IN DEPTH: Packaging industry spurs growth in servo motor market

The latest report from IMS Research shows continued accelerated growth for integrated motors sales around the world, driven by a huge need in the packaging industry.

Plant Engineering Staff

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Integrated motors sales into the packaging industry are forecasted to continue growing after a 48.8% growth in 2010, according to the study, The World Market for Integrated Motors, from IMS Research, shows the majority of integrated motors are incorporated into new machine designs and, coupled with a 14.6% increase in global packaging machinery production in 2010, the integrated motors market significantly benefitted. The AC servo integrated motors market shows the most significant growth into packaging with a 79.1% increase in revenues for 2010 due to increased flexibility and the dynamic functionality of the motor.

Jenalee Howell, research group manager for IMS Research’s Motor Controls Group, talked with CFE Media about the immediate outlook for the market, and where that growth is coming from:

CFE: In your view, what’s behind the big surge in servo motor sales?

Howell: IMS Research believes the growth of integrated motors in the packaging industry is due to primarily to a recovery from the recession and growth in machinery production for 2010. Since most integrated motors are incorporated into new machines as more machines are built the sales of integrated motors will increase. Servo motors specifically are commonly used in the packaging industry due to the dynamic capabilities of the motors.

CFE: Is energy usage an important factor in the motor sales growth, or is it more market expansion?

Howell: Most of the growth is market expansion and only AC induction integrated motors are impacted by mandates for energy use. The AC servo integrated motor market accounted for only 2.2% of the total world AC servo motor market in 2009. This shows that there is potential for market expansion in the future but IMS Research believes that the market for integrated motors will remain a niche market.

In addition, IMS Research believes there is potential growth for the integrated AC induction motors market due to the ErP Act in Europe, which is mandating a transition to more efficient motors. The act mandates companies to switch from an IE2 motor to an IE3 OR to an IE2 motor with a variable speed drive by 2015.

CFE: How about regionally? Where are the hot spots for sales growth?

Howell: IMS Research forecast that the highest growth will be in Germany with a 13.2% average annual growth rate from 2009 to 2015. The second highest forecast growth is the United States with a 12.1% average annual growth rate from 2009 to 2015. Both of these countries have strong markets for the packaging industry.

CFE: There seems to be very little slowdown in growth in both emerging and developed markets. How long do we see this trend continuing?

Howell: The forecasts for machinery production are strong through to 2015. In the case for integrated motors, 2010 showed rapid growth due a recovery from the recession, with a 34.5% average annual growth rate, while the growth profile shows a return to normal growth by 2015, with a 5.2% average annual growth rate.