Methane Sensors Market - Forecasts from 2023 to 2028

The methane sensor market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.15% during the forecast period

Methane sensors are devices designed to detect and measure the presence of methane gas in the environment. The common types of methane sensors include catalytic bead sensors and non-dispersive infrared sensors which are used in water treatment plants, semiconductor manufacturing, mining applications, and oil refineries to detect methane leaks and ensure safety by preventing explosions or environmental hazards.

Market Drivers

Increased Water Treatment Activity

The use of methane sensors in water treatment plants becomes crucial to monitor and detect any methane emissions. Methane sensors enable water treatment plants to assess their methane emissions accurately and identify areas for improvement in their processes. The investments laid to improve water treatment plants are anticipated to drive growth in the methane sensor industry. In March 2023, for instance, the US provincial government provided $250 million in initial funding to Metro Vancouver Regional District towards the first phase of work to build the new replacement and expanded Iona Island Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Rising Methane Emissions

Water treatment plants can take immediate corrective actions to prevent environmental pollution and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promptly identifying and quantifying methane leaks using methane sensors. This not only ensures compliance with environmental regulations but also demonstrates their commitment to sustainable practices. Furthermore, with growing concerns about climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, there is a rising emphasis on methane mitigation strategies. Rising methane emissions by water treatment plants drive market growth. According to the World Bank report, around 20% of global methane emissions are from wastewater and landfills.

Rise in Semiconductor Manufacturing

Semiconductor manufacturing processes involve various gases, and methane can be present as a byproduct or impurity in these gas mixtures. Methane sensors play a critical role in semiconductor manufacturing facilities by detecting and monitoring any methane leaks or emissions. The investments to increase semiconductor production are propelling the methane sensor market growth. In August 2022, Qualcomm and GlobalFoundries together announced an investment of $4.2 billion to manufacture semiconductor chips and aimed to achieve semiconductor production in the U.S. by up to 50% over the next five years. Furthermore, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA), global semiconductor industry sales totaled $574.1 billion in 2022 which was an increase of 3.3% from the previous year.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to hold a significant market share of the methane sensors market

The Asia-Pacific region holds a share of the methane sensors market due to rising water treatment projects, and a high rate of semiconductor manufacturing and demand in the region. In December 2022, for example, the Chinese government planned to contribute a 1 trillion yuan incentive package to support its semiconductor industry. Moreover, in October 2021, under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) 2.0, Rs.15,883 crore had been allocated to States/UTs for wastewater/used water management, including the setting up of sewage treatment plants (STPs)/effluent treatment plants (ETPs). These developments need methane sensors to detect methane leaks and ensure safety, thereby enlarging the regional methane sensors market size.

The availability of alternative technology restrains the methane sensor market growth

Alternative technologies that offer methane detection capabilities, such as optical gas imaging cameras or other gas detection methods, can compete with traditional methane sensors. The availability of these alternatives creates a competitive landscape, where potential buyers may choose alternative technologies instead of methane sensors. This increased competition can negatively impact the methane sensors industry. For example, the GPro 500 methane (CH4) gas analyzer is a unique TDL spectrometer designed for the direct measurement of methane in syngas and selected natural gas measurement applications.

Market Developments

• In March 2023: Winson Electronics launched the laser methane sensors that used a laser beam to detect methane gas in the air with high speed and accuracy in remote or hard-to-reach areas, and could be used in applications like natural gas pipelines, underground storage water, etc. Such a product launch has enabled Winston Electronics to expand its presence in the methane sensors market.
• In March 2022: Gas Sensing Solutions introduced a new methane sensor at the Sensor+Test2022 forum that used ultra-bright LEDs and a patent-pending internal architecture to deliver unrivalled accuracy and low power consumption.
• In March 2022: Figaro Engineering Inc. launched the battery-operated "TGS8410 methane gas sensor" with the lowest power consumption and filter material in their housing to eradicate the effect of interference gases.
• In 2021: Researchers from Princeton University and the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory jointly prepared “ICLED-based sensors” which allowed practical and low-cost detection of low concentrations of methane gas. The sensor product could be used to detect leaks across a landfill, petrochemical facility, wastewater treatment plant, or farm.

Segmentation

By Type

• Catalytic Bead Sensors
• Non-Dispersive Infrared Sensors

By Detection Limit

• Up to 1 ppm
• 2 ppm to 5 ppm
• Above 5 ppm

By Application

• Water Treatment Plant
• Semiconductor Manufacturing
• Mining Application
• Oil Refineries
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• UK
• France
• Spain
• Others
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Others
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• South Korea
• India
• Australia
• Other