,
Does this graph represent the U.S. market, or the global distribution? The “Regional facts” section implies that the distribution would be different. My company is a global manufacturer, so regional vs global distribution of fieldbus is a product development differentiator.
Thank you