Market Profile: Nondispersive Infrared Photometers

Nondispersive infrared (NDIR) photometers are relatively simple instruments used to detect gases. They work by shining an IR beam through a gas sample and measuring the amount of IR light absorbed by the sample at a particular wavelength, which provides the volumetric concentration of a gas in a sample. The instruments typically use photoacoustic detectors, interference filter correlation, and gas filter correlation technologies that will measure constituents absorbing IR energy in the 2–11 μm wavelength range.

The main applications for NDIR analyzers are process monitoring and control and environmental monitoring (primarily continuous emissions monitoring systems [CEMS]). The process control segment represents the lion’s share of the NDIR market, while the environmental monitoring segment has seen strong demand lately because of replacements and upgrades of aging CEMS installations. Other applications include low-cost instruments for heat treating and original equipment manufacturer (OEM) applications as well as more expensive units for automotive engineering studies and mobile source compliance testing.

Multichannel NDIR analyzers built as parts of microprocessor controlled analyzer platforms that use various continuous gas analysis (CGA) modules such as paramagnetic and electrochemical oxygen sensors, thermal conductivity detectors, chemiluminescence detectors, and flame ionization detectors will continue to be an important part of the product mix. With platform-based products available from NDIR suppliers, these highly functional products are quite popular and have achieved a significant market position.

Overall demand for NDIR instruments had been weak for the past few years because of the softness in chemicals, petroleum, and metals and minerals industries, which more than offset growth from the pharmaceutical, environmental, and semiconductor markets. ABB, which reported to have more than 30,000 installations, is estimated to lead the market. Emerson and Siemens are also significant players, particularly for process control and environmental monitoring applications. Horiba is a leading supplier, chiefly in the automotive industry. The demand for NDIR instruments is forecasted to increase for 2018, fueled by growth in the chemicals and energy markets.

Worldwide NDIR demand (2015-2017).

Market size and growth estimates were adopted from PAI/2016, a market report covering process analytical instrumentation offered by independent market research firm Top-Down Analytics. For more information, contact Glenn Cudiamat, general manager, at (888) 953-5655 or glenn.cudiamat@tdaresearch.com. Glenn is a market research expert who has been covering the analytical instrumentation industry for more than 20 years.